Chapter 56
With a gasp, Ava opened her eyes. “Mom…Remy,” she murmured, searching for them.
But her hands were empty. She wasn’t in the white place. Clouds moved away, the warmth of the sun beaming down on her skin. A face came into view above her. A brown beard. Long hair. A scar down his neck, covered in dirt and blood from battle, but beautiful just the same.
“Cas…”
His face crumpled with anguish and relief, golden eyes swimming with tears as he gathered her to his chest, cradling her in his lap.
Tears of joy leaked from her eyes. He peppered her head with kisses, rubbing her back, murmuring, “My love. My soul. My heart. You’re here…
It worked…Oh, gods, it worked…You came back… ”
He pulled away, pressing his forehead to hers, still clutching her as if her life depended on it. “You were gone…I felt you leave…” He kissed her nose. “I felt you die.”
Ava placed a hand on his face and kissed him. Gentle and soft. “I’m here now,” she whispered.
He pulled her back into a hug. Ava wrapped her arms around his neck. They held each other, neither one of them wanting to let go. Swathed in overwhelming grief and gratitude, they stayed in an embrace for a long time, shedding tears for what could have been. For what almost was.
“I love you so much,” Ava whispered.
“I love you too.”
After a while she loosened her hold and pulled back to look at him. “How?”
“Jareth.”
Ava glanced over Casimir’s shoulder, meeting eyes with his brother, who now stood at the edge of the clearing. Jareth gave her a small smile and she could have sworn his eyes glistened. He turned around and disappeared into the crowd.
“I still don’t understand. Jareth would never give up his powers.”
“He didn’t,” Casimir answered. “I gave up mine.”
“You told me you didn’t have enough astral magic to do that.”
“I didn’t. But blood relatives can share power. Jareth helped. Gave me enough to be able to do it. Without losing his own.”
Casimir traced her face as they spoke, unable to stop touching her. As if he still didn’t feel this was real.
“You knew it would work?” she asked.
“No. But we tried anyway.”
Ava pushed a piece of hair behind Casimir’s pointed ear. “So, no more astral magic?”
He shook his head. “No more astral magic.”
“I’m sure you’re thrilled.” She gave him a small smile.
Hand at the nape of her neck, he kissed her with urgency. Her fingers curled into his hair. Their tongues danced, renewed tears streaming down their faces. She was here. She was back. In the safety of Casimir’s arms. Her soulbond, her love.
Without breaking the kiss, Casimir scooped her up and stood.
Remembering their audience, she pulled away. “Let me down. I’m not weak. I feel…I feel fine…” He hesitated. “I promise, I’m okay to walk.”
Relenting, he set her on her feet, remaining close.
Seconds later she was yanked into a hard chest, the person squeezing so tight she almost couldn’t breathe. But she didn’t even need to look up to see who it was. She recognized that hug. Recognized the arms that held her, the way he kissed the top of her head.
“Raine,” she wheezed. “You’re hurting me.”
“I don’t care,” he said through his tears. “You died. You fucking died in front of all of us. You left us…you left me…” His voice broke.
“I know. I know,” she said, trying to soothe him as she rubbed his back. “But I’m not dead. I’m here, okay? It’s alright now.”
He pulled away, wiping his face. There was so much joy and love in his expression. With a deep breath, his eyes regained their usual twinkle. “You know…the nickname I gave you is even more fitting now.”
She thumped his nose and scoffed. Casimir muttered, “Not funny,” from behind her.
Raine pulled her back in for another brief hug. “Don’t ever do that again, little frog.”
“I don’t plan on it, wolf man.” She sighed into his chest and squeezed. Her best friend.
Raine released her at last and she continued her celebration, hugging her loved ones.
Kai and Jorrar embraced her. The latter beamed and told her he knew she’d be able to do it.
That he had believed in her and was so exceedingly proud.
The former reminded her of how far she had come from the day he had healed her many wounds.
Quinn approached next and wrapped her arms around Ava’s waist, laying her head on Ava’s shoulder. “I thought…” she said through her tears. “It was like my sister all over again…”
Ava shushed her, squeezing her tight. She’d never seen Quinn cry. “It’s okay. I’m here now. It’s over.”
She held the prickly warrior who had become her dear friend. Told her how she remembered Quinn’s dagger when she fought Andras. How her words had helped Ava when she thought she might fail.
After a good twenty minutes of reunions and celebrations, hugs and tears—all while Casimir remained within arm’s reach—she searched for one more person.
There he was.
Still on the ground, numb and staring off into space. As if he was in so much shock he couldn’t rise.
Ava approached, kneeling before her brother.
“Thorne,” she whispered.
He looked up. They lunged. A heartbreaking sob burst from Thorne’s lips as he pulled her close.
Crying and holding each other, there were no words to express their emotions, their relief.
Ava settled her head on her brother’s shoulder, closed her eyes, and cried.
How far they had come since she first walked into that throne room, since the day she arrived in Mosshaven.
Her brother. Her last living relative.
“I saw mom,” she said.
His lip quivered. “You did?”
“Yes.” She wiped at her cheek. “She told me to tell you she’s proud of you. And she loves you. And she’s always watching you. That you’re an amazing king and she couldn’t be happier for you.”
Thorne nodded through his tears.
“And she also told me to tell you to hurry and figure things out with Quinn because she would make a fantastic queen.”
He laughed, tears streaming down his face.
“I remember when I used to dream about you,” he said with affection.
“And I dreamt of you.”
“And now, it’s over,” he whispered.
“It is.”
And the two siblings held each other, laughing and crying over their victory. Everything they had worked toward. Every battle, every training exercise, every meeting. Every sacrifice. Every death. None had been in vain. Because all had been for their home. Their world.
For Eorhan.
Casimir stood by, watching Ava and Thorne hold each other through their tears, wiping his own from his cheeks as he reassured himself of her safety.
Only minutes ago, she was lifeless in his arms. He would never be able to get the vision of her death out of his mind.
Would never forget the way it felt within his soul when she faded.
But now she was back. Alive. Crying and hugging her loved ones.
All because of his brother.
Scanning the crowd, he searched for the blond prince but didn’t see him. As if he’d disappeared.
A hand landed on Casimir’s shoulder. “He went that way,” Raine said, pointing. “Go. I’ll keep an eye on her.” He hesitated, meeting his friend’s blue-gray eyes, still wet with tears of relief. “She’s safe. Go do what you need to do. I’ll tell her where you are.”
Though he didn’t want to leave Ava, he knew he needed to do this. Before Jareth went back to his kingdom. Heading in the direction Raine had indicated, Casimir trudged through the woods, searching for his brother.
It wasn’t long before he came upon a hidden grotto. A small waterfall tumbled down the rocky hillside, ending in a pool of shimmering cerulean water where pink fish darted in the blue depths. Dragonflies skimmed the surface and bright orange flowers hung from vines in the trees.
Jareth stood facing the pond, his back to Casimir.
Casimir stopped beside him. Jareth’s face held no emotion as he stared at the pool of blue. The brothers stayed silent, watching as a frog hopped onto the shore and listening to the birds calling in the trees, the breeze rustling the leaves.
Voice breaking, Casimir whispered, “Why?”
Jareth didn’t speak for a long time. Minutes went by as he stared at the oasis before them. Casimir waited, allowing him to decide if he wanted to answer, feeling a semblance of respect for him for the first time in his life.
At last, Jareth cleared his throat. “We used to meet here. Celine and I. It was her favorite place to come. No one else knew about it so it became our sanctuary. Our place of reprieve and escape from Father’s wrath.”
Casimir didn’t respond, waiting.
“She wasn’t good enough for our family, according to dear old dad,” he continued.
“Not only because she didn’t share our astral abilities, but because she wasn’t royalty.
She was a blacksmith’s daughter. A ‘low-born’ as he used to put it.
For years we snuck around before she…well, you know the rest.”
“Jareth, I’m—” Casimir ran a hand over his face. “Why didn’t you say anything? If we had known…If I had known…maybe—”
“Maybe what?” Jareth asked. “Maybe she wouldn’t have died?
Maybe you would have protected her? I hated you and you hated me.
Father pitted us against each other. He fed me lies my entire life about how uncivilized and unworthy the fae of Monterre were.
” He ran a hand through his hair. “And I believed him. Until I met her. We were in Mosshaven for the Solstice ball—we’d come early for some reason I can’t remember—and I needed space from my parents so I ventured into town.
I was walking by the blacksmith’s shop and saw her through the window, helping her father move a weapon from the hearth.
I had never seen anyone so lovely. It was as if the whole world stopped while I watched her smile and laugh.
” A long pause. “After she died, I let my grief over her stoke the fire of my hatred for the earth fae for decades. It was easier to hate all of you than admit I was hurting.”
He turned to Casimir, his eyes filled with pain.
“I wasted all these years loathing you…when the person I truly loathed was myself. You asked me why. Why did I help you save Ava’s life?
” His voice lowered into a whisper. “Ava…she was the only one who tried to see me as something other than what I portray to the world. Even when I was cruel to her. Even when I didn’t deserve it. ”
Casimir stared at his brother as if seeing him for the first time. This wasn’t a man who was cruel for the fun of it. This was a man who had been shaped by decades of abuse, manipulation, grief and pain.
“I know the pain of losing your soulbond. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. Not even you.”
“Thank you,” Casimir whispered. “And I’m sorry…for everything.”
“As am I. Truce?”
Casimir raised a brow. “I’m still not sure I can trust you.”
Jareth laughed. “I’d expect nothing less from The Bear.”
Casimir shook his head. “So what now? Do you truly plan to assassinate our father?”
Jareth shrugged. “That’s a problem for another day. I suppose we’ll see what happens, won’t we?”
Raine stood beneath a tree with Maeryn. Casimir had returned and was hovering over Ava again like a mother hen as they assessed the casualties, not letting her wander out of his sight.
Raine gazed down at Igneothenia’s general, staring into her molten eyes. “When will you return to your kingdom?” he asked, not wanting to hear the answer.
She shifted on her feet. “I am not certain. Our king is dead and we will have a lot to learn as we figure out how to live in Igneothenia again. I will remain here for a while to help with the aftermath of the war, but I cannot stay indefinitely.”
Raine swallowed against the tightness in his throat. He wanted to tell her, it was on the tip of his tongue. But she needed to be with her people, needed to get back. And telling her now felt manipulative. It wasn’t fair to use their potential bond to tempt her to stay with him.
“When you do go back,” Raine said, taking a small step closer to her. “Would you allow me to come see you on occasion?”
Her mouth quirked in amusement. “The silly captain wishes to visit me, yes?”
“Yes.” His voice came out low.
She crossed her arms. “Perhaps I could allow it. I admit, I would miss your humor. Though you wouldn’t be able to remain long and would have to take potions during your stay.”
“Maeryn,” he said, drawing her name out. “I would take a thousand potions if it meant I got to spend even five minutes in your presence.”
She inhaled a breath, staring up at him.
“Captain. General,” a soldier called from afar. “We could use your help.”
Not breaking Maeryn’s gaze, Raine called back, “One moment!”
“We must assist in the clean up,” Maeryn whispered.
“I know,” he murmured. “I just wanted a few more seconds under this tree with you before we rejoin the world.”
But Raine wanted more. He longed to scoop her up and take her back to the castle.
To clean the blood and dirt from her soft skin, then keep her in his bed for hours, worshiping every inch of her body.
Wanted her gasps and moans and whimpers.
Wanted her laughs and tears. Her darkest secrets and greatest fears. To hold her and never let go.
But they were exhausted and there was much work to be done.
“You have no idea how happy I am to have met you, Maeryn,” he said.
“Me too. I am glad to have a friend such as you.”
“Friend?” Raine took a step forward, her back hitting the tree. Placing a hand on the side of her neck, his thumb brushed her jaw. She leaned into the touch. “I don’t want to be your friend, Firefly,” he said, the nickname slipping from his lips before he realized what he’d said.
“Firefly?” she asked, a hand sliding up his chest.
He leaned in, lips brushing hers. The air between them filled with tension.
“Why do you call me this?” she asked in between shallow breaths.
“I’ll explain another time,” Raine murmured against her lips.
A breathy sigh escaped her. It was all the permission he needed.
His lips met hers. Soft, tentative. Her fingers clutched his chest piece, pulling him closer. It was slow, restrained, as if they were holding back. But it was a quiet affirmation. An intimate exchange. The way her soft lips moved against his own.
With considerable effort, Raine pulled back. Maeryn gaped at him, chest heaving, eyes bright with surprise and desire.
“So,” she whispered, a shy grin playing over her lips. “What now?”
Raine took her hand. “We help with clean up. And then we’ll figure this out.”