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Then Iggy strolled away, leaving me there. I was too drained to stand. Alone on the ground, I looked at the green grass, at the repaired grave markers, and I saw that there had been so much magic channeled through me that good had been wrought. There was no battle, no war, and no enemy to carry tales.
But there was something more ferocious than that, and I had raised him myself.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
“Geneviève?”Eli crouched down and scooped me into his arms.
“Everyone okay?” I asked.
“Yes.” Eli marched through the graveyard toward the still-open gate, carrying me bridal-style. He was angry. I could feel it.
“Sorry.” I wasn’t sure what I’d done, but I figured I should apologize.
He paused. “I passed out, presumably when you did. Then, Beatrice reluctantly brought me here.”
“I’m missing something.” I wasn’t sure if it was my exhaustion or what, but Eli’s tone was reserved.
“The cemetery was under a dome. Impervious.” Eli glanced down. “Beatrice, Lauren, and I tried, but could not fracture it. And Blackwood was nowhere to be found . . . was he reinterred?”
“Iggy is alive and . . .” I gestured toward the city.
“Alive?”
“Very.” I rested my head against Eli. “Can we wait until later to deal with the next disaster, Eli?”
He kissed my forehead and strode toward the gate, holding me aloft. Despite the way I typically felt about such a position, I was fine with it. I had little faith that I could stand, and I knew that my husband wouldn’t suddenly think I was weak if I allowed him to carry me after exhausting myself protecting all of us.
“Take me home, Eli.”
“Yours or mine?” He carried me through the gate. His car was parked there.
I slid from his arms, so I was standing staring at him, leaning against him. His hands fell on my hips, and I swayed toward him. Tilting my face to look up at him, I admitted, “Home is where you are.”
He opened the car door, so I could slide-fall-fold into the passenger seat.
“Your house will need repairs.” Eli clicked my seatbelt. “And my house is a refuge for Christy, Jesse, and Sera.”
“The Outs?Elphame? I just want somewhere to sleep in your arms.” I was weary in a way that magic had typically not left me. “Take me somewhere we can rest.”
“Elphame.” Eli closed my door and went to the driver’s side. Inside the car, he dialed a number and handed me the phone.
“Eli? Have you—”
“Jesse, it’s me.” I cut into his question. “Tell everyone I’m fine.Everyone. Mama Lauren, too. Have her tell my grandmother. And call Ally.”
“Damn it, Gen. We weren’t able to get to you, not even Mama Lauren.” Jesse sounded angry, relieved, and exhausted all at once.
“I’m fine. Threats handled. Witch sleepy.” I looked over at Eli as he drove. “We’ll park the car at Eli’s house. You guys can stay there tonight. We’re going . . . home toElphamefor a bit.”
“Gen . . .”
“I need somewhere safe to sleep.” I reached out to take Eli’s hand. “And I’m a newlywed, Jesse. I have a husband who owes me—”
“Nope! Don’t want to hear it.” Jesse laughed though. “You’re my little sister, Geneviève. I don’t need to hear about some man debauching you.”
“Mmm. Debauching,” I teased.
“Do not say a word,” Jesse ordered. “But, Gen? I’m glad you’re not dead. We all are.”
