Page 87 of Broken

Chapter 36

Back at the Ridge, the starlit valley was full of wolves, mixed with naked operatives who’d just Changed back to human. Everyone was whooping, hollering and howling.

Ireland was swept up into Cole’s arms, and he held her tightly against him, his face buried in her hair. She just wrapped her arms around him and held on. They’d come so close to losing each other, and that edge of fear was still raw.

“Hey,” she said, when he finally loosened his hold. “Look at us. We did a mission. We kicked ass! And we even did it in a so-called Bright Fae, non-murdery kind of way.”

“Yeah,” he said, smiling down at her. “But it was still pretty good.”

“Bad wolf,” she said.

“That’s what you love about me.”

And then they were caught up in other hugs and celebrations—Mikey, Boomer and Karisma, and so many others Ireland couldn’t keep track. She even got up the nerve to hug the red dragons.

“Thank you for what you did,” she said to them. “We couldn’t have done it without you.”

Mikah clapped her on the shoulder. “Mikey’s my favorite niece—not to mention, she saved my mate’s life one time.” He tousled Mikey’s hair like she was twelve years old. “Anything she wants, I’m there.”

“Great!” Mikey said. “I have a list…” Mikah just laughed.

Boomer said, “That sculpture was absolutely epic. Way to rub in the ass-kicking by the Dark.” He shook his head. “Too bad they’ll probably destroy it before the day’s out.”

Zakerek smirked. “They can try,” he said. “We infused a shit-ton of dragon magic into that thing. I think it’s going to be there awhile.”

“Especially because the mountain likes being that way,” Cazbek added. “Nobody argues with a mountain.”

“Untrue,” Thanatos said, coming up behind them, his hood back in place. “People argue with me all the time. It’s extremely annoying.”

He bowed to the dragons. “Brothers of Fire,” he said in a formal voice. “Thank you for your assistance.”

“Glad to help,” Zakerek said.

Exchanging a glance with Cole, Ireland followed Thanatos towards the place where Sugar, DB and a couple of soldiers were standing guard over Illyria’s Sleeping Beauty coffin, still floating at waist height. It glowed faintly in the darkness.

She touched Thanatos’ arm gently, and he stopped. Ireland asked, “Is she going to be okay? Will you be able to get her out of stasis safely?”

He turned to her, and for the first time since she’d met him, he sounded tired. And… sad. “I do not know as yet. Part of her soul has been parted from her body for a long time, and the protective spell is centuries old. It is difficult to tell what effect these factors may have had on her. I will have to consult my research before attempting it.”

Her heart went out to him. Everyone else was celebrating, and he couldn’t. Not yet. Maybe not ever. Centuries of searching, waiting, hoping—and all of it might have been for nothing.

She said to him, “I still have my magic. If there’s anything I can do—”

“Anything we can do,” Cole amended, coming up behind her. “Just let us know.”

The hood nodded slightly. “I will do that.”

Impulsively, Ireland put her arms around Thanatos and hugged him. It was like hugging a stone pillar. He stayed very still, but he didn’t pull away.

Ireland let go. Everyone held their breath. Finally Thanatos said, “Your… sentiments are appreciated.” There was a long pause, and then he added, “I am obliged to you for your efforts. And…” Longer pause. “I am pleased that you were not harmed.”

He turned and glided away.

Ireland turned to see Karisma staring at her, eyes as big as saucers. “He thanked you!” she said. “And he even cared that you didn’t die.”

Boomer called after Thanatos, “We’re having a Wild Wolf Lake watch party at my cabin on Saturday. New season! You should come.”

Thanatos raised a hand briefly, but didn’t turn around. DB made another doorway, and he and the soldiers pushed the coffin through it.