Chapter 22
Zephyr
Evangeline is a vision come to life. A goddess in her own right.
Her dress hugs every curve of her body, leaving very little to the imagination.
The light from the torches surrounding us dances across her terracotta skin as if the shadows are caressing her.
Niko’s desire trickles through the bond, hot and fierce.
His need for her burns as bright as fire, nearly scorching me with its intensity.
I wait for the jealousy to consume me, turning my mood sour.
Fae are territorial of their mates by nature. What’s ours is ours—marked by blood, magic, love, and something deeper that can’t be undone. We don’t take kindly to others sniffing around what belongs to us. And Niko? He’s mine.
Goddess, there have been more times than I can count where I’ve had to clench my fists and bite back the urge to summon an ice dagger and drive it clean through some bastard’s eye just for looking at him too long. A lingering gaze. A flirtatious smile. Even a laugh that edged too close to intimacy.
It doesn’t matter. The reaction is always the same—primal, fierce, and cold as winter’s breath because these fae have never been invited into our relationship. Niko is not just my mate; he’s mine. Body, soul, scent, magic.
And yet…
I wait for the bitter taste of jealousy to coat my tongue when he takes her hand, but it doesn’t.
I wait for it to twist my stomach to knots when they stand before Lady Thalia as she recites the ancient words of our people about bonding souls, and it still does not come.
My chest swells with something, but it’s certainly not jealousy.
There’s a certain rightness at seeing my mate take this human.
To see his happiness blossom during a time where misery and evil linger in the air.
It’s so out of place, but exactly what this kingdom needs.
Exactly what he needs.
I take my place behind Niko. My mate meets my gaze, unasked questions hanging between us. I cup his shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. It’s the only comfort I can provide him at this time, but it seems to work as he relaxes under my touch.
Evangeline looks between us, uncertainty coloring her features. She bites her bottom lip, and the action betrays my body. Something warm grows in my stomach, heading south, but before I can bask in that feeling, I clamp it down. Hard. Because Evangeline isn’t mine. I don’t want her.
I almost believe the lie.
I watch in rapt fascination as Lady Thalia gently wraps a golden rope around their joined hands, her movements gentle and reverent.
The rope glows faintly in the moonlight, a sacred symbol of their union, one that binds not only their bodies but their souls.
It’s the same rope Niko and I used during our own mating ceremony, and the memory flickers to life with surprising clarity.
Ours was a grand affair, a spectacle meant for the entire kingdom.
The palace gardens were transformed into a sea of golden lights, music, and laughter that lasted for days.
Dignitaries, nobles, and fae from every corner of the kingdom came to witness the moment.
I vaguely remember the vows. Most of it passed in a blur, not because of the wine or the fanfare, but because I was singularly focused on one thing: making Niko mine, completely and undeniably.
We made our obligatory appearance at the feast, smiling through the toasts and well wishes, but we didn’t linger for long.
That night, we slipped away from the noise and into the sanctuary of our chambers, where the real celebration took place—just the two of us, shedding titles, expectations, and clothes.
We were young, wild, and completely consumed by each other.
Carefree in a way I didn’t realize was rare until much later.
Feels like a lifetime ago.
But it all comes back, freezing my very core. I can’t do anything but watch. Their lips are moving, saying vows, but I register none of it. Niko turns his head, probably sensing my emotions. His lips turn down in a frown.
I told him I was okay with the mating.
He’s doubting it.
The thing is, I am okay with the ceremony. Evangeline and I will be mated and loved by the same man. We won’t—can’t—mate with each other.
I do my best to offer a smile, but it’s tight and doesn’t reach my eyes. Niko knows I’m full of shit but thankfully doesn’t call me on it. His gaze moves back to Evangeline, who looks so small compared to him. She’s a short little thing.
“Let us commemorate this union between mortal and fae with a kiss,” Lady Thalia announces, her voice slicing through the fog of my thoughts.
Evangeline stiffens. Her eyes fly to mine—not Niko’s—panic flashing behind them.
She’s searching my face, desperate to gauge my reaction.
I don’t look away. My jaw clenches, lips pressed into a hard, unmoving line.
I’m not angry. At least, I don’t think I am.
But hell if I know what I’m actually showing her.
I’ve never been good at this shit—reading emotions, showing restraint. That’s more Niko’s territory.
She waits, but I stay silent. The space between us thickens, heavy with everything I’m not saying. Everything I don’t know how to say.
Luckily, Niko jumps in, cupping her face between his hands and forcing her to look at him.
Her cheeks redden with a natural blush. Niko’s thumb gently caresses her cheek in a slow, circular motion.
“It’s okay, Evangeline,” he says, voice kind, yet firm.
He wants her to know this is exactly what needs to happen.
“You’re mine, Little Chef, and I’m going to kiss you now. ”
“But—”
Niko doesn’t let her finish. He surges forward, capturing her mouth in a deep, consuming kiss that cuts off her protest.
Evangeline goes rigid in his arms, startled.
But then something shifts. Her fingers curl against his chest, and a soft, breathless gasp escapes her lips.
Slowly, she melts into him, her body yielding, pressing against his as if answering some ancient call.
The primal need radiating off both nearly steals my breath.
They fit together like two pieces of a forgotten sculpture—chiseled from the same stone, meant to find each other again.
Her hesitation burns away, replaced by a feverish hunger.
She kisses him back with wild, unrestrained energy, nothing like the tentative woman from moments before.
This Evangeline is bold, fierce, and utterly captivated.
My body heats, and I blame it on Niko. He’s turned on and feeding it through our bond.
But deep down, I know that’s not the only reason.
Evangeline moans, and the sound goes straight to my fucking cock like I’m some pubescent teen who can’t control his excitement around women.
The way Niko growls, curling one hand around her hip, sends longing throughout my body.
I’m not going to fucking survive this. I—
The thought is ripped from me, swallowed by the sharp, jarring sound of screams.
It happens so fast, the world shifts on its axis. One moment, I’m drowning in the hunger of watching them—Niko claiming what’s his, Evangeline surrendering with fire in her eyes—and the next, panic explodes like a dropped torch in dry grass.
Niko jerks back, pulling Evangeline to his chest. “What the fuck was that?” he growls. Before I can answer, terrible, high-pitched screams fill the forest once again. There’s only one creature that makes that type of piercing yell.
Nephilim.
Back in our kingdom. Somehow getting through the guards we left back at the borders.
Niko comes to this realization at the same time I do. Finnick flies to his side, landing on his brother’s shoulder, the normal, carefree joking demeanor replaced with the valiant warrior he’s trained to be. Finnick is small, but weak and defenseless he’s not.
The celebration shatters in an instant, replaced by a thick, choking tension that settles over us like a storm cloud. Fear lingers in every breath, every glance. Once again, Evangeline is being dragged into a war she never asked to fight.
It kills me that their bonding ceremony was cut short—that their moment was stolen—but there’s no time to grieve it. She’s not safe here anymore and needs to be moved so she’s not hurt.
My mind shifts into war mode, sharp and unrelenting. Only two things matter now:
Protect those I love.
Defend our kingdom.
“The dragons wouldn’t be patrolling tonight, would they?” Niko asks, his voice clipped and serious.
“They should have spotted the Nephilim if they were.” That’s not to say they aren’t. Nephilim are known to slip through defenses, even with their large size. Sneaky, vile creatures.
“Of fucking course,” he mumbles under his breath. He looks over at his mother and Finnick before stopping to stare at Evangeline. Pain and anger warp his features, and I know what he’s going to say before he says it. “Perhaps it’s time to get people out to safety.”
We’ve discussed this. Many times. Moving our people out of the kingdom.
If we did that, our land would be completely lost to us.
It would stop death for a while, but these lands are enriched with fae magic.
Over time, we would weaken and potentially lose our access to magic.
That’s only if we couldn’t reclaim our lands from the Nephilim.
It’s the absolute last option because, not only are we risking ourselves—we are the last line of defense for Pixie Cove.
“Not yet,” I urge, knowing it has been a contention between us. I understand Niko’s need for safety—I want it just as much—but abandoning our land will only set us back. We still have time, and with Evangeline here—
I clamp down on that line of thought. No, she can’t get involved. Not yet. She’s too valuable to us, and risking her safety would put us all in more danger.
“We need to get Evangeline out of here,” I demand.
“What?” The shock on her face gives me pause. A fierce determination I haven’t seen radiates off her. “No, I need to stay with you both. The Guardian brought me here for a reason. I’m not just going to run and hide.”
“You mean nothing to us dead,” I hiss, earning a growl from Niko.
“Watch yourself, mate,” he seethes.
But that’s exactly what I’m doing, even if he’s so high on his new mating bond, he can’t see it. “Evangeline will only hinder us. She’s mortal, with a very mortal body. You’ve seen what Nephilim have done to trained fae guards.”
The heat in Niko’s eyes dims, but his posture is still rigid.
He wants to argue with me, but he also knows I’m right.
She may be the key to winning this war, but we haven’t figured out how.
Her body is fragile, and exposing her to this will only distract him.
Hell, it’s going to distract me. Both Niko and I will concentrate better if we aren’t worried about Evangeline.
“Zephyr,” a soft feminine voice pulls my attention away from Niko. Evangeline stands before me. She moved as silently as a shadow, looking up at me with gorgeous honey-brown eyes. Her thick lashes give her a doe-eyed look, a picture of innocence.
An innocence that will, regrettably, be stomped out of her soon enough.
She reaches out a hand, placing it on the side of my face. My body tenses, heating at the touch. I can’t see Niko, but I feel his gaze on us. “Zephyr, I will be okay. Let me help. I don’t have to be in the fight, but don’t send me away either.”
“It’s too dangerous.” My voice is rough, even to my own ears.
“Maybe.” She shrugs. “But I’ve spent too long dreaming about the world not to defend the one I’m given. Let me help.”
My resolve is quickly crumbling. Something has changed within her, at such an inopportune moment. Damn her. And damn Niko just because. “Fine,” I grit between my teeth. “But you have to remain with someone at all times.”
“She can remain with us,” Lady Thalia says. “Finnick and I will protect her.”
Finnick puffs out his chest. She is in capable hands with them, but I still don’t have to like it.
“Take her to the infirmary,” Niko speaks up on my behalf. “Someone needs to make sure the sick and weak are taken care of. I entrust their safety to you.”
“You better hurry, then,” Lady Thalia says just as the screams get louder. Now it’s not only Nephilim, but blood-curdling screams of fear and pain.
Niko wastes no time scooping Evangeline up and kissing her within an inch of her life. I try to look away, but I’m drawn to them like a moth to a flame. They break apart, their chests rising and falling with a mixture of need and adrenaline. “Stay safe.”
“You too,” she says breathlessly, glancing over at me. “And you as well.”
I give her a curt nod before Lady Thalia takes her hand, carefully but swiftly leading her toward the infirmary.
Niko watches them leave before turning to me. Now it’s my turn to pull him into my arms and kiss him. Even his lips carry the taste of Evangeline, a perfect blend of the two of them.
“Let’s go.”
And with that, we run—into the storm, into the fight, into the future—to defend our kingdom.