Chapter 48
She’d Inherited the power of Aterna roughly six hours ago. She’d been gone for five-and-a-half of them. And for Reeve, that was five-and-a-half hours too long.
“There’s something I have to go do,” said Maeve. “Alone.”
Reeve’s eyes narrowed. “Why alone?”
“Because this is mine to do.”
Reeve opened his mouth to speak, but Maeve placed a finger over his lips. “What did we agree upon? No coddling.”
Reeve nipped at her finger as firelight shimmered across his eyes.
He drummed his fingers impatiently on the table, recalling their rushed conversation, the glass of amber liquid beside him a failed distraction. Eryx napped on one of the sofas across the room. The poor man barely slept through the night now, too afraid of letting his guard down completely.
Still, Reeve could search their bond, the deep Magic connecting them, and know she was alive.
He knew she was safe, but weakened at the moment.
Completely depleted of her new Magic, and resting while it replenished.
Reeve shook his head and cursed under his breath.
She had done something astronomical to be that wounded.
It might take another week just for her to regain her full strength.
And what Magic could possibly be worth that risk when Shadow could strike at any moment in full force?
When Maeve had been so adamant that getting Mal out of Castle Morana as soon as possible was her number one priority?
What could possibly trump her vow to save him?
She hadn’t told him where she was going, and he hadn’t pressed her.
Eryx let out a soft snore, startling himself, and bolted up.
She was far. Too far. He told himself that if she didn’t return in the next twenty minutes, he’d tug so hard on the string of Magic connecting them that he’d be ripped through time and space to get to her.
His gaze traveled out the windows, where the last remaining ray of sunlight managed to break through the dark and snowy clouds. Once it set completely, it would not rise again. Of that, Reeve was certain.
Eryx stretched and sat up, assuming a relaxed position. “Still gone?”
Reeve nodded.
“What if—”
“I dare you to finish that sentence,” said Reeve lowly.
“It’s a possibility that needs to be addressed.”
Reeve leaned back, casually letting his arms rest on the sides of the chair. “You doubt me now?”
Eryx straightened and grimaced. “No.”
“Could have fooled me.”
“I doubt her. As I always have.”
Her Magic shifted—his spine straightened. She changed realms, jumping to another.
Reeve shook his head in a brotherly way. “You’re going to have to get over that.”
Eryx sighed. “I know. She means so much to Zimsy.”
Reeve’s head cocked to one side. “I was referring to me.”
Eryx stretched his arms out and crossed one leg over the other. His head bobbed back, adjusting his gaze to the ceiling. “You’re set on her, then?”
Reeve smiled to himself. “Quite.”
Eryx looked back at him. “And if she isn’t?” he dared.
Reeve’s eyes moved smoothly to his second in command. “If she isn’t what?” he pushed back.
“If she isn’t, as you’ve said, ‘quite set’ on you.”
Reeve inhaled deeply, picturing it almost adoringly: her futile attempt to get away from him. Her resistance. It made him hungry for her.
He grinned. “She is.”
A sharp tug on his bond with Maeve brought a deep inhale through his nose.
“Despite the fact that she still aims to honor him?”
Eryx’s question hung heavy in the air between them as Reeve stood, feeling her Portal opening just outside the walls of the palace and prepared to go and see what could have been so personal to her he’d been excluded.
“One day you will understand,” said Reeve. “Her loyalty isn’t to be feared. It’s her greatest strength.”
He didn’t wait for another reply, and moments later, he watched as Maeve moved through the swirling illumination of the Portal. She was still drained of her Aterna Magic, but it was quickly replenishing.
“Where have you been?” asked Reeve, a fake tone of disapproval in his voice.
“Oh, nowhere,” said Maeve, tucking her hands behind her back and smiling coolly. “Just using the power of Aterna in ways you couldn’t.”
Reeve’s playful expression fell, as she hadn’t returned alone.
Through the blinding Portal stepped Antony Sinclair, looking like his father.
Reeve’s chest tightened at the resemblance.
He was the spitting image of Ambrose Sinclair twenty years ago. No longer confined to his wolf form, he stood tall with a keen look of settled confidence in his bright-blue eyes. The same look all Ambrose Sinclair’s children wore.
Reeve smiled. “Well, well, would you look at that.”
Antony stood abreast of Maeve and dipped his head at Reeve.
“Hello, Reeve.”
He cocked his head at Maeve. “I’d ask how, but I already know the answer.”
Maeve smirked. “I’d like to hear you say it anyway.”
Reeve’s eyes narrowed playfully. “No need to continue to over-inflate that ego.”
Another stepped through the Portal behind them, a familiar face he’d shared many a drink with, one whose presence next to Antony wasn’t surprising at all.
Alphard Mavros stepped forward and addressed Reeve at once. “How could you have let her take all that power? She’ll be truly insufferable now.”
Maeve’s eyes slid to him, a friendly warning that harbored no real threat. He flicked his brows back at her.
He turned back towards the Portal and held out his hand. A third figure entered, holding a small baby in her arms. Her bright-red hair stood vibrant against the cool-toned crystal palace.
The Portal cycloned to a close behind her.
“Hello, Alphard,” said Reeve, grateful to see the man in solid condition. “And I suppose congratulations are in order,” he said, addressing Victoria Damario and the infant in her arms.
Reeve stepped forward and offered his arm to Antony.
As their hands joined and the forearms pressed against one another’s, Reeve could feel just what his kitten had done.
She hadn’t merely altered Antony’s Magic—the Magic that bound him to his wolf form—she had transfigured it.
Now, Antony could move freely between his forms.
He shook his head in proud disbelief and let go of their embrace.
“How’s two legs feel?” asked Reeve.
Antony laughed softly. The sound was Ambrose through and through. “Bit weird,” he admitted.
Maeve watched them with casual triumph.
Antony tossed his head towards her. “This one just can’t ever let things be, you know?” There was no bite to his tone.
Reeve’s eyes widened. “Trust me. I do know.”
Maeve rolled her eyes, never dropping her smile. “All of you quit complaining.”
Another blissful moment passed between them. And while Reeve was certain Antony would want to see his other sister soon enough, he didn’t hesitate to answer when Antony asked where Roswyn was being kept. Alphard’s face dropped at the mention of his name.
Antony looked at Maeve. “I’ll be back.”
She nodded, and Alphard followed Antony at once.
Victoria’s eyes met Maeve’s as Zimsy appeared. Maeve sighed with relief at her appearance.
“Goodness,” said Zimsy. “Look at this angel.”
Victoria smiled at Zimsy, her chest heaving a sigh. “You look. . .well, Zimsy,” offered Victoria.
“As do you and your precious child,” said Zimsy, stepping closer and placing her arms beneath Victoria’s. “May I?”
“Of course,” she said at once.
As she transferred the swaddled infant into Zimsy’s arms, she looked up at Maeve with gratitude in her eyes that Maeve wanted none of. Victoria’s lips parted, but Zimsy saved her once again.
“Let’s find you a room, Victoria,” said Zimsy. “Little Lyrux will be so thrilled to meet this young babe as well.”
Zimsy escorted her farther into the palace, leaving Maeve and Reeve alone.
“How are you feeling?” she asked, looking up at him.
Reeve stepped closer to her and disregarded her question.
“From now on, you tell me when you are planning to do something so reckless as draining yourself within an inch of your life. When you are putting yourself in such danger willingly, I want to be aware. I will never coddle you, and I will never control the choices you make where your Magic is concerned. But I want to be able to help you should you need it. You do not have to hide from me. What you did for your brother. . .even I couldn’t achieve. ”
“I know,” she said with a smile.
“Oh, Maeve,” he replied. “You shouldn’t boast. It’s so unbecoming of a lady—”
He managed a laugh from her.