I’m not sure if it’ll help, but I try to send strength and sympathy to him.
“Don’t be too hard on yourself.” Astrid pats his forearm. “Like I said before, this was bound to happen. You and I will see each other again soon, but don’t delay. I’m afraid this home might not be safe for me much longer.”
Kirian seems lost for words, so I take it upon myself to ask, “You said something about witches to Kirian? Are they involved?”
“Yes.” She glances into the bowl again before shaking her head. “But it’s all murky. They found out about me and cast a distortion spell.”
“Why would they team up with Gia?” I wonder. “More importantly, why would Gia agree to something like that?”
“She was the perfect person to exploit.” It isn’t a detailed answer, but it’s something. “Some witches think they’re more powerful than the royals.”
“Are they?”
She glances at Kirian. “Would it be treason to say yes?”
His strong arms go around me, and he pulls me in for a hug. “Not if it’s true.”
“Then, yes. Many of us could wipe you off the map,” she states plainly. “But it’s not in our nature to rule. We don’t want the spotlight. We like our privacy. However, that doesn’t mean the coven isn’t attracted to power. They’d rather be puppet masters, controlling the outcome behind the scenes.”
“And the future?” I ask. “Can you be more specific about anything? Any detail could help.”
“I see nothing.” Rubbing her temples, Astrid seems tired and frustrated, and I get the feeling she’s not used to being out of the loop. “The answers you seek are near. You’ll find out soon enough.”
Kirian tilts his head. “You’re much more forthcoming than usual. No hair bargains this time?”
She sighs. “It would benefit me if you prevail. If you win, I’ll consider that my reward.”
Quinn
Getting out of the Shadowlands isn’t as scary as going in the first time. Probably because I’m too busy worrying about the man carrying me. We don’t have the carrier this time. He’s just got both his arms under me, and I prefer it this way.
I like being held by him, even if it does occupy his arms. He’s running like our lives depend on it, and maybe they do. Or maybe he just wants to exert some of his anger.
Now that Kirian’s gotten over the initial shock, he grapples with his rage. It’s bubbling just below the surface like lava, ready to spew out any second.
He keeps dropping kisses to the top of my head, and I can tell it’s more for him than it is for me. Staying focused on me pushes his temper down.
Soon, the rock walls start to narrow, and the rough surface grazes the toe of my shoe as it closes in.
Then, we’re out.
We go from complete darkness to the dim pink glow on the horizon. As we adjust to the sudden change of light, Kirian and I both blink as he sets me on the ground.
I try to stay focused on him. I don’t want to miss the expression on his face when he sees the sky here for the first time since he was a kid.
When he finally looks up, breath whooshes out of him as his jaw goes slack. His knees give out and he falls to his butt on a patch of grass.
I sit beside him and he promptly pulls me onto his lap. We don’t talk. I don’t ask questions or try to make conversation. I just let him take it all in.
At least three minutes pass before he says, “It’s bittersweet. I always imagined this moment would be the best of my life, but how can I be happy when my sister—” His voice cracks, and he lowers his gaze to the ground.
Pinching a weed, he bends the stem, watching the way the fuzzy yellow top bounces up when he lets it go.
“It’s okay to feel a mix of emotions right now,” I say softly. “You’ve been through a lot. Even if you want to be pissed, go ahead. I can handle it.”
“I won’t hurt you.” Toying with the marble, he mimics what I showed him earlier. “Damon’s castle is just on the other side of the hill.” He points down the road, and I welcome the change of subject. A distraction is good. “It’s in a town called Cassia. Just a short walk, or an even shorter flight.”
“The Dream Realm is pretty.” My head whips around. Now that I’m searching for the differences in the landscape, I see them. The Dream Realm still has the same purple trees, but the grass has a blue tint to it and the land isn’t as flat. A shimmering light between two hills in the distance catches my attention, and I realize it’s the moons reflecting on water. “Is that a lake?”
“Issika Lake,” he confirms. “Mermaids live there.”
I gasp. “No way.”
Kirian grins, and it’s nice to see him smile. “Yes way. I’ll take you there when we have time.”
“I’d love that.” Sighing, I rest my head on his shoulder. “I’m looking forward to our life together here. As long as no one’s trying to murder me.” My joke falls flat. Way, way flat, like if a monster truck ran over a pancake. “I’m sorry, Kirian.”
“Nothing will ever be the same again. When we were kids, Gia followed me everywhere. She’d beg me to play with her, and I did, even though I was too old to be participating in childish games.” He works his jaw. “I don’t want to end her, but isn’t that what I promised?”
“Do you have to follow through? Is that a fae thing?”
“Yes. You know we don’t say things we don’t mean. I’m bound to the promise the same way I’m tied to our vow.”
“Maybe there’s another way. A different bargain you can make.”
He caresses my cheek. “But how can I let her live after what she did to you?”
I place my hand over his. “If killing
