Malix grins. “I could have shifted with my clothes on, but where is the fun in that?”
Finnick rolls his eyes. “Did you come to show off your attributes, or do you have news for us?”
“I came to deliver a message, actually, because apparently, Oziel thinks I’m his fucking messenger,” Malix says, cracking his neck. His hard tone indicates he doesn’t enjoy playing the part Oziel bestowed upon him. “This battle? It’s only the beginning. King Oziel and Queen Isabelle will call on your court soon, as Isabelle has things she must tell you. There’s a war brewing, bigger than this, and we must be ready.”
“Do you know anything else? Can you be more specific?” I hate talking in half truths. If he knows something, I would rather he tell us even if it’s bad. We must stay vigilant.
He only sighs, though. “Pixie Cove will need us. People will fall. Let us hope it’s not ours. Now, I must return home to my family. I’m certain I’ll be seeing you again very soon.”
And just like that, King Malix shifts into his beast and stretches his wings again before lifting off into the sky.The wind stirs as he vanishes, his dragons falling in line behind him.
We aren’t alone for long. Rip approaches us next, naked from the waist up. There’s a long gash across his chest, fresh blood flowing from it. It’s a surface wound that doesn’t seem to bother him much. “I’ll have food delivered to your court in the morning until you are able to produce your own again. If the curse is truly broken, the food shouldn’t spoil this time.”
I bow my head in respect. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet. Wait until this is all over, and you can thank me over a round of ales.”
Despite my exhaustion, I laugh. “Very well then.” I can only hope that time comes soon.
Rip acknowledges Evangeline with a tilt of his head. “My wife would like you. She also tends to not listen to the plan.” He smirks at that, causing Evangeline to blush. With a chuckle, he calls for his wolves, and they soon depart. Some limping and bleeding, but otherwise unscathed.
It’s a small miracle.
And suddenly, we are truly alone, save for the few fae who accompanied us. I look at Evangeline again. Her clothes are torn. Sand clings to her body, and her arm stays limp at her side. There’s a small cut on her cheek. She looks like hell, but she’s also never looked more beautiful to me than she does at this moment.
I walk back to her slowly, reaching for her hand, and she takes it without hesitation. I press her palm to my chest, over my heart. “Don’t ever do that again,” I whisper.
“No promises,” she whispers back, then smiles so softly I nearly fall apart. “But if it makes you feel any better, I don’t have plans to jump into any more magical wells.”
“Speaking of which—” Finnick interrupts, turning back to where the well was not minutes ago. Except it’s no longer there, only blackened earth where it once stood. “Do you think we destroyed it?”
“Can you ever truly destroy ancient magic?” I counter. “For now, it seems abated. I don’t think we will need to fear it again in our lifetime.” But just in case, I make a mental note to speak to Lady Thalia about its disappearance in hopes she can provide us with some insights. For now, I’m too tired to care, wanting nothing more than to leave this beach and head home.
I glance between Finnick and Evangeline. They both stare at me as if waiting to be told our next move. There’s only one thing I can think of. “Home?”
They both nod, shoulders slumping in relief. “We need to get back. If this worked… Niko should be healing,” Evangeline says.
At the mention of his name, something tightens in my chest.
Niko.
Our mate. Our king. The reason she jumped. The reason Finnick and I followed, in part.
The three of us are bound in ways no curse could break. But we left him behind, sick and fading, and even though the air feels lighter and the land blooms with life—Ineedto see him with my own eyes. Need to make surehe’s alive and can experience this moment with us. My mind can’t conjure up a life without him.
“I have to see him,” Evangeline says, echoing my thoughts.
Finnick nods. “We all do.”
We will need to rest because none of us will make the journey in our current states. Yet, that doesn’t matter as we turn around together toward the path home. The dragons roar in the distance as the sun breaks through the clouds, and I feel the magic in my bones hum again.
The world was dying, but not anymore. We’re alive, and now we go back to the one we did this for.
To the one we love.
Chapter 40
Evangeline
