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“You’re wrong, Tarix.”The queen’s smile is grim.“Losing his mate would’ve destroyed us.”

“That’s not true.”Tarix glances between the queen and the king.“You’re believers.You know what the prophecy says.”

“Look around you, Tarix,” the queen says.“Youalmost destroyed Zerra by taking Elsie.If Aruan hadn’t found her in time, that’s what would’ve happened.”

Tarix glances out the window and blanches.“But the prophecy?—”

The king lunges forward to grip Tarix’s nape.“The prophecy be cursed.I’ll hear no more about it.”

Tarix bares his teeth.“You’re weak, all of you.”

The king’s smile is cold.“We wiped out your slave trade operation and put an end to your pitiful rebellion.Tomorrow, at first light, you’ll be on trial for the crimes you’ve committed against the royal family and citizens of Zerra, whom you were supposed to serve.”

Tarix breaks free.“I won’t be judged for doing what’s right.”

The king’s smile stretches into a dark grin.“We’ll see about that.”He turns to Kian.“Take him to the cells.”

“We need to block the cell so he doesn’t try to escape with a portal to Earth,” Aruan says.“He can also change shape.He impersonated you, Mother.Don’t let anyone near him lest he tries to trick them.”

The queen reels at that.

“Now if you don’t mind,” Aruan continues.“I’d like to take care of Elsie.”

He puts his arm around my waist, leading me to the archway, which I dissolve.

“You should save your strength until Vitai has healed you,” he chastises as we enter the hallway.

“I need more practice.I want to open my own portals.”

So I’ll never be anyone’s prisoner again.

Aruan’s voice holds grim understanding.“I’ll teach you to do it—or better yet, Gaia will.Anything you want to know, you will learn.Anything within my power is yours.”

I swallow hard, thinking about what almost happened.“Thank you for finding me.”

“Always.”His tone softens.“You made it easy for me.”

“With our bond.”Stopping, I face him.“What do you think happened?How did it become complete?”

Aruan’s gaze burns into me.“My mother said the bond couldn’t be complete unless you loved me.”

My heart lurches, then settles into a rhythm that mirrors his.“I’m… not going to say that’s not true.”

His heartbeat accelerates, even as his eyes drill steadily into mine.“Do you love me, Elsie from Cleveland?”

“You know I do.”

“Say it,” he demands.“Tell me to my face.”

Threading my fingers through his hair, I press our bodies together.“I love you, mate.”

Fierce joy and primal possessiveness glow in his silver eyes.“I love you too, Elsie.Always have.Always will.”

His lips are on mine before I can ask him to repeat those precious words.But it doesn’t matter.Because all the answers I can ever want are an eternal part of me now, locked deep inside, and no one can ever take that away.

I break the kiss not only because I need air but also because we’re in the hallway.“Take me to our room.”

He growls under his breath.“With pleasure.”