She shouldn’t be here!
But she wouldn’t remain locked away, and hecouldn’t keep her from the realm she would rule with him.
His mind knew these things were true, and shewas strong enough to get through this with her shield intact, butnot only did the lycan prowl, but the shadows shifted and swayedaround them.
“Easy.” Lexi slid her hand into his. “I’mgoing to be okay. If I can sleep with the shield in place, then Ican make it through this.”
He could only manage a grunt in response ashe strained to keep the lycan from taking control. Lexi squeezedhis hand as she surveyed the portal.
“I wonder when Kaylia plans to teach me howto use portals,” she said. “It was the one thing I resented notbeing able to do the most when I had no powers. I thought it was soawesome that every other immortal could travel from one place toanother with such ease while I remained trapped in the human realm.I’m excited to learn how to create one.”
“We should have thought of that sooner,” hesaid. “It will be good for you to know in case you have to get awayfrom somewhere fast. We’ve been so focused on unlocking your arachabilities that I forgot to teach you how to use an ability mostimmortals possess.”
Lexi shrugged as they stepped from theportal. “I never said anything either.”
“I’m pretty sure all immortals open portalsin the same way. When it’s time to return to the manor, I’ll teachyou how to do it.”
She beamed as she rose on her toes to kisshis cheek. “That would be fantastic!”
He smiled too before recalling where theywere… and what was about to happen. The Gloaming had a way ofsurprising immortals; it had certainly surprised him more than afew times over the centuries he resided here.
CHAPTER 32
As he led her toward the door to the hall, aripple of happiness rolled through the palace.
“The palace is happy you’ve returned,” hetold her.
Lexi blinked at him before glancing aroundhis sitting room. “How do you know that?”
“It told me so,” he replied with a smile.
Lexi looked as if she didn’t believe him atfirst; then, she started to laugh. “If anything is going to dothat, it’s this palace.”
Cole had to agree, but he knew many horrorscame with the wonders. This place harbored a lot of secrets.
And it was more than content to keep themall.
He unlocked and opened the door beforeleading her into the hall and downstairs to the first level. Oncethere, the helots in the hall turned to face them. Shock registeredon their faces, and one of them squealed before rushing towardthem.
“Lexi!” Amaris exclaimed. “It’s so good tosee you again!”
Though she looked like she planned to run upto Lexi and throw her arms around her, she skidded to a halt a fewfeet away. Smiling, she clasped her hands before her and twistedthem in the skirt of her dress.
Stepping toward her, Lexi held out her hands,and Amaris grasped them.
“It’s good to see you too,” Lexi said.
Amaris beamed at her, but then her smilefaltered, and her gaze dropped to Lexi’s hand. She released anothersmall squeal, and when her eyes flew back up to Lexi’s, they dancedwith merriment.
“Oh my! Is it…?” Her eyes darted to Colebefore falling to the ring again.
“We’re engaged,” Cole confirmed.
Amaris squealed again and jumped up and downa little. “I have so many ideas for a wedding dress for you! Andyour hair!”
She reached for Lexi’s hair before recallingherself and yanking her hand back. “Pardon me, milord and lady. Iforgot myself. I’m sure you have plenty of ideas for your weddingdress and someone to make it.”
“Don’t apologize,” Lexi said. “I’m so gladsomeone in this realm is excited for us.”
