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They gasped in horror when they saw me, covered in blood, and I quickly embraced them, muttering quiet assurances.
Over my mother’s shoulder, I met Silas’s gaze.
We both knew that vampire law would come down upon our heads soon. I was ready to face the consequences of my actions head-on rather than hide from them, but first I needed to ensure Jade and the Coven’s escape from these lands.
“Liliane,” I muttered, detaching myself from my family’s arms and turning to the High Priestess who had followed. “Can we speak outside? I believe I could use some fresh air, and it will be easier for you all to portal back to the States, away from the castle’s wards.”
Jade jolted beside me. She lifted her face to mine, and I pressed my thumb against her dirtied, tear-stained cheeks for a moment before I urged her forward.
The forest surrounding the castle gleamed with crystalized snow. For the first time in my life, I stared up at the sun, noting the vibrance of each reflected color shimmering around me. If I had to draw breath to survive, it would have been sucked away at the staggering beauty.
Liliane and the handful of witches from the Salem Coven appeared bruised, but not mortally wounded. I let out a sigh of relief as I stepped forward to grasp the High Priestess’s hands. She let me guide her under a drooping pine tree, away from the others’ curious ears.
“Thank you, Liliane,” I murmured, imbuing as much gratitude as I could into my soft touch. “I can never repay your Coven’s bravery tonight. I understand you came as part of reparations for the losses you suffered from Trystan Dubois. Once we have dealt with the snakes remaining in our pit, I want to ensure we properly repay Salem for our crimes.”
The weathered skin around her tired eyes bounced with surprise before her lips quirked into a humorous grin. Her attention moved to Jade, and she waggled her brows. “Consider tonight’s pleasurable battle as payment, besides recovering the talismans your father stole from the Bled witches.”
“Absolutely.” I nodded. “Consider them yours.”
She sighed, her joyful expression dropping as she glanced back at Willa and the others. “It won’t be as easy to convince some of the other witches and warlocks to drop centuries-old prejudices, but I’m hopeful you and Jade may be a harbinger of a better world for all of us.”
My lips flattened, hoping such a future wouldn’t be a fantasy.
I had hurt Jade irreparably with my cowardice and lies, nearly costing her what mattered most: her sisters. There was also the fallout of my actions tonight with the other vampire generals. Silas, Henry, and the handful of other vampire elites may have agreed to the stand by me against my father, but we would need far more support to stop other vampires from seeking vengeance.
Liliane pressed her hand into mine once more before she returned to her partner.
“Okay, demons,” she called, looking far too pleased. “Let’s get this show on the road. I’m ready for a shower and a bed, but we still have my sister to deal with.”
I couldn’t suppress my smile at her pronouncement.
As the witches partnered up with the demons for the return journey, I finally turned to Jade. Her eyes were silvery with emotion, and she let out a sound that nearly knocked me off my feet.
When she ran into my arms, I easily caught her and pressed my face into her hair, sucking in lungfuls of her scent. “I’m sorry,” I gritted out, knowing it may be my last chance to say the words. “I’m so sorry for everything.”
She swallowed thickly, unable to meet my eyes. “Will you return to New Orleans, do you think? After you deal with the other vampires?”
“I doubt I will have the freedom to leave Slovenia for quite a while.”
At my roughened tone, her hands clenched into my shoulders tightly. “So that’s it then? This is goodbye?”
The sun rose fully above us, blinding me with its brilliance, and the talisman ring burned guiltily around my finger.
“I’ve been a coward—completely undeserving of your loyalty and trust and, least of all, your love,” I breathed, my voice catching painfully. “I’ll never forgive myself for hurting you, Jade, but I need to make things right. Starting with my people.”
She said nothing, her chin tucked into her chest as she shuddered.
Harrowing grief filled my chest until I thought I may die from it, but for her, I would endure it eternally, knowing that her happiness mattered above all else.
“It’s not forever,” I murmured, my voice tight with sorrow as I gently lowered her back to the snow. “But I can’t hide from who I am any longer. I am Alexei Vasyliev, Prince of the Vampires. I’m ready to face my fate.”
Her lips trembled as she lifted her soft, sparkling emerald eyes to mine, but there were only so many times a person’s heart could break before it shattered beyond recognition.
I dropped a swift kiss to her pillowy lips before I forced myself away. As I returned to the castle to meet my fate, leaving her with her people, I felt ready to face the consequences of my actions. For once, it was pride that centered me rather than regret.
* * *
The chaos awaiting me back at the castle propelled me through the dark alcoves of the throne room, where Julius and the rest of the vampire elites awaited my arrival.
