Page 118 of Tale of the Heart Queen

“What?!” Atlas says. “You can’t do that!”

Though I can see the slight tremble in Gabriel’s limbs, he lifts his head high and holds his shoulders straight, his game face on.

“This is the last time we’ll ever speak,” he says. “Goodbye, Atlas.”

He then looks at his brothers and bows to each of them. Spinning on his heel, Gabriel stalks away to the sounds of Atlas shouting after him.

I run, catching up with Gabriel. Turning around one last time, I see the warders embracing one another, their faces pressed to each other’s shoulders.

Soon, Aphelion can begin to heal.

CHAPTER 43

NADIR

The morning after Atlas’s capture, we gather our things, preparing for our journey to Heart. Neither Lor nor I arrived with much, but we’ve stocked up with some new clothing and necessities. After we learned about Zerra’s sight when we’re in proximity to the Artefacts, I summoned Etienne to get the Crown away from us and to a safe location until we need it.

Two days ago, while out walking, I came across a blacksmith selling some of the most beautiful weapons I’ve ever seen. They sparkled in the sunlight, and when my gaze fell upon a dagger anchored with a red, heart-shaped stone in the hilt, I couldn’t help myself.

I retrieve it from where I’ve hidden it as I watch Lor stuff her pack. I catch her solemn expression. She hasn’t said anything about what happened with Cloris, but I know it’s on her mind.

She looks up, catching me watching her, and gives me an uncertain smile.

“Are you okay?” I ask, and she shrugs.

“I’m . . . nervous.” She tips her chin towards my hands. “What’s that?”

“Something for you,” I say as I approach with the dagger and hold it out to her. She looks at it, her gaze pausing on the heart stone, and then looks up at me. “I saw it and thought it would be perfect for you. As long as you don’t mind having something from Aphelion.”

She presses her lips together and shakes her head. “I don’t mind.” She reaches out and accepts it, pulling the blade from the sheath. “I think my feelings about this place have changed. Atlas will receive justice, and yesterday, I chose to forgive him for what he did to me. I won’t live with this in my heart or my mind anymore.”

She blows out a breath and looks up at me, and I’m so proud of how much she’s grown, my heart feels on the verge of bursting.

“And now they can all try to start over.”

The blade shines in the sunlight, and she tips it left and right, the reflection bouncing off its surface. “It’s beautiful,” she says. “Thank you.”

She approaches and loops her arms around my neck, stretching up on her tiptoes.

“I love you,” she says.

“I love you too.” My hands find her waist as I pull her in closer.

“You don’t think I’m a monster for what I did to Cloris yesterday?”

I arch an eyebrow. “Why would I think that? You know how hard I get when you’re violent, Lightning Bug.”

She huffs out a laugh and slaps me playfully on the shoulder. “I forgot who I was talking to.”

My smile tips up. “You know I love you no matter what. And that witch deserved it. If you hadn’t done it, I would have destroyed her on the spot.”

I take her chin between my fingers and kiss her deeply, reminding her just how much I love her. How this thing I feel for her extends straight through the earth to a place with no end. If fate is intent on separating us, I’d be happy to spend countless years—lifetimes if I had to—waiting for her because what we have is inescapable. Inevitable. As constant as the moon and stars.

“We should get going,” I say as I pull away, and she nods before sliding the dagger back into its hold.

We meet the others in the palace entry and say our goodbyes to Gabriel, Tyr, and Erevan. I notice Tristan and Nerissa in the corner, wrapped in each other’s embrace, as she looks up at him, speaking quietly. My gaze slides to Lor, who also watches her brother. It’s none of my business, but I can see how much she wants this for him.

I look away and then embrace Hylene, who will remain in Aphelion too. Apparently, she’s comfortable here, though she refused to give me details on what exactly she’s been up to with the captain of the king’s warders. I’ll get it out of her eventually.