Mal remembered it clearly. The way Maeve’s hand moved over her stomach, the way she stared up at him in disbelief as they lay beside one another in a mass of sheets. The smile that blossomed on her face when his kiss was a silent confirmation that she was indeed pregnant with his child.
Maxius listened intently, a fondness in his gentle expression, as Mal continued.
“We saw a boy who would be the best parts of us both.”
Maxius shook his head, his hands moving swiftly. Istill don’t understand my Magic, or why I have access to it now.
“I can’t say I understand either,” said Mal, fingers still trailing Maxius’ impossibly soft hair. “Your grandfather once told me Magic was alive, something all to itself. So no, I don’t understand why. But I do know what we must do now. And so do you, it seems.”
Mal’s fingers moved over Maxius’ cheeks, grateful his son didn’t recoil from his drained appearance, hoping that he, too, would remember what little time they’d had together as father and son.
Together they tensed as distantly Maeve took a harsh blow.
Maxius’ eyes widened, pleadingly, silently begging for Mal to go and help his mother. How could Mal deny those eyes? Every moment that Shadow lived was a threat to his son’s life. She would come for him and take him apart, strip him bare, just as she had Mal. She wouldn’t stop until she’d consumed his heir. That had been made clear.
He wouldn’t let her touch Maxius. He wouldn’t let her abuse his son.
“Are you ready?” Mal asked.
Maxius nodded.
They shifted on the bed, and Maxius moved to his knees as they faced one another. He reached a single finger towards Mal’sforehead, as Magic surged around them in anticipation. The pad of Maxius’ fingers touched down, and Mal’s blood instantly heated. It surged through him, transforming him as Maxius poured Maeve’s Dread Magic into him. Where Shadow’s absorption had been cruel, taking, unforgiving, and vile, this was pure.
And gods above—it wasMaeve.
He was regenerated and renewed beneath her beautiful essence.
Then came Maxius’ own Dread Magic, the Magic required in prophetic certainty for Mal to defeat Shadow. It was heavy, and it was greater in volume and potency than Maeve’s. It moved through him in thick waves as Maxius used his Shadow Magic to channel nearly all of his Magic.
As he finished, Maxius heaved a sigh, his eyes rolling back and his shoulders sliding sideways. Mal grabbed him gently at once, noticing then the color slowly returning to his long fingers, to his skin. Spinel rubbed against Maxius, purring loudly.
The boy opened his eyes, dazed only for a moment. His eyes scanned over Mal quickly, and he smiled.
You look better,he signed quickly, tucking his legs beneath him and petting Spinel.
Mal sighed, letting the weight of the Magic he’d been given settle over him. He touched his palm to his cheek, feeling a light flush, the return of his humanity. He rolled his neck and shoulders, renewed strength coiling through him.
Mal’s fingers tucked beneath Maxius’ chin. “You truly are your mother’s son. Extraordinary in every way.”
Maxius’ face lit up.
As Mal prepared to Obscure, Maxius’ hands grabbed his.
“No,” said Mal at once. “You must stay here.”
Under no circumstances was he getting anywhere near Shadow. This battle was for him and his Little Viper.
Maxius withdrew his hands and looked up at Mal. He huffed a sigh.
“You must stay here,” said Mal with a soft smile, running his fingers through his hair. “Who will protect Spinel if you are gone?”
Maxius looked over at the onyx cat, who chirped in approval, and covered his mouth with joy.
“Run and find Zimsy,” said Mal, and the pair of them bounced off the bed at once.
Mal closed his eyes, and with a low sigh, he gathered Maeve’s Magic, which would always be desperate to return to her, and used it to guide him to wherever she battled Shadow.
He Obscured, dark mist wrapping and transporting his body from her chamber, and landed directly behind her on the side of the mountain just as she took a substantial hit from Shadow’s advance. Maeve spun, colliding into him.
