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“It’s a natural spring,” Kaito says. “It’s fed by underground water that keeps it warm at all times. You’ll never find yourself cold here.” He gently tips my chin up. “This place is ancient. Old magic lives in the stone that forms the basin. The legends of this place speak of cleansing and awakening. From what I understand, those who swim within the waters are released from magical barriers. I don’t know how true that is, since I’ve never swam here, but I figure it’s worth a try.”
His crooked grin makes me melt, my own answering smile splitting my lips. “Of course it’s worth a try,” I tease. “And if all else fails, swimming will surely release something.”
It’s only then, as I look into the distance, that I realize we’re not far from the castle I’ve often seen from a distance in the Dead Lands. The old castle, with black, menacing spires, glitters like a well-lit beacon. No longer is it a sleeping giant, not when my sister calls it her home with her monsters. We’re close enough that I can make out people on the balconies, and I wonder if one of them is Cora. The thought makes me miss her and for once, it doesn’t send excruciating pain through my chest. Perhaps, one day, I’ll be able to look her in the eye without flinching. Perhaps, I’ll be able to hug her close and tell her I’m sorry for all the grief I’ve caused.
“What is it?” Kaito asks, leaning down to press his forehead against mine. “Did I choose our destination incorrectly?”
“No,” I counter, shaking my head. “No, not at all. I just . . . I feel so much more alive right now.”
Kaito straightens, his eyes bright as he studies me. “Alive?”
My smile is bright as I loop my arms around his shoulders again. “Alive,” I repeat. Standing on my tiptoes, I lean up to his face. “Kiss me again, Kaito,” I encourage. “Kiss me here in this place so full of magic, it saturates the air. Kiss me so that I can taste the wild sea on your lips.”
Kaito doesn’t need any extra prompting. He leans down and presses his lips to mine. At first, it starts just like the other, tentative and careful, a barely there meeting of lips that isn’t quite enough. With a groan of arousal, I press myself tightly against him and deepen the kiss, parting my lips over his and tasting him completely. Kaito gasps, and his hands are suddenly harsh against my hips, pressing our bodies so tightly together, it makes me wish there weren’t clothing creating a barrier between us. He takes control of the kiss, coaxing my lips open enough for his tongue to sweep inside. He’s careful of his teeth, of deepening the kiss in case it all becomes too much, but it never does. Instead, I can feel the tingles beneath my skin that feel like lightning. My fingers buzz with the sensation and take hold of it. Everything inside me begs for it to release, for something to happen, and as we continue to kiss, the lightning comes from the inside out.
I can see the glow through my eyelids, but I don’t stop, desperate for more. I feel less numb right now than I’ve felt since the king first took me. Right here, right now, with one of my monsters, I feel safe. I’m starting to feel less broken in his arms.
The glow brightens, and Kaito gasps as the lightning trails from my skin to his, accepting him as my own and caressing him the same way I do. Whatever this magic is, it’s as much theirs as it is mine. I’m healing and living all because of my four monsters.
Carefully, with lightning dancing along my skin, I break the kiss and lean back with a smile. Kaito stares at me in wonder, his eyes wide and amazed.
“Beautiful,” he whispers, watching the lightning dance between us. “So beautiful.”
Taking his hand, I tug him toward the water behind us. “Come on, Kaito,” I say with a smile. “Let’s go for a swim.”
Chapter
Thirty-Three
CORA
Idon’t know what brings me to the balcony. One moment, I was inside, held in the arms of my monsters, and the next, I felt the overwhelming need to find the balcony and look out over the healing Dead Lands.
Strange, considering balconies and I have had a rocky relationship for the last year. They remind me too much of my sister, of her falling backwards over the banister and how I couldn’t save her.
I avoid them as much as I can, otherwise I have to relive that loss time and time again, but on this occasion, I seek one out.
Despite the time, my grief hasn’t lessened. We were never able to retrieve her body, and despite how foolish it makes me, I can’t stop myself from feeling hope. I know it’s futile. I know what my monsters have gently warned me of. It matters not. My heart wants Kai to live. It wants her to appear on my doorstep, whole, alive, and happy.
Unfortunately, the chances of that are as slim as the three realms suddenly getting along. Besides the uprisings in the Shadow Lands, many in the Gilded Lands despise having to share resources they were once given for nothing. It’s been awhirlwind of change and it will take longer, but I’m prepared to face it all.
As long as my monsters remain at my side.
Grimus, Zetros, Bracken, Krug, Nero, and Razcorr.
They are all as important to me as the air I breathe.
Despite their love, they can’t quite heal the loss of my sister. I’ve been able to dim it while I focus on healing the lands, but in moments like this, right here on this balcony, is when I miss her most.
I bow my head, sifting through my memories of Kai.
The two of us giggling in the darkness as we slipped from the house while our parents slept.
Her happiness when she finally met someone who wasn’t a complete asshole.
The tears trailing from her eyes as I was forced through the wall.
The haunted, hollow shell of her as she apologized and tipped over the edge.
