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“I’ve slept enough.” He shrugged.
I walked backward, watching him for as long as I could, nervous that I’d spot a hint of darkness in his gaze. Normal, loving, joking, playful Daethian returned my stare until we couldn’t see each other anymore.
* * *
Good things are coming today,I thought, as I moved quickly toward the room where Geeta was being kept. First Daethian was awake and now the witch was going to give all the remaining Nymphs their powers back. Happily ever after tales suddenly felt real and tangible.
With a twist of the knob, I found the door unlocked, and let myself in. Not a single guard was posted at any point down this stretch of hallway so I had half thought that maybe Dace had yet to get here. As I stepped into the room, I found Jesseline curled up in a chair like a cat. Geeta was standing, wearing something eerily similar to items in Jesseline’s wardrobe. Then there was Dace.
Dressed in pressed, sea-green slacks, a matching jacket, and a soft pink shirt, he held a small glass of what I assumed was whiskey. He stared out the small window, the crown on his head glinting in the sun as he turned to face me.
“That bad?” I asked, looking at the glass.
He nodded and drank the rest of his drink down like a shot, then set it on the desk as he finished. “Gang’s all here. Are we ready?”
“Let’s get this over with,” Jesseline said. “I’m done being on babysitting duty.”
“I’ve said all along I didn’t need a babysitter.” Geeta beamed, tugging the new cloak tighter around her.
I laughed, though I knew it wasn’t a joke to the witch, and crossed the room, closing the space between me and Dace. Alcohol still lingered on his breath. Pushing myself up to stand on the tips of my toes, I pressed a kiss to his cheek, letting him wrap an arm around my waist. My body melted against his.
“Daethian is awake,” I said quietly.
Dace straightened, looking down at me, his long eyelashes fluttering in surprise. “Which Daethian?”
“Brown-eyed, only resents you slightly, but doesn’t actually hate you, Daethian.”
“Thank the gods,” he whispered, pressing his lips against my hairline. “I hadn’t a clue how we were going to fix that issue.”
“You broke Daethian’s curse?” Jesseline piped up.
“Yeah, all it took was for him to die and come back,” I said, my eyebrows furrowing as I thought. Hadn’t the witch said that all along? The curse couldn’t be undone and the only thing that could help him was death itself?
My attention flicked up to Geeta. Her hands were carefully balanced on her hips, her mouth split open in a grin that showed off every single one of her flesh-ripping teeth. Slowly, she lifted her chin.
“Did you find the loophole?”
“You wicked creature.” I pointed a finger at her, unsure if I should be angry or laugh.
“Spells bind me in ways you can’t imagine, either.” She licked her teeth.
“Well, I for one have had enough of this witch. I’m tired of looking at her.” Dace paused, shooting her a disapproving glance. “Full offense.”
“None taken.” She frowned.
“So, let’s get a move on.” He twirled a finger in the air. “Jesseline, you stay with the witch. I’ll drop Ryker off first. Then I’ll be back to get the witch and I’ll meet you there.”
“Does King Windre know we’re coming?” I tilted my head to rest on his shoulder.
“Yes, and I’m sure that he has assembled the entire band of misfits to join us.” His tone was teasing. No matter how he played it off like our friends in the Acture Court were a nuisance, I knew he secretly enjoyed every second with them. Well, most seconds. Maybe not the ones where Graceson spoke.
Dace inclined his head toward Jesseline. One arm wrapped around my side and with the other, he stroked his thumb along my jaw. “Close your eyes,” he whispered.
I pressed my eyes closed at the now-familiar sensation of Dace’s magic as it danced over my skin and covered us. The soft brush of his fingers under my chin vanished as he dropped his hand and I opened my eyes to see the Acture Court.
Shavarra sat on top of the table, leaning back onto her arms as she talked with Graceson. Jerydin sat curled in his seat, hunched into himself, looking across the table at Randsin, who was equally as quiet. Hattie was mid-laugh, her head tilted back, while she listened to whatever Graceson and Shavarra were saying. King Windre, in a long golden robe, stood by the window looking out upon his city with a small smile.
Shavarra was the first to notice us as we appeared in the corner of the room. She sat up, sliding off the table. “I’m so happy to see you both!”
