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“I heard you talking, is she awake?” Emrick’s low voice is like music to my ears. He bursts into the tent and sees for himself that I’m awake. Before I can even process what is happening, I’m cradled in his arms.
“Sweetheart, don’t scare me like that again," he scolds before crushing his lips into mine in a desperate kiss. I can practically feel the anguish my poor protector felt, though I don’t know how. He isn’t even bonded to me yet.
“Share, Emrick!” Bowen yells, gently yet firmly plucking me from his massive arms.
Bowen kisses my forehead and I see a tear trail down his cheek. Reaching up, I wipe it away, giving him a small smile.
“Darling, did you know that completely draining your magic could kill you? Do you know how dangerous that was?” he asks in a pained voice.
“Would it matter? I could feel myself weakening, but Jacob is my world, I can’t lose him. And I’d do it again, for any of you. I’m not sorry I did it, but I am sorry I worried you. And no, I didn’t
know I could die," I answer, quietly. My words are honest, but I’m sure that doesn’t make them sting any less.
“Darling, I love you," he says firmly. My eyes widen at his admission. He gently brushes his lips against mine. “I knew the moment I saw you drop. I was so scared I would lose you, and I regretted not telling you that, more than anything else.”
“I love you too, my king.”
Soft footsteps have me looking behind Bo to see Gerwyn approaching. He doesn’t demand to take me like the others. Instead he waits for Bowen to hand me over on his own. Once I’m in his arms he stares into my eyes. His gaze shows all of his emotions: hurt, desperation, love, fear and sadness. All warring with each other in those beautiful, violet depths.
“I’m so sorry I scared you. I’m okay, Wyn," I remind him, caressing his cheek. He closes his eyes and nuzzles into my neck. He stays that way for several minutes, before nipping my neck. He chuckles at my surprised yelp, the tension falling away.
“Don’t do that again, or I promise you there will be consequences," he murmurs, giving me a wink to show he is mostly joking. I feel a jolt of desire at his threat and I can’t help but wonder what he has in store for me.
“Alright, enough loving on the queen, take me to see Jacob. No arguing," I say, leveling each of them with a sharp look.
“If you can stand, I will take you sweetheart," Emrick promises, challenge in his eyes. That’s enough to get me to slowly stand. My movements are slow, trying to keep the dizziness at bay. Absently I rub at my chest, hating how weird I feel with no magic resting inside. Finally, I stand tall and waver for a few seconds before gaining my full balance.
Emrick is standing, watching every move I make with his arms crossed. But the moment he sees my triumphant smile, he walks over and wraps his arm around my waist. He’s supporting me lightly so I don’t use all of what little strength I have left and I’m grateful for it.
Jacob’s tent is set up near mine on the plateau. The walk is slow and unsteady, but leaning into Emrick makes it worth it. Doubt hits me as we stand outside. I’m still worried I won’t like what I see.
“It’s just Jacob,” I whisper to myself. Shaking my head, I take a deep breath before entering.
The interior is dim and cool, but as my eyes land on Jacob I can’t hold back the sobs any longer. I would have collapsed if it wasn’t for Emrick holding me up still.
He’s okay.
“It’s okay, Queenie, I’m alive and recovering," Jacob reassures me. I take a few calming breaths before I can even look at him again.
Then I see it. The not so subtle changes and I know right away I was the reason behind it. That or the Spirits heard my pleas.
“Jacob, you’re fae now?” I choke out in surprise. His skin is the same shade as mine. But that’s where the similarities end. His hair went from warm chestnut brown to a midnight black with an almost violet tint to it. His eyes are no longer bluish gray, but a strong shining silver that’s mesmerizing. His once round ears are pointed like mine. But the most important thing is that his smile is still the same. I know I’ll never take it for granted again.
“Apparently you hated not being related, so you turned me into a real fae,” he jokes, but his smile is happy. “Thanks for saving me Bella.”
“I couldn’t have lived without you," I tell him honestly. “You mean too much to me. I need to know what happened though, someone needs to be punished." I feel my magic flare up with my anger, and it feels good to have it back, filling all the empty spaces.
Nobody hurts my best friend and gets away with it.
“It was Gwen. Apparently she was your other traitor. She offered to teach me how to spar, but when we were sparring her face completely changed and she pulled her dagger on me. She ranted about you taking her lover away, so she would take someone you love. She knew that I was the one you loved most," he explains, his eyes shadowed as he relived his nightmare.
“Where is she?” I demand, directing that question at Emrick.
“She ran through the portal. We were all so desperate to save Jacob that nobody stopped her,” he looks down in shame. I take a deep, calming breath so I don't take my anger out on the wrong people.
“Don’t be ashamed, Jacob will always be my top priority. You did the right thing. We need to seal the portal against her, like we did for Allwyn. And who the fuck sits by and watches their lover seduce another woman?” I’m disgusted at the thought and enraged at the idea of them making a joke out of me.
But something doesn’t add up, she seemed not to know what Allwyn was up to when they spoke in the mirror. But Gwen was here all along.
