Emotion clogs my throat. “I’m sorry.”
“Even without the prophecy, your life is just as valuable as mine or anyone else’s. If you spend your whole life trying to keep everyone else happy, you’ll end up failing them all. Youneedto pursue your own happiness as well.”
I nod, but she frowns at me. “Use your words. Tell me you understand, because I don’t have much time left.”
“I understand,” I say, and I genuinely mean it. I always put others first. I pushed Wilder away to protect him and traded my soul to free Aradia. By doing these things, I saved the people I love, but now I’m empty inside. Selflessness isn’t the same as sacrifice; there’s a middle ground I have refused to acknowledge.
Aradia smiles. “Good.”
“What does it feel like?” As I ask, her form flickers, like a light about to go out.
“Like open arms welcoming me home.”
“I’m glad,” I say a tad breathlessly.
“I will beseech the gods for your release from this place,” she vows. “I promise?—”
She disappears.
The prophecy was real. My people will suffer if I stay here. I’m getting out.
“Let me the fuck out,” I scream, my voice echoing. “Kosac, I know damn well you can hear me.”
He’s probably watching me now, enjoying the show, like how he watched me push Wilder away at the river. He’s the eyes and ears of this realm. It probably amuses him that I’m trapped. He has my soul, my future happiness, and all to spite the gods who spited him. Fuck him.
“Kos—”
“Leigh!” Wilder’s voice cuts through my rage like scissors through silk.
I freeze. Unable to believe my ears. Wilder didn’t leave.
“Leigh. Answer me.”
Hope flutters in my chest. “Wilder.”
“Where are you?” he calls.
I grip the bars tighter. After I tore him down and pushed him away, he came back for me. He shouldn’t be here. This realm is destroying him, and I shouldn’t be glad he’s here, but gods, I am.
I love him deeply, and I never want to be apart again.
“Here!” I press against the bars, straining to see him through the shadows.
Moments later, he’s standing in front of me with the thick bars between us where Aradia previously stood. His clothes are wet, his hair glued to his unnaturally pale skin, water dripping from his chin. Pain and doubt shine from his eyes. Emotions I put there. Seeing him takes my breath away.
“I’m so sorry,” I say, the words tumbling out in a rush.
He shakes his head, eyes scanning the cell. “Later.”
“I didn’t mean what I said.” I keep going despite his protests. He’s sizing up the bars, not meeting my gaze, his hands testing the lock’s strength. “I said those things to get you to go home. You don’t belong here. Mictlan is killing you. I wanted to save you. And I do want to marry you. It’s the only thing that has brought me joy throughout this entire ordeal.”
Wilder’s hands wrap around the metal. “Say that last part again.”
His grin is contagious. “I want to marry you.”
“Then let’s go get fucking married.”
He makes it sound simple and inevitable.
