Thane and Stellan step forward together, their combined presence shifts the air.
“Transport’s ready,” Stellan says. “Enough for us and whoever’s coming. There’s another safehouse near the border Mo told me about last night. We can regroup there after.”
Bree’s jaw tightens, her gaze sweeping over all of us. “Well, let’s go find her. Then we get on the road.”
No hesitation. No question.
Everyone moves at once—grabbing gear, weapons, whatever they need. The bar transforms from a safehouse into a staging ground in seconds.
Bree heads for the door first, and one by one, we follow.
I catch her eye as we step outside into the fading light.
She gives me a quick smile—grateful, warm—and it hits like the first warm day after rain.
For the first time since the crown, I don’t feel hungry.
I feeluseful.
Whatever’s waiting for us out there, she’s not walking into it alone.
We’re done waiting.
This time, the Ether moves with us.
Chapter 29
Bree
The clearing appears through the trees just as the sun dips below the horizon, washing orange and violet across the sky. Nyx is there, slumped against a fallen tree, one hand still loosely curled around a dagger.
I signal the others to hold back. Gray and Rhett left, Jace and Wes right, Theo and Seth behind. Thane and Stellan stay close, watching.
I let my Ether slip forward, silver threads drifting through the air. They curl around Nyx’s sleeping form—not binding, not threatening. Just holding.
Her eyes snap open.
She jerks upright, dagger flashing into her hand as her gaze darts wildly around the clearing. She sees us—all of us—surrounding her, and panic flares across her face.
“Don’t—” she starts, voice sharp with fear and fury.
The Ether tightens slightly. Not painful. Just… immovable.
She tries to lunge forward and can’t. Tries to shift left. Nothing. The realization hits, and her breathing goes shallow and fast.
“Let me go,” she hisses, eyes blazing.
“Not yet.” I keep my voice calm, steady. “You were looking for me. Here I am.”
She freezes. Her gaze snaps to mine, searching.
“So let’s talk,” I say.
For a long moment, she just stares at me. Then her shoulders drop, just slightly, and the fight bleeds out of her posture.
“Fine.” She lowers the dagger but doesn’t sheath it. “The Ashen Oath. It’s not working.”
I blink. “What do you mean it’s not working?”
