And it unraveled me.
I stilled, letting her set the pace, my hands hovering over her waist before I settled them to pull her gently against me.
She was still choosing this. Choosing me.
Too soon, she pulled back, her lips parted, and breath coming out quick and uneven.
Her gaze dropped, a blush rising to her cheeks. “I need to train,” she said, her tone soft but resolute. “My magic, it’s rising inside me, and I need to be somewhere far in case . . .”
“I’ll go with you.”
“No.” It came out sharp and final before her features softened. “I’ll worry I’ll hurt you and won’t be able to work my magic properly.”
Every instinct raged at me to hold her there, to drag her mouth back to mine and never let go. To go with her to train hermagic. But I forced myself to let her go and give her what she needed.
“Then train,” I said, brushing my knuckles over her cheek. “I’ll be here when you finish.”
She gave me one last lingering look before she turned around and continued her trek through the forest. I stayed, watching her back grow smaller until she faded from sight. Only then did I return to Everly and Elias.
My steps thundered back to our campsite, and when I reached them, they both sat where I left them, their plates empty as if they’d been waiting.
“We need to talk.” Heat climbed up my throat despite the ice in my tone.
“I know.” Everly met my glare without flinching. “I’m sorry, Brent. You’re my friend,mo compeer,my family.”
Mo compeer.A term we used for our brothers and sisters in arms, who weren’t simply friends, but family.
“That doesn’t justify the way you’ve been treating Finley,” I snapped.
Her shoulders eased in reluctant admission. “You’re right. My reasons don’t matter. I just . . .” She sighed. “I hate how much she’s hurt you. But you’re your own male. I’ll only give my opinion if you ask for it.”
“You’ll apologize to her,” I said.
She gave a solemn nod. “I’ll apologize to her.”
That was enough. At least for now. Forgiveness didn’t come all at once, and it’d take time before Finley trusted Everly. But family wasn’t about perfection. It was about holding each other accountable, about making amends when we faltered.
And Everly was my family.
But Finley . . .Finley was more. She was my heart, the one thread I’d never been able to sever. I’d walk away from the brothers and sisters I’d bled beside, the family I’d built after myown had abandoned me, before I ever turned away from her. The only ones I could never leave behind were the younglings. Luana too.
But anyone else who couldn’t accept Finley? They’d lose me. And suddenly, I understood Elias and his transformation after Teddy accepted their soul-mate bond. He’d become . . . calmer. Irrational at times, yes, but now I knew that was only the madness of being loved back.
“You will do what you must to make amends,” Elias said before he turned to me. “Things are different this time. Is that right?”
“Yes.” The word scraped through my throat, a part of me still surprised at how much had changed since we left Niev a mere day ago. “She and Etienne have only ever been friends. Before we left, Etienne asked her to give us a chance.” My voice cracked. “She chooses us. She chooses me.”
Everly leaned over Elias and smacked my thigh good-naturedly. Her eyes searched mine. Then a smile tugged on her lips.
“So she’s finally stopped fighting what was written in the stars since the day you were born,” she said, her tone softer than I expected. “Took her long enough to see you for the valiant—and annoyinglyfunny—male you are. For the fierce and tender male you’ve always been.”
Her words settled in my chest.
Elias kept his expression open and earnest. “You’ve waited over a hundred years for this, Brent. And you never once stopped choosing her, even when it cost you.” His hand clapped my shoulder. “I can’t believe this is all happening without Teddy present.”
“Vith, my sister is going to kill me.”
Everly huffed out a laugh. “Shall I light a candle for you?”
