Chapter 13 – Sera #2
He tucks the vials into the pocket of his jacket, the glass clinking softly. “These will help the withdrawal symptoms?” he asks, a note of desperation in his voice.
Margot nods. “But remember what I said: it will require your will too. And perhaps you should let people in. You might find some healing by not carrying your burdens alone.”
While her words are for him, they strike a chord. Apparently, we share that trait.
“Can I just bring the recipe to the palace alchemist and save you the trouble?”
Margot tsks. “Come now, Alex. I don’t give away my recipes for free.” She winks.
“How do I pay you?” he asks, not quite meeting her gaze. Why would he be worried about money? Surely the ambassador makes a hefty sum working for the king.
“Kian said to put it on his bill,” Margot replies. “He hasn’t been to visit me nearly as often as he used to and owes me.”
“Thank you, Margot,” he says. “Or perhaps I should be thanking Kian.”
Margot chuckles. “Come back anytime.” She turns and pins me with another intense stare. “Gods’ blessings on your journey.”
The tinkling bell of the door rings, and a stranger steps in. We pass him on our way out, giving him a polite nod, then I do a doubletake. Gods, if he doesn’t resemble the prince.
“Hello, dearest,” I overhear the man say. Ah, must be her husband. I shake my head.
Alex ushers me into the carriage, my mind racing with a million questions.
Can I finally go home? After all these years?
While I feel slightly bad for ignoring Alex on our journey back, I need a moment to think, to process.
If Rae finally has the answer for me, why hasn’t she said anything? Does she not know her own power?
I practically dash out of the carriage when we arrive, leaving Alex in the dust as I race toward Raelyn’s wing. I have to know if there’s actually hope for me. I have to know if I can return home and finally break this curse that plagues me, and there’s maybe an hour left before sunset.
“Sera, wait up!” Alex calls from behind me.
“Can’t,” I breathe. “No time.” Of course Alex with his long stride catches up to me, though upon quick glance, he’s looking a little green again.
“You should probably take your tonic,” I say, slowing my pace. “Maybe lie down or something. I’m a little worried you’re going to pass out.”
“Uh-uh, no way. I’m not letting you leave me out of this,” he declares.
“Fine,” I huff. “Keep up.”
Within minutes, we finally make it to the prince’s wing, and I barge into the sitting room.
Alex follows right behind me, and we walk into a sight no friends should ever have to witness.
“Seven hells,” I breathe.
Rae shrieks, grabbing a pillow to cover up, and my cheeks flush bright red. I turn around just in time to catch Alex’s horrified expression.
“My eyes!” he complains, throwing a hand up.
“Sorry, Rae!” I call out, pushing Alex out of the room and slamming the door shut behind me.
“If only I could burn that out of my brain,” Alex whines.
I snort. “Unfortunately, I’ve seen worse. Those two are like rabbits.”
“More information I did not need to know.”
I blink, trying to eliminate the sight of Rae and Kian in the middle of “feeding” amongst other things.
Alex leans against the door, palming his face before turning to glare at me. “Why in the gods’ names didn’t you knock?”
I shrug halfheartedly. “It’s a little early for them to be doing that. Plus, I was distracted.”
“Are you going to ask Rae to send you to your home realm?” Alex asks, changing the subject. There’s a tinge of sadness to his voice. Not sure why he’d be upset to see me go. He has enough women to entertain him here.
Bitter much, Sera?
“If there’s a way, yes. I have to. Especially if it’s the only solution to breaking my curse. I don’t know if I can live like this forever, losing myself every night.”
Alex puts a large palm on my shoulder, and I sigh. I hate how comforting it is. Damned mate bond. “I’m sorry I haven’t been there for you,” he says softly. “I didn’t know how to fix things, and I felt so helpless. It’s no excuse. I should have done better.”
“No, Alex, this isn’t your fault,” I retort, hating how his words mirror my own thoughts about not noticing his addiction. “I made the choice to take on the curse and have to live with it. Clearly there is nothing to be done here anyway. We’ve been wasting our time.”
“No time spent trying to help you is a waste,” Alex says.
“If you say so.” I lean against the wall, closing my eyes. “If there’s even the tiniest chance Margot is right, for the first time in decades, I’m hopeful I can actually go home.”
“You miss it that much?” he asks.
“With all my heart and soul,” I admit, looking at him sidelong.
Alex fidgets with the vials in his pocket, creating a subtle clanking sound.
“It’s hard for me to imagine you never coming back.”
The faint throb of the bond twinges, and I sober.
I feel the same way. I love Rae, I love the small family I’ve built here, but is that reason enough to stay?
Or to come back once I leave? I’m the only one of my kind in this realm as far as I know.
I can’t keep watching those I love die as I remain the same, especially not a mate.
The door creaks open, and Alex almost falls. I hold back a laugh as he throws his arms out, grabbing for something to keep him upright.
Rae stands before us, a silk robe barely covering her. A hint of red stains her mouth, and I can’t help but grimace. “Well, I’m not going to apologize for enjoying my husband in my own chambers,” she snarks. “I am sorry you had to witness what you did though. Please knock next time!”
“Yes, my lady,” I say with a grin.
Rae rolls her eyes, biting on her lip as she waves us into the room. “Kian will be out in a minute. Make yourselves comfortable.” She waves a hand toward the settee . . . the same settee they were just sitting on very, very naked.
Alex looks at the settee and then at me, his feelings written all over his face. He mouths, “Over my dead body,” before moving to one of the leather chairs Kian likes to frequent. He starts to fill a glass before he stops and puts it back. A rush of pride for him swells, which is surprising.
Walking past him, I grab the glass and fill it for myself, leaning closer to whisper, “If you think they haven’t sat naked on that chair, you are delusional.”
Alex practically jumps up, brushing off his clothes as if they are suddenly soiled.
“Thanks for ruining Kian’s wing for me, Spitfire.”
“You’re welcome.”
“I’ll be right back!” Rae calls out, disappearing into her bedchamber. Gods, if they start to get it on again, I’ll be pissed. I am running out of time to talk. As if reading my mind, Alex nods toward the window and the setting sun.
“How much time do you think?”
“Maybe thirty minutes.” I frown.
Alex goes to the door and pounds on it. “Rae, Sera is almost out of time. Please hurry.”
“Coming!” Her voice is muffled behind the door.
When she reemerges, she’s wearing an oversized sweater and soft-looking pants. I envy her comfortable attire. Though in only a few minutes, I will be wearing nothing at all.
“Why so tense?” Rae asks, her skin emitting a soft glow, probably from the recent feed.
“We just got back from Margot’s,” I say. “She said some odd things.”
“Oh? What did she say?” Kian asks as he joins us, his hair damp from a bath. Thank the gods it helped wash away some of the scent of sex. Damned fae sense of smell.
“She mentioned a new goddess awakening and something like, ‘When gods return to the forsaken realm, doors once closed will reopen,’” Alex repeats.
Rae’s eyes shine with interest. “So it’s possible!”
“What’s possible?” Kian asks.
“Opening doors to other realms!” Rae says excitedly.
“Are you sure we can trust Margot’s word on this?” Alex asks. “What if she’s trying to use Rae for some nefarious reason?”
Kian slaps a hand on Alex’s shoulder. “Alex, my friend, sometimes you just know when you can trust someone. Not to mention, Margot has been covering for me for years. I trust her completely. She’s like family. It sounds like she is aware of more than I realized.”
“She’s not dumb,” Rae agrees. “That’s for damn sure.”
My skin starts to prickle, and I rub at my arms. “Do you think you can find a way to send me home? Margot said that’s the only place I’ll be able to break my curse,” I say.
Rae’s eyes widen. “No pressure, huh?”
“No pressure,” Kian says, blowing out a breath.
“The knowledge to open portals to anywhere other than Celestia is something I haven’t been able to access in my memories just yet.
” Rae frowns. “Nor were the other gods any help when I asked. They want to keep the realms separate. I’ll do my best to think on it.
But if it is possible, we will find a way. I promise.”
I nod, my insides starting to heat. “I need to go. I’m out of time.”
Alex looks like he’s about to reply, but I can’t wait. I need to run. Without another word, I dash out of their chambers and across the hall. There’s an exit to the gardens close by. The last thing this palace needs is a swan flying and honking through the halls.
The pounding of feet comes after me, and I dare a look over my shoulder as I step through the garden door. Alex’s pained face is the last thing I see as everything shrinks and I lose myself to the swan once more.