She already knew they were.
Arthur followed her gaze. “Dominic said the Volkhov didn’t take it easy when they went public with her witchcraft, but it wasn’t unmanageable. So many had suspected, after all.”
“She’s finally able to live freely,” Dani murmured.
“Aye.” Arthur folded his arms. “Volkhov aren’t used to bending, but they didn’t have a choice this time. They can’t deny the power that strengthens them.”
“And the Nordan?” Dani asked. “Are you going to bend?”
Arthur didn’t immediately answer, but his hand found hers on the balcony rail, fingers brushing hers with the barest hesitation before settling.
“We already have,” he said quietly.
Dani traced her thumb along the side of his hand. The bruises on his knuckles were gone; the Ice Bear’s imprint had faded to a faint shimmer under his skin. He’d spent the last seven days pretending he wasn’t healing too slowly, that the shift hadn’t taken more from him than he let on. She’d spent the last seven days pretending she didn’t notice.
“They’re still afraid of us,” she said.
“They’re afraid of everything right now,” Arthur corrected. “Hybrids, witches, vampires, shifters. If fear were enough to stop them, neither of us would be standing here.”
Dani breathed in the cold air, letting the scent of pine and distant sea settle her.
Down below, Aurelia darted between wolves and witches alike, wearing a too-large Nordan coat lined with fur. Half the adults had attempted to intercept her, yet none had succeeded. She’d already charmed two Volkhov pups and was currently showing a Severney wolf how to do a fist bump.
“She’s ridiculous,” Dani said softly.
“She’s ours,” Arthur said, proud and bewildered in equal measure.
A warmth unfurled inside Dani, blooming slow and steady.
Ours.
No matter what the packs decided, no matter what storms were coming,thatpart she wouldn’t give up.
A horn blew from the square. Dominic raised an arm, calling for silence. Rory stepped forward beside him, Kiara at his shoulder.
Arthur straightened. “Time.”
Dani’s stomach fluttered, not with nerves, but with the sense of a page turning.
“We’re really doing this,” she said.
“Aye.” He looked at her. “All of us. Together.”
She turned, meeting his eyes fully.
A week ago, she wouldn’t have believed those words. A week ago, she’d thought he’d never accept her magic, her coven, the part of her he’d been taught to fear. She still didn’t know if he’d accepted it entirely. But he was trying. Daily. Stubbornly.
And she…
She was tired of denying herself hope.
“Let’s go,” she said.
They descended the stairs and stepped out into the cold morning. Chase fell in beside Arthur, hair uncombed, scarf patterned with tiny wolves someone (Aurelia) had forced him to wear.
“Big day,” Chase murmured.
“Behave,” Arthur replied.
