Page 223 of Volik

I try to control my tears as I reach an arm over Volik’s wide body and hug him. And when I don’t know what else to say, I repeat my words from earlier. “I love you.”

“Da,” he purrs. “I love you too, Nixy.” He presses a kiss to my hair. “Now sleep.”

Chapter 96

Volik

With my arm around her shoulders, I hold Nix against my side as she waves goodbye.

We have been saying goodbye for two hours, and people are finally starting to leave.

More of our gathered familia jump into the sky, leaving just my aunt, uncle, Barth, and his mate with us, on the hill where we first arrived.

“We will call you soon and arrange a visit. I want to see this house of yours.” Aunt Bridget pulls us both into a hug.

“There, there, Dear. The kids have already promised to have us over before the year is out.” Uncle shakes his head with a smile as he pulls his mate back.

We have promised. And we mean it.

And not just because they are going to keep searching for more cases of human mates.

I have isolated myself long enough. And Nix deserves to have a real family.

“So the druid who brought you here… Is his name Dread?” Barth’s eyes are wide as he asks.

“Da. You know him?”

Barth shakes his head. “No, but I’ve heard of him.”

I lift a brow. “Oh?”

“Have you not?” He looks at me in shock.

“I do not need to hear of him. I know him.”

“Yeah, but I mean… like have you heard about him?”

“Tell us.” Nix pokes me in the side.

“He’s like a prodigy. No one knows his heritage, but he’s strong. Like strong.” Barth holds his hands up in emphasis. “Rumor is he slipped realms when he was a teenager. And that was only like thirty years ago, so he’s still crazy young.”

“What does that mean, slipped realms?” Nix asks the right questions because I also want to know.

“Slipping realms is urban legend shit! It means⁠—”

Barth is talking with such excitement that I almost miss it. The soft crackling sound of magic.

Twisting my wrist, I send a directed pulse of energy at Barth.

It hits him before he gets his next word out, and his mouth snaps shut.

He jerks his head in my direction, but by the time his eyes meet mine, I know there’s a glowing portal a few strides behind me.

“Yes, well.” He clears his throat. “We’ll let you know when we have more to share and plan that visit.”

I dip my chin, then turn to face the portal.

Dread steps through.