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“Looks like they're keeping the extra security measures in place.” Tristan brought up a number and called it. “That's wise, what with Bart and Osric on the loose.”
As he lifted the phone, the sting of Bart's betrayal returned and the fear of being trapped in a circle came with it. The danger hadn't ended. But we had ended the constant fear, isolation, and pain. It was enough for me.
“Tanvi,” Tristan said into the phone. “It's Tristan. Destiny and I are at the gate.”
I couldn't hear her response, but Tristan's expression shifted to something in between amusement and exasperation.
“Yes, we're both fine. Better than fine, actually. We need to speak with the Conclave.” He paused. “No, it can't wait. Please open the gate.” Another pause. “Thank you.” He ended the call and glanced at me. “She wanted to know why we didn't call ahead to schedule an appointment.”
I laughed. “Of course she did.”
The gates swung open with a low mechanical hum. Tristan drove through, and the ward shivered over me. We parked near the front door, and Tristan came around to open my door. His hand found mine as we walked up the steps, and I felt Heartbreak pulse gently beneath my skin, content and quiet—part of us, not just a passenger.
Tanvi met us in the entrance hall, her dark hair pulled back in its usual practical braid and her expression a mix of concern and curiosity. “You look different,” she said to Tristan.
“I feel different.” He smiled.
“What happened?”
“We'll explain to everyone at once,” I said.
She studied us for another moment, then nodded. “Follow me.”
We walked through the familiar corridors, and into a dining room at the back of the central portion of the manor, done in a Regency style. Four Conclave members sat around a long dining table, breakfast plates before them. A sideboard near the wall held platters of food, carafes of water and juice, and a steel coffee urn. All for five people.
“Something to drink? Tanvi waved at the sideboard. “Or eat? Please help yourselves.”
“Thank you.” I poured myself a glass of orange juice while Tristan got a coffee.
Without Bart there to rush us or complain, the room was quiet, the Conclave members patiently waiting for the rules of propriety to be seen to.
Once we sat down, Seraphel said, “I'm glad you've come. We need to talk about what happened.”
“First, we need to talk about what happened this morning between me and Destiny,” Tristan said. “We completed the Severing.”
Silence.
Cassian straightened, his expression sharpening. “How are you both?”
“We're well. Better than well.” Tristan's voice was steady, but I could feel the emotion beneath it. “Destiny welcomed Heartbreak instead of resisting it, just as she did when she took my pain. She gave it her love, and Heartbreak divided itself between us.”
I pulled the collar of my shirt aside, revealing my golden sigil.
“Heartbreak is content,” Tristan said. “Destiny balanced it with love, and our love has made it happy. I can feel its relief. And Destiny—”
“It's at peace inside me too,” I said. “There's no pain, just a small ache.”
“Have you experienced a Pull yet?” Tanvi asked.
“Not yet, but I'm not afraid of it. Destiny has taught me that Heartbreak is necessary. I can give it freedom now without worry. I trust it, and that has changed our relationship for the better. We're no longer enemies forced to exist in one body. Now, we're friends.”
Seraphel leaned forward in his chair, his severe features unreadable. “This is unprecedented.”
“It changes things.” Alistair's voice was hushed. “If the Severing can bring balance, not just a lessened burden, more Curses will attempt it.”
“Other Curses could find their own Destiny.” Cassian added. “Someone not just to love them enough to share their burden, but who is the perfect person for them and their Curse. A Curse's soulmate, if you will, to balance them.”
“We need to be careful about how we present this,” Tanvi said, looking around the table. “Yours is only the first case, and it may be a one-off. We can't guarantee it will work for everyone the way it worked for you.”
