Slate rushed out and swept me up into an embrace. “I'm a little disappointed that I didn't get to kill her, but I can live with that.”
“Live, being the keyword,” Darc said as he came over with the rest of my men. “Good to have you safe, Slate.”
“Thanks. Although, I was probably the safest one here.” Slate grimaced. “I felt very inadequate in there.”
“Been there,” I commiserated, then smirked. “In fact, you were the one whoputme there.”
Slate kissed me and set me down. “Will you never let go of that, woman?”
“Nope.” I smiled brightly. “I will hold it over your head forever, Zone Lord.”
“I guess I can live with that too,” he said softly and nuzzled my cheek. “As long as forever includes you.”
“Deal.”
“So, who killed her?” Slate looked at Eleanor's headless corpse, then around the room. His gaze landed on Verin—freshly-shifted back to human and very naked. “Ah. I see. In fact, I'm seeing a bit too much. Can someone coverthat?” He waved toward Verin.
One of the male witches fished a scarf out of Eleanor's dresser and tossed it to the Blue Dragon. Verin grunted in appreciation and wrapped it around his waist like a towel.
“I'm putting you on kitchen duty for a week for that,” Glinda growled at the helpful witch.
Verin stepped over to us. He stared at me. I stared back. Slate stared back and forth between us, then let me go so I could face Verin without being surrounded by Gargoyle-ness. I didn't put any emotion into my gaze. I didn't want to push Verin further. It was time to let go. The battle was over. He'd done what he promised to do and got his vengeance.
Verin's face twisted and he growled, “Make her stop, Elaria.”
“What?” I frowned. “Who?”
“The RS!” he snapped. “She's talking in my head inyourvoiceand she won't stop. I've made my decision and nothing either of you say will change my mind. You need to respect that.”
“I do respect that.” Then, out loud so he could hear me, I added, “RS, cut it out. It's over.” I let him see how much those words cost me. “Release your hold on him.”
Verin sighed in relief. His stare was cool blue.
“Thank you for all you've done for me, King Verin.” I held my hand out to him.
Verin looked down at my hand, scowled, and shook it. He let go and looked up at me, his stare scanning my face. His jaw clenched and he swallowed visibly. “Goodbye, Queen Elaria.”
The Blue Dragon disappeared—out of the room and out of my life.
I let out a shaky breath. It was over.
“Come on”—Slate took my hand with his clawed one—“let's go catch a tiger.”
Chapter Fifty-Three
We found Odin and the other witches waiting for us on the beach. They were sitting on the sand naked, arms wrapped around their knees to cover the most important bits while they stared at the sea. When we stepped out of the tree line, the younger witches gave cries of relief but Odin only grimaced.
“It's about time someone showed up,” Odin grumbled. “What are we doing here? I've been enchanted, haven't I?”
We sent one of the witches back to the bunker to grab some clothes. Declan graciously gave Helen—the single female in the naked witch group—his jacket to wear while she waited. Meanwhile, Vivian explained what had happened. Eleanor's spell didn't work quite as well as she'd expected; Odin and the other enchanted witches remembered everything up to arriving on the island. So, Vivian only had to explain what occurred from there forward. When she got to Eleanor's death, Odin nodded at her but glanced at me with a question in his eye. I shook my head. He could see for himself that Verin was gone, I shouldn't have to explain it.
Once the naked witches were clothed—or covered with scarves as was the case with the men—we left Eleanor's island. The witches used their elements to return to Coven Cay while Cerberus, my men, and I went to Kyanite. We arrived in my tower's living room. Slate immediately shifted back to normal and Darc took him upstairs to find some clothes for Slate to borrow. Once everyone was comfortable, we poured some drinks and celebrated our victory.
“You still want me to keep an eye on Lucifer?” Cerberus asked as we settled on the couches near the balcony.
“Was he acting abnormally while you were there?” I countered.
“Nah.” Cerberus made a face and took a swig. “He asked about you a lot, but he always does that.”
