“The spell was killing you,” Torin finally spoke. “We didn't have the strength to save you, not weakened as we were by Slate's absence.”
“So, Verin stepped in,” Gage said grimly.
I held up a hand. “I remember all of that. What I meant was; what did Vivian do to me?” I looked at Verin. “To us? What the hell was that?”
“I cast a love spell,” Vivian declared as she swept into the room, right on cue. I wouldn't have been surprised to learn that she'd been listening at the door, waiting for the perfect time to make her dramatic entrance. “With King Verin's connection to Water and the emotions already growing between you, it was easy enough for me to craft even while I continued to add my magic to the first spell.”
“So, this isn't real?” I asked as I looked from her to Verin.
“Not entirely,” Vivian confirmed.
“It feels real,” Verin murmured.
“Let's just say that I didn't have to push too hard.” Vivian grinned.
“You shouldn't have—” I started.
“This is why I was here,” Verin cut me off. “I knew it the instant you got on that table. I knew this was what my mother and Daha foresaw; that this was how I'd save you. And I stayed, Elaria. I could have left but I didn't. And when you...” He looked away and took a steadying breath before continuing, “When you began to fail, I felt... hopeless. I was scared. I've never felt that before; not like this. Then a vision filled my mind; a glimpse of what we could be to each other, and I knew I had mere moments to claim that future or let you go forever. I couldn't let go.”
“And we're grateful for that,” Darc said softly as he laid a supportive hand on Verin's shoulder. “But if I'm correct, this isn't forever; the spell will wear off.”
We all looked to Vivian for the answer.
She nodded. “It's temporary; any spell that alters free will is difficult to maintain, and I had seconds to cast it. It will fade; I have no doubt of that.”
Verin grunted.
I let out a long breath.
“But now that your Rooster Spell is contained, you won't have to worry about losing a lover,” Vivian pointed out brightly. “When this love fades, it will not affect you.”
“You think losing her won't affect me?” Verin growled at Vivian.
Vivian held up a graceful hand. “When the spell fades, it will free you, not trap you. You will simply return to the state you were in before. If you don't want to leave Elaria after the spell does, then don't.” She shrugged. “You should be looking forward to the return of your free will, King Verin, not dreading it.”
Darcraxis cleared his throat.
Verin looked at him sharply.
“As much as we're grateful to you for saving our wife, this situation suits us. All of us, I believe,” Darc confessed. “We were not happy with the prospect of another man in our family, and you, I'm told, had no interest in being that man. Once the spell wears off, you will not have to. It's the best outcome for all involved.”
“What are you saying?” Verin's voice went lower.
“Darc,” I whispered and shook my head.
“If we handle this correctly; no one has to be hurt,” Darc suggested.
“Correctly?” Verin narrowed his eyes; they were still indigo.
“If we prevent your false love from becoming true,” Darc explained. “Perhaps by separating you two.”
“You want me to stay away from Elaria until the spell wears off? Just go home as if nothing happened?” Verin asked in a dangerously calm tone.
“Not as if nothing happened,” Declan took over for Darc. “But getting closer to Elaria would only complicate matters, don't you agree?”
Verin's hand clenched around mine again. For my part, a horrible panic was filling my gut. I knew it was the spell, but even knowing that, I couldn't make my hand let go of Verin's. And that scared me even more.
“This is not the time,” I said firmly to my men. “Verin and I have just been hit with a love spell and your words are not comforting. Frankly, you're stressing me out.”
My guys looked at each other and then at me, exchanging grimaces.
“What would you have us do, little bird?” Torin asked.
“Nothing for now,” I said. “Can't we just let this be? We need to focus on freeing Slate. Remember him? The guy with a God inside him?”
“Yes, we remember Slate,” Darc huffed. “Very well, we'll save our brother and then discuss this. I'm sure he'll have something to add.”
“You won't be cast out, Verin,” I said firmly. “At the moment, you're a part of this family; bound to us not only through Vivian's magic but through RS as well. She accepted you and brought you into the fold, as it were. My husbands seem to have forgotten that. You have a say now; your opinion matters as much as theirs. And if, after this magic fades, you decide that you want to leave our family, we'll find a way to free you. We owe you that much at least.”
Verin sighed, his grip eased, and he made a soft sound of assent.
Chapter Fifty
I thanked the Witch Leaders profusely, told Osamu we were square, and then headed back to Kyanite with my guys, including our newest and most-likely temporary addition. My men insisted on me having a meal and resting a bit before we went after Slate. I guess they didn't want me to get a cramp after eating. During the meal and the rest—which consisted of me lying on a couch across Darc and Torin—Cerberus bombarded us with questions. When we came to the part about Verin stepping in to save me, Cer's face had gone blank.
“He did what now?” Cerberus gaped from me to Verin.
I cleared my throat. “He offered to join us, to give me his strength, but we weren't in love so Vivian cast a love spell. It allowed Verin to become a part of
