Delicate hands touched his cheek, void of arcane as Kyra blinked up at him with familiar amber eyes. A scream echoed behind, and he savoured the sound as the magic released him with a pop.
She wrapped her hands in his hair, pulling him closer until her lips claimed his in a kiss full of desperation and need. His control snapped, and he lifted her until she was forced to wrap her legs around his waist, her whole weight held in his arms. He kissed her as if he was a man starved, showing her exactly how much he craved her.
“Mine,” he growled, his beast howling in agreement. “You’re mine.”
Chapter32
Epilogue
KYRA
ONE MONTH LATER
“Where are you taking me?” Kyra asked as Xander guided her up another snow covered hill, the city glittering in the distance.
“You’ll see,” he said, his lips tipped in a crooked smile when he turned his head, the moon casting a glow against his sharp features. “I promise it will be worth the walk.”
Kyra tightened the coat around her shoulders, much to Xander’s amusement. Weeks had passed, and despite knowing both Dirk and Bane were dead she still had nightmares. She had woken up covered in sweat, her breathing laboured before an arm would wrap around her waist to pull her against a hard chest. She panicked when the arms tightened, but Xander was patient, helping her through her triggers until she sighed and relaxed back into sleep against his warmth.
It had been worse in her flat knowing Frederick was still out there, so after only a single night Xander had convinced her to stay with him. It had hurt to say goodbye to her only home, even though it was tainted. It had been her one place she called hers, her sanctuary.
She was only supposed to stay with Xander for a few days, yet she found herself there after all these weeks not wanting to leave. She knew she would have to eventually, to figure out what the next stage of her life was now she was no longer wanted by The Magicka.
Kyra waited as two thirds of the Triumvirate had taken their seats, ignoring the vacant space in the middle where Frederick should have been. She didn’t blame them for their hostility, not when they had barged into the building and demanded a meeting. She wasn’t in a court this time, but a conference room with a large table and glass wall, enforcers ready and waiting.
There had been an incident when she had been pushed into her seat, but as Xander growled a warning Kace had already punched the man out cold, and was promptly ejected from the room. The other enforcers had shared a look, and from that point they had kept their distance. It had made everyone on edge, including the remaining Triumvirate, but oddly calmed Kyra.
She wasn’t alone.
She had always been alone.
‘You need to trust me,’ Alice had whispered to her only moments before. ‘I have a plan.’
‘You never plan,’ Riley had laughed. ‘You just go in full guns blazing and hope for the best.’
It wasn’t a glowing endorsement, but Kyra had two options; to run and hide for the rest of her life, or to live. Hopefully.
“You have us here,” the female Triumvir said, her tone like steel. “I’m very surprised, but also interested in what you have to say. You took a great risk in returning here.” Her actual name was a mystery, as was the male who flicked his gaze across the few Guardians and Alice who had joined her. They never introduced themselves other than their titles, and Kyra never asked.
“My name is Kyra Farzan, and I’m a dark witch.”
The man nodded, but the woman frowned. “Miss Farzan, do you understand what you have just said? The Magicka do not take kindly to those who practice black magic. The punishment is severe, as you very well know.”
“I understand,” she replied, hoping her voice didn’t waver. “I am guilty of practicing black magic because I have to, to survive. It was something I was born with.”
“You deal in blood and death,” the man commented with a raised brow. “Look at what happened when you were in our custody.”
Kyra ignored the growl at her side, not wanting to break the eye contact. “I never hurt any of those people.” She reached beneath the table, finding Xander’s hand.
“We’re aware of your statement,” the woman said. “And the evidence that has been handed to us.”
Kyra bit her lip. “Then you understand I am innocent of everything but my birth. I will not apologise for something I can’t control.”
The female Triumvir pursed her lips. “There are laws for a reason.”
“Outdated rules that don’t reflect the newer generations. I have never intentionally hurt anyone, and yet I’m treated like a monster.”
“Because black magic is too dangerous,” the man said. “It could never be sanctioned.”
