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This was true.

Cerise’s hand traced circles on the inside of my wrist, making me shiver. “Is Tavik all right?”

I paused for a moment to see if he was awake, but my wolf was silent within me. “He should be fine. It’s normal for our wolves to go dormant while they heal.” I tilted my head at her. “What about Sasha? Are you two all right?”

Cerise nodded, her expression warming. “Yes. We’re fine now.”

I tilted my head at her, running my fingers up and down her arm. “So. You’re the heir of the Mage King?”

She swallowed, her throat bobbing. “Um. Yes. I suppose I am.”

“You don’t have to accept the title, you know,” I said gently. “If it’s not what you want, you can abdicate.”

Her eyes met mine, and they shone with vibrance and certainty. “I want it.”

My eyebrows lifted. “You do?”

“Yes. I think… I can do a lot of good in a position of power. Maybe even put a stop to this feud with the witches for good.”

My heart swelled at her words. She was truly a marvel. She had only just found out she was a Wolven Mage—part of a kingdom who despised her, who she was raised to fear—and had already accepted becoming their leader.

All for the sake of bringing peace to the very clan of witches who had wanted to steal her magic.

“But,” she said suddenly, her hand tightening on my wrist, “I only want to rule with you by my side.”

My breath hitched as shock rippled through me. “Do you mean that?”

Her eyes crinkled with her smile. “Of course I do. My soul is yours, and yours is mine.”

I raised my hands, cupping her face and angling it toward mine. She gazed up at me with adoration and heat burning in her emerald eyes. When I brought my lips to hers, I took my time tasting her, savoring the feel of that lovely mouth. She hummed against my lips, opening fully for me as our tongues intertwined.

We broke apart, breathing heavily. She let out a shaky chuckle, placing her palm against my cheek.

“I love you,” I panted.

“And I love you.” She pulled back with a grin, her expression alight. “Actually, there’s something I want to show you.” She slid off the bed, making a pained sound as she staggered across the room.

“Damn it, Cerise, you’re going to reopen that wound,” I growled.

She rolled her eyes as she reached the table where Hans’s book lay. With a grunt, she hefted it up and tossed it to me before climbing back into bed.

“Look what I found.” She gestured to where a small piece of parchment stuck up about a third of the way through the book. I opened it to that page and scanned a section Cerise had underlined.

I could not have created the portal without the help of Serafina. Together, with witch magic and Wolven magic, we were able to create the enchantment that will sustain the portal energy for generations to come.

My heart lurched in my chest as I looked up at Cerise’s triumphant smile. “A witch?” I asked weakly. “Hans used a witch to fuel the portals?”

“Yes,” Cerise said with a laugh. “Isn’t it wild? Someone in his family must have been so ashamed that they hid this book so no one would find out.”

“It could have even been Gorem,” I said bitterly. “He was old enough to have gotten an early look at these notes.” I shook my head in confusion. “But if Gorem saw this book, then how had he not figured out how to deactivate the portal?”

“Well, for starters, he needed a witch who was willing to work with him,” Cerise said. “But I also think he misinterpreted this section.” She flipped to a page near the end of the book, then pointed to a paragraph.

With consent from both parties, the two breeds of magic converged into one, creating something completely new. Only through this mutual connection could the portal enchantment be forged.

For now, the ability to cross portals should only be utilized by Wolven Mages. It is far too dangerous to allow everyone access to.

I scoffed as I read the last sentence. “So Hans wanted to keep the other tribes cut off from the outside world. What a selfish bastard.”