by Rachel Jonas
As tears fell, my mind went back to all the times he’d shown me what kindness was, how he’d accepted me into his circle, his life, when he could have easily shut me out. He’d opened himself to me without hesitation because he was good, right down to the core.
More wetness touched my cheeks and I knew I’d never forget the feel of his hand going limp in mine, the flames finally consuming him. I didn’t let go. Couldn’t even when it became clear it was over.
Just like that, eighteen years of life came to an end.
I released his hand, letting him rest in peace, vowing to never ever forget him, his sacrifice. Even with his last breath, he’d been selfless.
There were footsteps, and then …
“Evangeline?”
In the midst of despair and brokenness, that voice caused both, my head and my heart, to lift. I’d been so close to giving up, but …
“Liam!”
Seeing his face—even covered in blood and filth—was the most refreshing sight I’d ever laid eyes on. I rushed him, headed straight for his arms.
My entire body trembled as I was brought into the tightest most sincere embrace and I clung to him, letting him shoulder all I’d carried on my own while we were apart. Another flood of sadness overtook me and I couldn’t let go. Until this very second, I didn’t think I’d ever see him again.
“Tell me you’re okay,” he breathed, speaking the words between frantic kisses to my mouth and face.
I nodded as I kissed him back, tasting the salt of my own tears. “I am, but … Beth. She was trying to defend me and things just—”
Liam quieted me. “She’s fine,” he assured me. “We passed Errol on our way here, made sure they both had seals, and redirected him to the safe zone. Beth was coming to in his arms, healing from a nasty wound from what I could see.”
I breathed another deep sigh of relief but had questions. “Seals? What safe zone?”
He ignored the inquiry but removed one of two strange necklaces from around his neck to place it around mine. Next, he took my shoulders, putting distance between us before looking me over. I guessed he just needed to see for himself that I really was okay. And when he did, I was keenly aware of the moment he took notice of how my body had changed.
A large hand splayed across my stomach and there was no mistaking the look behind his eyes. No, this was not the time for emotional reunions, but relief swelled within him at the realization that we were both okay. Our safety, our survival, meant everything to him.
His gaze moved past me, over my shoulder to the remains still smoldering on the floor. I didn’t have the heart to explain or even identify whose body lie there, but … he seemed to know. I guessed as much when he didn’t ask questions.
There were more footsteps and then silence. My heart sank even before I had the courage to glance up, seeing the color drain from Roz’s face as she stood frozen.
“Is that …” she mumbled, unable to finish her question, maybe for fear of what my answer might be.
I didn’t have the heart to confirm, didn’t have the heart to tell her the boy she loved had sacrificed himself.
She slumped against the wall and sank to the floor, staring as water filled her eyes … as her heart broke.
I would have taken it all back if I could have.
Richie staggered in next, both his brothers right behind him. Finally, Chris and Lucas followed. The moment they laid eyes on Nick their gazes shifted to me. There was no blame or accusation, just confusion and … overwhelming sadness.
I was certain they could tell by the blood streaked down my chest, stomach, and arms that this struggle hadn’t been one-sided. Still, I had to say something.
“He … saved me,” I choked out, wanting them all to know that, despite what Nick had become, despite the hell we’d been through trying to find a way around the curse for all parties involved, his heart was still good. Pure right to the very end.
“He could have killed me after Beth escaped, but somehow, he fought it and … he did what he could to save me.” I barely got through the sentence. Their sense of loss was so powerful in the room.
A gentle kiss went to the top of my hair and my eyes closed at the feel of it. Liam, although relieved by having found me alive, seemed to be feeling something else. I couldn’t quite place what it was at first, but when he addressed Richie, I identified it.
Sympathy.
For Nick, his brothers.
“I’m sorry,” he shared. “It should have never come to this.”
He was completely right. There should have been no need for the curse centuries ago. A curse that resulted in a loss I, nor the others, would ever get over.
“He deserves better than to be left here like this,” Liam said before making an offer. “I’ll help with his body.”
He took a step away from me to give the others a hand.
I removed the torn cloak and laid it over Nick first. No one said a word as they came closer and lifted him from the ground, the six acting as pallbearers to a fallen soldier.
As heavy as my heart was, I knew Roz’s was a million times heavier. She cared for Nick deeply. Despite his flaws, despite the changes he’d undergone recently. I believe he knew her true feelings and they were mutual.
She and I had never been close, but the experience of being a girl with a broken heart was universal. There wasn’t a woman alive who hadn’t felt it to some degree. I’d been there myself, when I thought I’d lost Liam. I wanted to comfort her, wanted her to know she wasn’t alone, despite what she must have felt on the inside.
I extended my hand and, eventually, she took it, letting me help her from the ground where she rested.
“Let’s get out of here,” I said quietly as we exited together, following behind the others.
My brothers had been waiting there. I imagined they must have overheard and thought it best not to interrupt. However, when the brood laid eyes on me, they swooped in like a swarm. Their hugs, their love, was overwhelming in the best way.
I was reminded of the vision I had of them. It was the first inkling I had of our closeness from before and it left a lasting impression on me. I felt a connection to them from the first day they returned, but now it had deepened to the point of surpassing all understanding.
Each locked me in a tight embrace before the next pulled on me for their turn. But as soon as I was released, I went back to Roz. Making sure she wasn’t alone after suffering such a great loss was my main priority.
“Dallas, is everyone all clear?”
I turned to Liam when he spoke through the walkie talkie.
“Affirmative. Beth and Errol just made it, and Hilda & Company took care of all the witchy business,” Dallas replied.
“And the spell’s holding? None of the soldiers or dragons without the seal were able to escape the area?”
“Affirmative,” Dallas repeated. “The only shifters who made it out were our own.”
Listening to their conversation, I realized how organized this rescue mission had been. They’d thought beyond retrieving Beth and me, but took measures to ensure that when this ended, it was really over.
For good.
“All right,” Liam went on. “Sebastian and Blaise were taken care of and we’re on our way out. When I give you the signal, tell Hilda and Elise to nuke this place.”
When he was done speaking, he turned to make sure we were still all together. Meanwhile, my mind was stuck on one bit of information he’d conveyed to Dallas during that conversation.
Sebastian and Blaise were dead.
With that news, it felt like I could breathe for the first time since finding out the Sovereign even existed. His reign had been one of death and tyranny. He’d been the long arm of the law his people were unjustly forced to submit to, and now … he was gone.
I’d never been happier leaving anyplace behind in my entire life. It was a day of victories and tragic loss. At the thought, I glanced toward Nick, his body covered as his brothers and frien
ds carried him with us. This walk was a solemn one as each of us reflected on our journeys—both as individuals and together.
An unlikely alliance had been forged between us. A bond that had been tested repeatedly. And in the end, we stood as one solid unit that had proven we could stand against anything.
We reached the top of a hill and stepped over a thick ring of what looked like salt. I, for one, felt lighter immediately, like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders.
Liam’s arm went around me, and the woods were eerily silent as he brought the walkie talkie to his mouth again. But this time, he only said one word.
“Now.”
A strong wind rushed past us and I shivered, watching as its force caused the grass to bow beneath it, caused thick tree branches to shutter. It moved like a constant, invisible wave all the way to the center of town, and then, just as quickly as the atmosphere went still … a brilliant turquoise flash lit up the night sky, expanding to cover all of Ridge Borough.
I leaned into Liam’s side as agonizing screams rose into the air, the howls of Sebastian’s lycans and dragons being consumed by the blue flame of an original—our clan’s failsafe to ensure that we would never have to live through another era of hell.
I turned away from the blaze, glancing up at Liam. The sweetest part of all was that finally, for the first time in our lives, there was no threat of anything tearing us apart. He was mine and I was his.
Forever.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Two Weeks Later …
Evie
This garden was now so familiar. I’d seen it from the terrace in my dreams countless times, but this was the first time I walked through it.
My eyes stayed trained on my feet, staring as a long, blue dress trailed through the grass. At either side, stones outlined the path. It only took a moment to realize I wasn’t alone, a moment to understand the sense of being surrounded by love to overwhelm me.
I glanced right and my gaze landed on a face that shouldn’t have been familiar to me, but it was. At the sight of his dark skin creasing with a broad smile—the kind that made his eyes crinkle at the corners—my heart filled with emotion. To the point that I believed it might actually burst. I knew him, knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that he was Noah.
My father.
“I thought I’d join you,” he said, the smoothness of his deep, soothing voice ringing familiar to my senses. “I hope you don’t mind the company.”
I took his hand and felt so safe, so loved. “I’m glad to have you,” I replied, resting my head on his shoulder as our pace slowed.
The breeze kissed my face just like the heat of the sun high above. I recalled Liam saying once that the garden was one of my favorite places. Being here now, even in a dream, I understood why. There was so much peace. It inspired me to reflect and seek clarity.
“Your mother is concerned,” he said, breaking the silence.
My smile dimmed a bit before replying. “Why would she be concerned?”
A flock flew overhead, and while I had zero knowledge of birds present day, I couldn’t say the same for the old me. I was able to identify them without a second thought—white-tailed swallows.
I lowered my gaze, keeping my eyes trained on the path ahead, and listened when my father replied.
“She fears you were overwhelmed by your new charge.”
My stomach sank hearing him acknowledge it, and I didn’t respond.
We walked in silence for a moment before he spoke again.
“Do you know why I chose you?”
I breathed deep.
“I was a bit confused,” I admitted. “I’m unsure why you’d overlook my brothers, your own sons.”
A deep sigh left my mouth. Just acknowledging the task he’d given me—one day inheriting the kingdom—made me feel incredibly overwhelmed.
His eyes were so gentle when he stopped walking and turned to face me. “I can see why this would be difficult to understand.”
“Most fathers cannot wait to see their eldest son follow in his footsteps. Declan is strong, noble, certainly fit to be king,” I argued.
My father nodded. “I agree with everything you’ve said.”
“Then why would you put this responsibility on me?” I snapped, immediately regretting the tone I’d taken with him. “I’m … I apologize,” I said, humbling myself.
He hadn’t let the harshly spoken words rattle him. Instead, he seemed to sympathize as my hands were taken into his. The same peace that rested on him throughout our conversation took a hold of me, too, as my eyes roamed his features. He was regal, handsome.
“Evangeline, the crown will one day be yours because … this is your calling. Appointing you was not a choice … it was my responsibility,” he declared.
I didn’t understand what he could have meant by this, so I said nothing.
His hand was warm when he settled it against my cheek, smiling as he held my gaze. “One day you will understand. It may be when you’re seated on the throne, overlooking your people, but … you’ll understand,” he promised.
For now, I’d just have to trust his word.
I was brought into a hug and more words were whispered into my ear. “No matter what, I’ll always watch over you.”
*
My father’s promise lingered in my thoughts as the dream faded and daylight seeped through the blinds in Liam’s bedroom. Seemed like all I’d done the past couple weeks was sleep, but according to Elise, that was to be expected as I neared the end, as the baby grew at an even more rapid rate than before.
At the thought, my eyes drifted down to where the white sheet covered the bulge beneath it, now three times the size it was when I escaped. Inside, my son or daughter wielded a powerful kick that made me smile when I placed my hand there.
Peace … we finally had peace.
Thankfully, Beth healed from the wounds that would have been fatal had they been sustained by a human. After a bit of medical attention from a nurse within the clan, a few days in bed was all she needed to be back on her feet. She’d been over to visit so often I worried she might slow the healing, but she wouldn’t hear of it. I shouldn’t have been surprised, though. She’d more than proven that the bounds of our friendship were limitless, and I would never take her loyalty for granted.
If there was one thing I took away from all this, it’s that, at the end of the day, friends and family were what made the world go round. One didn’t need celebrity status or millions in the bank. All I needed were a few good-hearted people who reciprocate the love you give.
That’s it.
Also adding to the extreme calm I felt since making it home was that Ivan was on the mend, too. When all the witches were rounded up and seized in Ridge Borough, they managed to single out the one responsible for the spell placed on the arrow that nearly killed him. She undid her magic and was then sentenced to death, while a few of her constituents received a lesser sentence.
Upon being interrogated by Hilda and a large, neighboring coven, it was decided that not all joined Sebastian’s ranks at freewill. Apparently, he’d forcefully seized a handful of young witches to do his dirty work, so instead of death, they were exiled to the Isle of Rayma. From my understanding, that was often considered a fate worse than death. The entire island was hidden from the outside world by magic. It was also lawless and crawling with rogue criminals of the supernatural variety. In short, all our Sebastian-related problems had been eradicated and we were all better off that way.
With both Ivan and Beth back on their feet, our clan was almost complete.
Almost.
I still felt the loss of Nick as heavily as if it had just taken place. Losing him stung in ways I couldn’t even put to words. And it wasn’t lost on me that he played a huge part in me being here. Had it not been for that single selfless act, my family would have laid me to rest and I would have missed out on this beautiful life I’d been given.
Not an hour passed that I didn’t think of hi
m, how he sacrificed himself so I could live, so my child could live. He’d taught me so much—about friendship, about loyalty. I’d never forget him for what he’d given me.
A chance to finally have the life I’d lost.
I glanced over at the rising sun outside my window and smiled at the beautiful gift of living to see another day.
“Thank you, Nick,” I whispered, knowing I’d never take waking up in the morning for granted ever again.
A soft knock at the door stole my attention, and then the knob turned. Liam stuck his head inside to see if I was up and I smiled.
“Thought you’d still be asleep,” he said, stepping in with one hand behind his back.
I tried to peek, but he hid whatever he carried well. He’d been keeping something from me. I could tell. There were whispered conversations between he and Elise, my brothers, Hilda. Several nights in a row, I’d awakened to find he’d gone missing. And now this morning, he’d been out and about already.
“Please tell me there’s a bagel, donut, or something edible behind your back.”
That beautiful smile of his flashed and he came closer, revealing a long-stemmed rose instead of food. Just as good …
“I have a request,” he said quietly, easing onto the bed to place a kiss just beneath my ear. Right after, the sheet that covered my stomach was eased down and my shirt lifted. A second kiss was placed there as he pressed a hand to my side. He couldn’t get enough of feeling his son or daughter rolling around in there. Neither could I.
“What sort of request?” I finally replied.
“The kind that requires you to get dressed and join me downstairs.”
I groaned in response, sinking beneath the blanket again. “But I’m sooooo comfortable,” I whined with a laugh.
My hip was braced in his massive hand and I let him pull me closer. Being near him left me with the same feeling of love and protection from him that I experienced during the memory of my father in the dream. I’d had one nearly every night now and I was almost certain I had the pregnancy to thank for that.
“Don’t make me beg you,” Liam crooned, causing me to get swept away in his hazel stare.