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Livia’s eyes glistened with tears. She opened her slender arms. “Mir! Gods!”

Bloodsinger’s boiling crimson eyes glared at me, then at Tait over his queen’s shoulder.

Not a word. Don’t. Speak. Oh, bleeding hells. I broke.

Affection for my dearest friend rushed in my veins, but Livia—and Tait—would need to forgive me. Instead of running for the queen’s embrace, I cut across the hall straight for her sneering mate.

Erik Bloodsinger favored black tunics and leather across his shoulders. I would never relent that his blades were merely for show. The damn Ever King could kill well enough with his horrid blood and had little need for steel.

Still, when I flung my arms around Erik’s neck, the way he jolted, I was certain he was ready to run me through with the sword on his waist.

“I know what you’ve done for him.” My voice broke. I tightened my hold on his neck.

Erik froze. His hands were out by his sides, locked in stun.

Until he shifted, tugging at my arms squeezing his neck. “Songbird,” he grunted. “Get her off, I need her off me. Love? Your help.”

Let him squirm. I had words of gratitude to say to the Ever King.

Voice low, I pulled back just enough for Erik to hear. “I wasn’t supposed to say anything, but thank you. For killing those bastards who hurt him.”

Erik’s gaze landed on his cousin for half a breath, then returned to the steely sharpness I’d come to know from the Ever King. “Don’t know what you’re talking about. Now, go embrace my queen.”

I flashed Erik a wide smile and did as he commanded. Livia, a little startled by my actions with her mate, soon let the stun fall away and collided against me. Her shoulders shook in quiet sobs. Her fingers threaded through my loose hair down my back.

“Livie,” I said, voice soft, “many apologies for being so tardy in my arrival.”

Livia snorted and squeezed me harder, one hand cradling my head. “I’ll expect you to make up for it by remaining here for at least a turn. Three hells, Mira. I know you understand the feeling, but the thought of never seeing you again…” Livia’s words trailed off.

“Yes, I know the feeling well.” My voice broke, but I snapped a glare back to Erik. “Hear that, Bloodsinger? This is what you put me through. I do hope you feel a little remorse for all that kidnapping nonsense.”

“Only because you earth fae always invade my palace.”

Livia snickered and pulled back. Her cheeks were soaked in tears. “You’re well?”

“I’m all right. Thanks to Hearttalker. He kept us all alive.”

Erik and Tait stood two paces apart, shoulder to shoulder, each avoiding any hint of looking at the other. Gods, they were both sods. They’d kill for each other, likely give their lives to defend the other, but faced with heartfelt relief one was alive, they hardly knew what to say.

Livia gave Tait a brief embrace. I noticed the tick in his jaw. Perhaps Livie sensed his disquiet better than I knew, for she pulled away promptly. “Tait. Once again, I am pleased you’re safe and well. Thank you for protecting her.”

Erik slipped an arm around Livia’s waist. “I want to know what happened and where you’ve been. I want to know what happened to my crew.”

Livia flattened a hand over Erik’s heart. “Serpent, can we not give them a moment?”

“No, love.” Erik’s face softened. “I’d like to get a few words in before they’re overtaken with—”

“Mira!” The door crashed open again. There, in the doorway, Jonas stood, Skadi at his side. Like his brother, Jonas’s eyes were an ashy shade, as though the black of his mesmer had only started to fade.

“Never mind.” Erik let out a sigh of annoyance. “It’s too damn late.”

Jonas Eriksson was a maelstrom of words and embraces and demands to know what right I had to disappear in such a way. Tighter than anyone, he crushed me in his arms.

“No more,” Jonas grumbled. “I refuse to lose another damn princess from the earth realms. You’re banished from the Ever Seas and ships for all time. Understand?”

“I did not know you were my father, Jo.”

“I think Ari will agree with me.”