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It’s different from the sum of all the other kisses we’ve shared. More confident. Damian curls a hand around my neck and tilts my chin up, swallowing all my questions and grievances until the all-encompassing need to yell at him tapers down.

After a long, passionate kiss, he draws back and relaxes his grip on my waist with a nervous laugh. “Welcome to Faerie, Cecelia.”

“Cece, this is Damian, my— The Shadow King.”

A puddle of blood stains her dress, but my fearless little sister squints at my lover like he’s not at all intimidating. “I know. We’ve already met.”

My eyes bulge, and my gaze darts between them. “How?—”

“Do you love her? Truly?” she asks with a solemn edge to her voice.

“I’d burn the world down for her,” Damian responds with the same verve, raising goosebumps all over my body.

Air whistles out of Cece’s mouth, and she looks down at her hands for a moment. “I believe you.”

The scar in the middle of her palm shines under the Morheim moon, and I snatch her wrist to take a closer look. “What did that witch do to you?”

Cece breaks down in a quiet, regretful sob. “Esme said I had the genes to be like you, so she offered to do a little spell… She fed me her blood in my morning coffee, and I fed her mine. It made me feel stronger, somehow. She said that it would only strengthen my ties to Faerie. To you. She lied. I thought Fae couldn’t lie!”

I wrap her in my arms, and her head weighs heavily on my shoulder. “Don’t blame yourself, Cece. She wasn’t Fae, after all.”

Damian’s breath catches in his throat. “And how long did it go on?”

“Months, really.”

His lips press together. “You’re bonded with her now, but don’t worry. The next time we draw her out, she won’t share my magic anymore.” He squeezes my hand. “We’ll figure this out, I promise.”

Jo inches closer to us. “My king…” his voice waivers, and he averts his gaze. Considering his acrimonious relationship with One, the scene that played out on that altar must have shocked him quite a bit. He clears his throat. “Awaiting your orders, Your Highness.”

Damian’s gaze flicks over to his hunters. “I’ll be back in a moment, kitten. Let me just make sure we’re safe.” He walks away to take stock of the damage.

Lori runs over to me. “You really know how to make an entrance, Old World. Well done.” I move to squeeze her close, but she chokes on a pain-filled gurgle. “Careful.” The frantic edge of her voice reeks of suffering.

My eyes dart down to the half-healed bite mark. “We have to take care of that wound.”

“Baka flew to the infirmary to get supplies.” Her attention falls on Cece, her clear eyes wrinkling at the corners. “Hey, Lil’ Bit. Welcome to Faerie.”

“This is Lori. She’s my best friend.” I clasp both of their hands.

Cece opens her mouth in mock outrage and brings her free hand to her chest. “I’m not your best friend?”

We all laugh. The three of us are together and safe…just the thought warms my body from head to toe.

“I was terrified for you both, earlier. Let’s get you some water and a comfy seat before Baka works her magic on this venom,” I say.

Lori’s gaze falls to something behind me, and she hooks her arm around Cece’s.“By the spindle, she’s right. You’re almost as pale as me, Lil’ Bit. Let’s get something to eat while your sister teaches her royal boyfriend a lesson.” With a wink, Lori ushers Cece away.

Damian returns to my side. “A lesson, eh?”

I peel the mask from his face, and graze the faint scar splitting his right brow. “You look…”

He’s the same man I’ve come to know, and yet—not. An iridescent silver ring frames his golden irises, and I bite back a nervous giggle.

He looks absolutely bewitching, but I’m not going to let him get away with his stupid decision to send me away. “I can’t believe you agreed to marry that witch—even for a moment. And just so you know, if it weren’t for Cece, I’d already be dead.”

He shakes his head. “No. Morrigan promised not to touch one hair on your head.”

“But my father made no such promise,” I say with a hint of regret.