Chapter 56 Serena
SERENA
My stomach is a bundle of nerves as we touch down in Aegar. My shadows rescind, folding into me as I release my hold on Zadyn. We decided to shadow walk for the sake of time, Mar volunteering to get the others back on her own. The clock is ticking, and every second counts.
But as we make our way through the brilliant diamond cave leading into the keep, I’m hit with a flood of poignant memories. We walk beneath crystals shaped like icicles, past the sparkling throne where I first saw Derek.
I think that was the moment I decided I would do whatever it took to know him. Be his servant, his errand girl, his Dragon Rider. It was never even a choice. I did it all to be close to my father in some perverse way. And it wasn’t enough.
Because somehow he managed to slip right through my fingers. Again.
I follow Zadyn through the halls, lost in a time loop, seeing things that aren’t there, fighting the bitter taste in my mouth.
Derek is dead. I have no choice but to face that now. I’m also terrified to see Jace and tell him what I’ve decided.
I meant what I said. I do plan on killing Kylian and finding that star, whether I do it before or after we’re married. But if this backfires, if I die trying, then I want every minute of these two weeks to be spent in Aegar, surrounded by the people I love. With Zadyn and Jace.
I want to spend them at home.
I know he’ll fight me on this, but unless he can offer me another option, this is the best defense we’ve got. And I refuse to back down.
But when he pushes through the towering doors of the hall—when his golden eyes lift to mine—it’s like a punch to the gut.
A giant fuck you from the universe.
He strides toward me as time slows. My heart beats out of my chest, only for him.
Get it together.
“You look…different.” I fight the urge to smack myself in the forehead at that lame greeting.
Before me is a version of Jace I’ve never seen.
He’s dressed impeccably in a fitted black jacquard doublet and leather pants tucked into tall black boots.
His hair is pushed off his face in a way that makes him look a bit older, his stubble slightly grown in.
He’s so handsome in that severe way of his.
His mouth twists into a grimace. “It’s the clothes. I’m not used to all this.” He messes with the collar of his jacket.
I step forward to smooth it. “No, you look good.”
Good? He doesn’t look good.
He looks gorgeous. Stunning. Delicious. Drop-dead sexy in a way that should be a felony.
I force myself to step back before I can say anything else damning. His eyes bounce from me to Zadyn.
“I’m not sure if it’s a good sign or a bad sign that you’re standing here right now.”
“We should talk,” I tell him.
He nods, leading us away. With a deep breath, I brace myself for the shitstorm that’s about to follow.