All I could do was nod.
Diredan smirked as Nuleef gazed at him with complete adoration. “Then so be it.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Hope tightened my chest as Diredan’s monumental power shot toward my mate. Kole was given no warning. No words of how long the magic would take. Or what it would feel like.
At my side, Kole’s body seized, his eyes widening. Similar to when the Wishing Stone had saved Timith, the warrior’s form became engulfed in starlight.
Colorful light blazed along his limbs, like a million stars glowed around him. The only difference in this healing from Timith’s was that nothing outward changed in Kole. His infection was still early enough that physical changes hadn’t yet occurred.
But inside, I knew it was different. Awe, relief, hope...all of it mixed together within my mate and traveled toward me along our bond.
His healing was done in seconds, less than a blink of an eye in the god’s eternal existence.
When Diredan finished, Kole released a breath, then gazed at me with shock.
The god turned to leave, but Nuleef placed a hand on his shoulder, stopping him. The God of Vengeance gazed at his mate questionably, but her attention shifted entirely to me.
A content smile curved her lips. “You reunited me with my mate and saved your own.”
I dipped my head. “Yes, thank you both for ridding him of Tenevris’s curse.”
I thought they would both turn away, but Nuleef didn’t move. Her head stayed cocked, and she added, “Diredan granted you one wish. Any wish. You could have asked him to turnyoufae, but you didn’t. Why?”
I lifted my chin, emotions clogging my throat. “Because I would rather see my mate healthy and whole than me.”
Kole’s hand wrapped around mine, and he squeezed. I had no doubt he felt the same.
Nuleef’s smile increased, and understanding filled her aura. “Such is the way with mates, is it not?”
I nodded once. “Yes.”
“But I feel that your sacrifice should grant you some luck, and because of you, I’ve been reunited with my mate. Do you wish to be fae again with your mate, Princess Primelle Rose Everline Manafold of Mistvale Kingdom?”
My lips parted. “Do I? You mean—” I couldn’t continue. Surely, I’d misheard her.
Nuleef laughed lightly. “You understood me correctly the first time. Do you wish me to returnyouto fae? I can see in your heart that you do not enjoy being one of Heleveer’s creatures. Since you reunited me with my mate, I will grant you this lucky wish if you so desire.”
I glanced at Kole. Like me, he stood entirely still, but his sheer awe barreled toward me along our bond.
Tears formed in my eyes, and I bowed to Nuleef. “Yes, Goddess. I would like that very much.”
“Then it shall be so.” Nuleef raised a hand, and a blazing shot of power burned through my entire body. Like the Wishing Stone had done to Timith and Diredan had done to Kole, amillion glittering stars appeared all around me, bathing me in a blanket of starlight.
I stood entirely still, suspended in time, frozen in wonder that it didn’t hurt even though I felt myself begin to transform. Colorful rays of light encased my limbs. Celestial power filled my very essence.
Before my eyes, under my glamour, my pale skin disappeared, and my previously healthy complexion returned.
In the same beat, my fangs retracted completely, the sharp tips disappearing as they returned to normal fae teeth once more. Miraculously, I felt no pain.
Amazement coursed through me, and tears sprang in my eyes when a stronglub-dubfilled my chest. My hand flew to my heart just as it began to beat again, but despite that single first beat, the sound diminished, and the enhanced senses of my vampire magic began to fade away.
I breathed in a lungful of air, the urge to breathe overtaking me. And sounds diminished as everyone’s heartbeats no longer sang to my soul.
Tears began to stream down my face as Kole’s momentous hope barreled to me along our bond.
The entire process only took moments, the power of a goddess shedding me of the vampire curse my uncle had forced upon me, his manipulations entirely insignificant compared to her great might.
