And more people need me who have taken a piece of my heart, too.
A hand lands on my shoulder, but I brush it off—too afraid to hurt anyone. Every part of me is fighting against the magic as it tries to break free. Fighting against the agonising pain attacking my body from the inside.
“I really hope you find a way to get over yourself. All the hate between us? It could’ve been fixed if you’d just asked me what happened that night.”
He glares down at me with his hypnotising hazel green eyes that reminded me of the forest.
“Lucky for you, you won’t have to deal with me much longer,” I step closer—closer than he probably wants, closer than I am comfortable with, but I don’t care anymore.
I’ll most likely be dead soon anyway.
The strong scent of frosted pine, worn leather, and a faint hint of honey fills my lungs. I hate how familiar it is—how it slips under my skin and settles there, like it's meant to be.
“Look after them,” I whisper, the fight draining out of me as I turn away.
Part of me aches to save him—from the darkness Vespera is infecting him with and changing him into someone I don’t even recognise. But the truth is, I might never get the chance.
What I can do is save Ronan and Kieran, hurt that bitch enough to give them a shot at escaping and hiding from her. But no matter what, I’ll fight with everything I have to stay alive.
My body screams at me in protest, then a small, warm hand catches mine before I can take another step out of here. Daleyza. She looks at me, eyes glassy with unshed tears, before signing.
You can’t do this alone.
My breath hitches, and I squeeze her hand in mine, trying to swallow the lump in my throat. I have spent my whole life fighting alone—and I don't know how to do anything else.
I push a loose curl from her face, and before I can say anything, another hand takes mine.
Drew.
“My brother's a dick,” he says, “but you can’t leave. If you do, I’m coming with you.”
I give him a soft smile as I fight the urge to cry.
“We are coming with you.” Daleyza signs, just after she nudges her brother.
“Don’t be an idiot, Drew,” Darian mutters from behind me.
I ignored him because Drew was still holding my hand, and Daleyza was too. I hadn’t known them long, but they cared. They had made me laugh, made me feel normal, and stood up for me against their older brother when they didn’t have to.
My mother used to say it would always be the two of us—her and me—against all the realms and kingdoms.
Then she died.
Now, I’ve found them, and I don’t want to be alone again.
I just need to end Vespera. That part doesn’t scare me—because I know there’s a far more dangerous monster waiting for me when I’m done. And he wears my fate like a crown.
Daleyza throws her arms around me, and I let myself sink into her warmth. Her wild curls brush against my cheek, grounding me. She’s the only one who truly knows who I am—knows the weight I carry—and still keeps it a secret. She doesn’t look at me like I’m broken or dangerous,
Then Drew wraps his arms around both of us, and the pressure in my chest eases just enough to breathe. It doesn’t erase the sting of Darian's words or the pain that is being inflicted on Ronan.
Nobody would even notice if you died.
“You need to go. Now.” Darian’s voice cut through the quietness. Sharp. Commanding. But beneath it, I hear it—the tremor of something unspoken, something that sounds a hell of a lot like fear.
I blink back the tears burning at the edge of my vision, forcing my shoulders straight as I glance at the twins when they let go. Daleyzas is trying to hold it together, and Drew looks like he’s seconds away from decking his own brother. I offer them a small, sad smile that feels more like a goodbye than I want it to.
“I’ll see you soon,” I lie, voice soft but steady.
