“Other candidates are still trapped in the Underworld, being hunted by sentient trains in the maze,” Rowan said, his arm wrapped around Sy’s waist as she perched on his lap like she was claiming territory. So unnecessary. “My girl filled me in on the way here.”
Louis and Silas scowled so hard I worried their faces might stay that way. The fae prince’s silver eyes flashed a clear warning at the shifter and vampire heirs.
Silas moved around, his wolf too agitated to settle. Louis licked his fangs, his gaze lingering on Sy and me, though he was smart enough not to act on whatever hunger stirred in him.His attention seemed mostly fixed on Sy now. Killian and I had formed a complete, unbreakable bond, but Sy and Rowan’s bond remained unsealed—maybe they weren’t fated the same way we were.
“Sentient evil trains with murderous personalities,” Bea added, reaching for a plate of salad. “Some candidates have already been run over. We need to get the rest out.”
I set down my fork. “That’s why we came back, to get your help.”
All the heirs’ eyes were on fire.
“That’s the first order of business,” Killian declared. “Silas and I have claimed our thrones. Cade has his father’s support. The vampire court is still playing games, but they’ll fall in line.”
Louis nodded. “I’m working on it.”
“I won’t be any help in the fae court anymore,” Rowan admitted, “but I’m here. Whatever you need.”
“We’ll need to make sure the fae don’t stab us in the back when we go to war,” Silas added.
“The mages’ court can handle that,” Cade offered. “We’ll watch our backs.”
“No, let the vampire court take that role,” Louis countered. “My father loves political games. I’ll direct his attention toward the Kingdom of Fae—convince him their court is weakened and ripe for targeting. While the vampires are occupied with the fae, King Emyr won’t have the resources to sabotage us. Cade, you focus on reinforcing Killian’s and Silas’s forces.”
“Let’s go bring the candidates home safely,” Killian said, lightning crackling at his fingertips.
Cade rose, flames dancing along his wand. “With our united intent, we’ll void the Brides Selection. No more trials.”
“I’m sick of the fucking program anyway,” Silas grumbled.
“Let’s do this,” Louis agreed.
“Will it work?” Rowan asked, his usual formality slipping with exhaustion. “The Council and our parents will fight us every step of the way.”
“The Selection began to find us mates,” Cade said, his dimpled smile turning sharp. “It ends with us. We’ve all found what we were looking for, haven’t we?” His turquoise eyes shifted between me and Sy. “The One turned out to be two. The prophecy’s fulfilled, just not how anyone expected.”
Killian stood. “Blood vow?”
“Blood vow,” Cade confirmed. “Consider our position: two crowns, the Covenant sealed, and both the goddess and old magic allied with us. We are the authority.”
Louis rolled up his sleeve. “What are we waiting for? Every second we delay is another second the candidates are hunted by demon trains.”
Pucker materialized near the table, rubbing his hands together with the glee of a child on Christmas morning. “Oh, this is exciting! Historical! I am witnessing the end of an unbreakable tradition!”
“You’re witnessing us eating,” Sy said through a mouthful of pastry. She gestured with her chin. “Thehistoric partis happening over there.”
As one, the heirs moved to the room’s center, forming a circle. Power rippled off them in waves. Killian’s shimmering starlight wove with Cade’s sharp metallic energy. Silas’s raw, primal strength and water magic met the cool, swirling air of Louis’s vampire power, while Rowan’s deep, grounding earth magic completed the circle, locking the five elements into a single, potent pentagram.
Cami and Rock moved to man the door, hands resting on the hilts of their weapons to prevent any interference, even though no one dared to trespass.
The significance wasn’t lost on me. What the heirs were about to do would send shockwaves through every kingdom. There’d be retaliation, but it was the least of our concerns. The heirs might be arrogant, but they were badasses, each powerful in their own right.
Sy, Bea, and I remained at the table. Bea watched with her hands clasped so tightly her knuckles were white. Sy and I, however, had our priorities straight and kept eating. Who knew when we’d get another chance?
“We celebrate by eating,” Sy said, winking at Bea, who wore an incredulous look as if to ask how we could possibly have an appetite at such a pivotal moment in history.
“Do we need a reason for food?” I arched a brow and bit a chocolate cake in half.
Killian drew a ceremonial dagger from thin air and slashed his palm without hesitation. Blood welled, darker than normal and laced with silver threads of power. He passed the blade to Cade on his left.
