Kimber peeked out from where Rilen and Roran had shoved her behind them, her eyes wide on the carnage before me. Rilen’s and Roran’s faces were carefully blank, their arms crossed over their chests.
Dorian blinked, scanning my eyes closely—even though he spoke to his twin. “What the hell have you gotten yourself into, brother? She isjustlike you.”
“A lifetime of adventures.” Belshazzar laughed outright. “I’ve learned my soul mate is never dull.”
Chapter Thirty
GWYNNORE
“My ass hurts,”I griped, rubbing at my derrière. The horse ride from the train station to here was not pleasant, the terrain rocky and dangerous. “My horse was aliteralpain in the ass. First thing they should do here is work on the damn roads and start making transportation advancements.”
“Hush.” Belshazzar laughed softly. “The others are about to step out of the Gate. It is a first for almost all of them.”
“And three thousand years for me,” Dorian stated quietly, his eyes transfixed on the ocean he could see through the Gate. He stepped forward, almost hesitantly, like the ocean would disappear if he went any closer. “Is the mist still friendly?”
“Of course.” Bel smirked.
I shuddered. The mist was weird.
It liked to hug and shit.
You know, stuff mist shouldn’t do.
Dorian steeled up a chest full of oxygen and marched forward, barking over his shoulder, “It is time.”
Roran chuckled softly, whispering to me, “It is time. Did you hear?”
“Yes, I heard.” I rolled my eyes heavenward.
Here we go again. Going to save the world.
I had better not get fucking kidnapped again.
Rilen shoved his twin in the back. “Quit joking around, and move your ass.”
Kimber and Aiko followed directly behind Dorian while Rilen and Roran trailed them.
I shook my head and whispered under my breath too quietly for anyone else to hear, “How the fuck does she handle all of that testosterone?”
“Happily, from what I’ve heard.” Belshazzar snorted softly. “Veryhappily.”
I scrunched my face, revolted. “That loud?”
“Worse.” Belshazzar grabbed my hand and pulled me along behind him. His eyes held mine. “Are you prepared for this? It’s time to be the queen again.”
“I’m as prepared as I can be,” I stated honestly, turning my attention to our linked hands. Our boots dug into the sand and crushed broken clamshells while we hiked across the beach, the sun shining down on us this time. I stared at our joined fingers the entire way, even when the mist curled up against my ankles, saying hello. “Bel? I’m not sure I’m prepared forthis, though.”
He glanced down to our hands, then back up to my eyes. Belshazzar stated softly, “We’ll take it slow.”
“We aren’t very good at slow.” My attention caught on his eyes, a crooked grin lighting up my features. “Since I first met you, we’ve been head first.”
“We’ll dip our toes this time,” King Belshazzar soothed. “Can you do that?”
“I…think so.” My eyes never left his. I declared very softly—brutally honest, “I don’t want to be scared of this.”
“You are stronger than you think.” Belshazzar stared from beneath his long lashes. “Have faith in yourself. It will take you far.”
Dorian pointed at the tender, shouting over the waves, “This is the boat we are taking to Earth? There is no sail to catch wind. It doesn’t even have oars to row. Is this a joke?”
