Chapter Twelve
Kade
In a hidden cave tucked into the coastline, an ancient dock ran parallel to a stone platform, its posts overrun by barnacles and sea sludge.
A lantern buzzed bright with magic, hanging from the rusty bollard at the end of the dock, casting the sudsy sapphire waves and sandstone rock in a golden hue.
Kade shook the off-kilter sensation in his legs, hurrying after Evelyn as she hiked up a set of weathered stairs. They’d had a swift reunion at Tùir, with no time for sweet words before they said their goodbyes to Ruth and Mirella, hurried into a boat, and set off back across the angry bay.
Now, Evelyn’s silence roared louder than the crashing waves echoing deep below Nūa.
“How do you know this place?” he asked.
Evelyn faltered a step, then kept walking, not bothering to turn to him. “As a teenager, I used to come here to hide away.”
Kade winced at her curt tone, sighing as he stared down at his boots. The witch’s creed lined the ancient stone steps, each word carved with precision:
Our eyes to the Sun, and hearts full of fire, minds open, and hands for good.
Whilst pouring over texts back in Callum, the words of the creed had once pushed Kade and Evelyn apart as they fell farther into the murder investigation.
It often felt like centuries separated them from that time, not months.
Things were different. They were different.
But some things hadn’t changed. Kade recognized Evelyn’s hurt a mile away, and he didn’t question if he’d caused it.
“Evelyn, look at me.”
His mate stilled two steps above him, shoulders rising and falling as she heaved.
“Ev, please.”
She turned slowly, lips in a thin line and jaw set. She’d acted against the words of the Council, risked her coven, and swam across the sea.
All for him.
“I’m sorry,” he breathed.
Evelyn shook her head, tears welling in her gray eyes. “No. You don’t get to just say those words and expect it to all be alright.”
“I know I fucked up,” he said. “I’m aware—”
Evelyn marched down a step. “What are we, Kade?”
He paused, chest tightening. “Mates.”
“No.” Evelyn shook her. “Before we loved one another, before we tied our souls together, what were we?”
Kade studied his mate’s beautiful face etched with hurt.
The words below his boots seemed to tickle his feet, and moments in Callum rushed to the forefront of his mind.
The time they’d agreed to work together in the Runaway Radish.
Fighting side by side inside Connacht Castle. Entering the Gray Wood.
“Partners.”
Evelyn nodded, and Kade’s heart cracked at the sad smile lining her lips. “Yes. We are partners, and yet you walked away from me.”
“I burned you with my power.”
Evelyn grabbed his wrist, forcing him to look at her. “Pushing me away hurt more than any wound could.”
“Ev . . . ”
She swallowed, her expression so adamant Kade had no choice but to stare into the determined gleam in her eyes. “No matter what we face, may it be matters of the heart or an enemy on the battlefield, we face it together. I am with you through anything and everything, Kade. I swear it.”
Moons, he loved this woman.
His heart swelled, and regardless of their severed mating bond, in a cave, tucked away from the rest of their homeland, her words etched into his soul. Her promise. Her love. Her partnership.
Kade leaned his forehead onto hers. “Alright, love.”
She released a shaky gasp. “Never again?”
“Never,” he whispered. “You were right. I fear my power, and I’d be lying if I said I still didn’t, but with you by my side, I can face anything. I’ll master it, Evelyn. That is my promise to you.”
She lay her hand on his cheek. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
He planted his lips on hers, and it wasn’t hungry or sweet, but just. Not third borns, protectors, or even mates, but two souls who loved one another enough to fight, rage, and battle whatever threatened their peace.
Evelyn kissed him with the same tenderness, hand fisted in his shirt as she held him close.
She pulled away, peering up at him. “Whatever comes next—”
“We’ll figure it out—”
“Together.”
They said the last word in unison, as one. Kade kept his fingers intertwined into Evelyn’s, the simple, barest touch enough to keep them standing amid their racing hearts.
“Where exactly are we?” he asked, studying the cave’s curves. Waterlines etched into the rock, edges smoother near the water’s edge and the ceiling dotted with sharp stalactites.
Evelyn led them towards the top of the stairs.
“Technically, we’re underneath the library.
” She nodded towards the left. “That leads to a direct route to the south entrance of the city where Bleu and Maxie are waiting for us at the stables, while that door”—Evelyn nodded right—“leads straight into Nūa Library through a hidden passage. I have a hunch, but it is a risk.”
Kade shrugged. “We’re used to risk. What’s your hunch?”
“What if Circe is Riven’s contact in the city?” she asked.
Kade stilled, his muscles stiffening. He’d forgotten the prince had two spies, one in the Vadon Mountains, his now dead uncle, and another in Nūa.
“She wanted to take my bloodstone and threw you into Tùir. What better way to set Riven up for success if he attacked the city? Perhaps she provided him with Blair’s address, and according to Tovi, the prince was informed of our wedding plans.
Where and when. She’s on the Council, Kade, privy to that information. ”
“Moons.” Kade agreed with Evelyn’s assessment. The Elder unnerved him and his wolf. Further, he’d detected a history between Evelyn and Circe. One weaved with fear.
“Do you think she’s the sort of witch to fall to darkness?” he asked. “Like Ingrid?”
Evelyn frowned. “Yes. Trust me. Circe isn’t a kind witch.”
Kade’s wolf reared to life. “Did she hurt you?”
“We don’t have time for specifics,” she said, shaking her head.
“We need to be out of this city before sunrise.” She glanced at the door on the right.
“Circe is a leading scholar with an office in the southern wing. I’ve seen the letters from whoever wrote to Riven, the symbols, the handwriting.
I understand it’s a risk. Maybe I’m wrong. But I have this feeling.”
“Then let’s trust it.” Kade stepped closer, giving her hand a deliberate squeeze.
Evelyn blinked. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, it’s better to rule out the possibility than do nothing.” He assessed Evelyn again, wishing he could grasp hold of their mating bond even just a hint, so he knew exactly how she felt. “But are you sure want to leave Nūa? This is your home.”
His mate laid a hand on his chest. “I don’t think it is anymore.”
A flighty sense swarmed Kade’s belly. He kissed her again. Soft and slow. Taking his time.
When he broke away, he whispered against her lips, “Let’s go, love.”