Chapter Forty-Three Lor Present Day
“Put that book down. We’re going out,” Nadir says from the doorway of the living room.
I’m seated on the floor with Nerissa, a mountain of books spread around us. We have just two more days until the presentation ceremony, and our plans are still in flux. While we hammer out the details of our somewhat nebulous ideas for infiltrating the Sun Palace, we’re scouring through texts for mentions of the arks, hoping to learn something about them.
“Where?” I ask.
“I can’t tell you.”
“You expect me to just walk out of here with you without any sort of explanation?” I ask, closing the book in my lap. “Have you met me?”
He smirks. “Sure, and that’s why I know you’re already dying of curiosity.” He stops and smiles. “I promise it’ll be worth it.”
I roll my eyes. “Fine. But there better be food involved. Chocolate and cheese and decadent things stuffed with other things.”
He chuckles and then holds out a hand, drawing me up.
“Enough talking. Let’s go. We’re going to be late.”
“Late for what?”
“Lor,” he growls.
It’s true that I am curious, so I relent as he drags me out of the back gate and through the streets of Aphelion. We arrive at the docks, where a small ferry waits, bobbing in the ocean as the setting sun transforms the waves into watercolor hues of orange and pink.
“This way,” Nadir says, tugging me onto the small boat decorated with tiny white lights. After we both take a seat on the small bench at the back, Nadir wraps an arm around my shoulders. The captain pushes us from the dock before the ferry putters through the water.
“Tell me where we’re going,” I demand again, but he just gives me a smug smile and refuses to answer. I cross my arms and sit back, pretending to pout as he leans in and kisses the spot behind my ear.
“Patience, Lightning Bug. Enjoy the ride.”
I try to contain my smile, but I do as he says, sitting forward and tipping my face up, enjoying the way the breeze feels tousling my hair. It’s beautiful out here. Aphelion starts to recede in the distance, the golden domes and spires of the city glinting in the failing light.
I look at Nadir, who’s watching me with a satisfied smile.
“When do I get to find out?” I ask.
“Soon.” He pulls out a narrow strip of fabric from his pocket. “First, you have to put this on.”
I eye it dubiously. “You’re blindfolding me?”
Leaning in, he wraps the fabric over my eyes and whispers in my ear. “Just trust me.”
“I do,” I say, making my words firm. “You know that, right? I do.”
He pauses as he ties a knot at the back of my head, growing quiet.
“I know that, Lor,” he finally says after a moment. “And I’ll never give you any reason to do otherwise.”
“I know that, too.”
He kisses the shell of my ear and again folds me into his embrace. The simple black dress I’m wearing leaves my arms and legs exposed, and the cool breeze makes me shiver. His hand lands on my knee, caressing the skin as he protects me with his warmth.
“We’re almost there.”
I feel the rock of the boat as we roll over the gentle waves and a soft bump as we come to a stop.
Nadir takes my hand and pulls me up. “Come on,” he says, leading me off the ferry and onto what feels like hard-packed sand.
“Don’t let me fall,” I say as I feel blindly in front of me. I’m beyond curious about what’s going on, but I’m allowing myself to sink into this moment and just enjoy it. Whatever Nadir has planned will be something I like. I’m sure of it.
“Never,” he says with such rawness in his voice that I swallow the thick knot that grows in my throat. I squeeze his hand as we continue walking.
“Careful, there’s a step here,” he says, lifting me by the waist and then settling me on a surface that feels like grass.
“Are we almost there?”
“Almost,” he says, and I can hear the amusement in his voice.
“This had better be good.”
“Only the best for you,” he replies, and finally we come to a stop. He stands behind me, and I feel him untying the knot at the back of my head.
“Ready?”
“Yes! How much longer are you going to make me wait?”
There’s a chorus of laughter before Nadir slips the blindfold off. I gasp as I take in our surroundings. We’re on a small island, the water stretching out in every direction.
In the center of a small clearing is… everyone.
Tristan and Willow and Amya and Mael, Hylene, and Etienne. They’re surrounding a long wooden table that’s covered in food, enclosed by trees strung with hundreds of little white lights. Circling above everyone is a cloud of golden lightning bugs.
“What?” I ask in disbelief.
“Happy birthday!” they shout as Amya and Nadir each lift a hand, sending out ribbons of magic that twist and bend to spell out the words against the darkening sky.
“I…” Willow and Tristan run for me, squeezing me into a tight hug as a tear slips down my cheek.
“What is all this?”
Nadir wraps an arm around me from behind, his large hand spreading across my stomach. “Your brother and sister let it slip that it’s your birthday tomorrow. Something you failed to mention to me.” He arches a brow, and I laugh.
“Sorry. With everything going on, it just didn’t seem important,” I say, absolutely overcome with this gesture.
“Lor, you’re always important to us,” Willow says. “It’s been so many years since we could celebrate properly. When Nadir suggested we do something special, we didn’t hesitate.”
I look up at Nadir. “You did all this?”
He tips a crooked smile. “I had some help.”
“We have some special visitors,” Willow says, and that’s when I notice three more figures that bring a huge grin to my face.
“Halo! Marici!” I squeal, running over and wrapping them into another hug. “What are you doing here?” Behind them stands Callias with his hands stuffed into his pockets.
“We heard a rumor you were in the city, and convinced Gabriel to send a note.”
“Convinced?” I ask.
“Badgered until he had no choice,” Halo says, and I laugh before I look back at Nadir.
“Our notes actually passed one another,” he says. “You said you wanted to see Callias, and when I heard your friends were asking about you, I knew you’d want to see them. I figured there wouldn’t be much harm if we set up a meeting away from the house.”
“We would never tell Atlas,” Halo says. “You know that, Lor.”
“I do know that.” I hug her again.
Callias also wraps me in a hug and then pulls back, searching my face. “So you want me to deal with this?” he asks, and I nod.
“I think so.”
“What’s going on?” Willow asks. “Deal with what?”
“My scar.”
Neither of my siblings says anything for a moment, their gazes meeting and then pulling away. “Did either of you know? Who really caused it?”
Tristan lets out a long breath.
“Lor, you’d convinced yourself it was the result of helping Willow, and that seemed to bring you comfort, so we didn’t correct you.” He exchanges another worried glance with my sister. “I hope you’ll understand we thought it was the best thing to do.”
My lips clamp together as I nod. It was. I can’t blame them for trying to shield me from the shadow of those memories.
“I understand why you did it,” I say, and they both visibly relax. “But now that I know, I want it gone.”
“Of course,” Willow says. “No one ever expected you to keep it.”
“Okay,” I whisper.
“Should we eat first or do it now?” Callias asks. “I’ve brought my supplies, and we can work on it right here. Since it’s the product of magic, it might require a few sessions to erase it completely, but for today, we can make a significant improvement. How does that sound?”
“Perfect. But… food first.”
“I like the sound of that,” he declares, and then Halo and Marici surround me again.
“I’m so glad you’re here. I’ve been dying to see you. You have to tell me everything you’ve been up to since the Trials,” I tell them.
We all take a seat at the table, passing around food and wine. Callias, Marici, and Halo sit across from where I’m sandwiched between Nadir and Willow as they share everything happening in the palace. Mainly, that Apricia continues to be insufferable, especially when Atlas kept delaying the bonding.
“Her hair is completely blonde now,” Halo snorts into her glass.
“I’ve been working full-time trying to make her look like the ‘proper glowing Sun Queen’ while she hurls insults like poisoned arrows,” Callias says, rolling his eyes. “As if the color of her hair is what makes a queen.”
“How about you two?” I ask Halo and Marici. “I’m sorry I couldn’t do anything to help you with Atlas in the end.”
Marici waves a hand. “Atlas has absolutely no interest in any of us. We’re doing just fine.”
My shoulders slump in relief. “I’m so glad. I know it’s not ideal.”
“It’s the best we can hope for, given the circumstances,” Halo says, and I smile.
“Can you tell us where you’ve been?” Marici asks. “What happened at the end of the Trials?”
I let out a breath. “I don’t think that would be a good idea,” I say. “I know you mean well, but the fewer people who know, the better. You might not have a choice but to reveal information if Atlas finds out.”
Halo nods. “Of course. We understand. You were never really an Umbra rat, were you?”
I snort at that. “Well, I was never from The Umbra, but the rat part is probably true.”
“Somehow, I doubt that,” Marici says, her blue eyes brimming with kindness.
“A toast!” Mael cries from the end of the table, drawing all our attention to him. “To Lor on her birthday. To my boy Nadir, who finally found himself not only love but a fucking mate. And to stirring up some shit in Aphelion!”
Everyone agrees and raises their glass as we all continue eating. As I stare around the table, I’m seized with the warmest feeling of hope. We’re attempting to break into the Sun Palace in two days and praying for the best. Our odds aren’t great, and there’s a more than likely chance Atlas will get his hands on me, but at least I had this moment. It will have to be enough.
When we’ve all had our fill to eat, Callias leans across the table. “Whenever you’re ready.”
“Okay,” I nod. “Let’s do it.”
“Do you need me to come?” Nadir asks, taking my hand.
I shake my head. “I think I’ll do this alone,” I say. This is a moment to cut away a piece of a past I was clinging to, and I think this is something I need to do by myself.
Nadir leans down and whispers in my ear, “When you’re finished, come and see me on the beach. I have something for you.”
“Okay,” I say.
Callias stands and rounds the table, holding out a hand.
“Let’s go, Final Tribute.”
About thirty minutes later, I traipse through the trees. The joyful sounds from the others follow my route, wrapping me in honeyed warmth. Despite everything, I am so grateful for everything good that’s happened.
As I approach the beach, I spy Nadir seated on a patch of grass, facing the water, his knees up and his arms wrapped around them. I take the opportunity to watch him, wishing I could see his face in this unguarded moment.
A moment later, I drop down next to him.
“Hi,” I say, and he peers over and frowns as he studies my face.
“It looks the same. Did Callias have trouble with it?”
I shake my head. “I changed my mind.” He arches an eyebrow as I continue to explain. “I realized the meaning behind this mark is what I choose. That just because he was responsible for it, it doesn’t make it any less a symbol of the things I’d do to protect the people I love.” I fall silent. “Maybe that’s foolish, but it’s how I feel.”
Nadir’s face is a mixture of raw heartbreak and overflowing pride. “It’s not foolish at all.”
“I did do something, though,” I say, pulling the neck of my dress aside to reveal my left shoulder. I didn’t ask Callias to remove my scar, but I did ask him to remove the black brand charred into my skin from Nostraza.
Nadir lifts his fingers and gently touches my now unblemished skin. I’m guessing he’s not much of a crier, what with the whole dark prince persona, but I swear I see a hint of silver lining his eyes.
“Excellent choice, Heart Queen.” He leans down and presses a kiss to the spot, his warm lips lingering on my skin.
In the distance, the chatter of the others reaches us, and I bask in the radiance of their laughter and their joy. Across the water sits the Sun Palace, glowing in the moonlight. I wonder what’s happening inside right now. What’s Gabriel up to? What will we encounter when we attempt to get inside?
“It’s going to be okay,” Nadir says, his gaze following mine.
“You can’t promise that.”
He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small box.
“No, but I can give you this. A birthday present.”
I take it from him and crack open the lid. Inside is a beautiful ring with a deep red stone.
“What’s this for?” I ask, pulling it out.
“It’s my promise to you,” he says. “To keep you safe. To love and protect you for as long as there’s breath in my body.”
I look at him. “It’s beautiful.”
“And red, of course, because you are the Heart Queen, and what other color could it be?”
I smile at that. “How about the color of the northern lights?”
He shakes his head. “You are Heart through your soul, Lor. That is your legacy and your home. No matter what happens going forward, always remember that. No matter what’s happened in my life, I’ve always held on by remembering what I was fighting for.”
He stops and then takes the ring from me. “Wear this, if you choose, as a reminder that whatever demons we face, I will follow you until the very end. Into the fires of the Underworld if I must.”
My throat grows tight, and I find myself unable to speak as I nod and hold out my hand. Nadir slides the ring onto my finger and then stares at me.
“What do you want, Lor? For your future. What do you want more than anything?”
“This,” I say immediately. “You. A life where we can live together and be happy and free. It’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
He tips his head and smiles. “No more revenge?”
“Oh yes. I still want that. After we finish that part.” He laughs.
“That’s my girl.”
“But when it’s all done. If we win. Then that’s what I want.”
He nods as the corner of his mouth twists up. “Then I want to give you that.”
Nadir leans over and kisses me, his mouth hungry as our tongues slick together.
“I want you,” he says, his voice rough. “Here under the sky.”
“Everyone is right there,” I say, and he doesn’t hesitate, his hand lifting as beams of light sprout from his fingers and close around us, forming an iridescent dome hiding us from the outside world. Lightning bugs slip through small cracks, gathering at the peak, making this seem like the most magical spot to have ever existed.
“Now they can’t see or hear anything.”
“They’re going to know exactly why you just did that,” I laugh, and his eyes go dark.
“Good, then hopefully, they stay the fuck away.”
He pulls me towards him and kisses me long and deep with a hand cupped around the back of my neck as he eases me onto the grass. We continue kissing as his hand slides down my ribs and then up, cupping my breast before his fingers roll my nipple. We continue kissing, taking our time, allowing it to stretch and bend as we dive and roll and languish in this moment.
His hand travels over my stomach and then under the hem of my skirt, where he finds my stomach, smoothing over my skin, tracing slow circles around my navel.
Slowly, I pull apart the buttons on his shirt, exposing brown skin and the swirl of his bright tattoos. He watches me, holding still as I open the last one and then run my hands down his chest and over his back, loving the flex and bunch of his muscle and his silken warmth.
“You’re incredible,” he murmurs against me as his hand drifts lower, under the waistband of my underwear, directly to the needy wet ache between my thighs. He groans as his finger slips against me. “Always ready for me.”
I gasp as he touches me, circling my clit with his finger before he dips into me. I fumble for the button on his pants, pulling them open and feeling for the hard evidence of his cock straining against his underwear.
As he continues to alternate between fucking me with his fingers and rubbing my clit, I slip under the fabric and take him in my hand, stroking him as he moans into my mouth. We continue pleasuring each other for several indulgent minutes, our short breaths and panting gasps filling the quiet night.
He pulls away and then tugs off my underwear, yanking them off before he crawls on top of me, nudging my entrance. Slowly, he eases into me, and I cling to his shoulders as I whimper at the pure, exquisite sensation.
“I love you,” he whispers, pulling out and then sliding in with agonizing slowness. He thrusts hard and deep, filling every empty corner of my heart. “From now until the Evanescence takes us, Lor.”
“I’ll love you longer than that,” I say as he rocks into me. “Until the world turns to ash.”
He sighs and tips his forehead to mine as he continues churning his hips. My magic sparks, pale wisps of lightning twinning with his. We climb the peak and climax together, shuddering against each other’s mouths.
When we’ve finished, we lie in the grass, watching the lightning bugs dance and twirl. I’m so content and happy, and I feel like I could just lie here forever. A burst of laughter from the table summons our attention, and our gazes meet.
“You should go back and spend some time with your friends,” he says.
“Thank you for this. All of it.”
“You know you don’t need to thank me.”
“Yes. I do.” I kiss him again before we retrieve our discarded clothing and try to look somewhat like we didn’t just have sex. Well, at least I do. Nadir obviously doesn’t care, since he leaves his shirt hanging open and does nothing to fix his mussed hair.
He takes my hand, and we approach the table.
“Ah!” yells Mael. “They’re done fucking. Come have a drink!”
I roll my eyes and shake my head, but I accept the glass he’s holding out, briefly considering dumping it on his head.
“I know what you’re thinking,” he says with a grin that does its best to charm me. “And I really wouldn’t blame you.”
At that, I burst out laughing.