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“What are we doing here?” Cyrus asked in a hissed whisper.

He didn’t know whether to be pissed, hurt, or relieved that Cassius had Traveled them in the middle of such an important conversation.

“We need to settle something,” Cassius said.

“At this exact moment?”

“Yes,” he answered. He rapped twice on the double doors of Tybalt’s study, pushing them open as soon as they heard Tybalt’s greeting.

The Commander got to his feet when he saw them, surprise and worry crossing his features. “Cassius?”

“What do you know of twin flames?” Cassius asked, finally releasing Cyrus’s hand.

“What?” Cyrus hissed, rounding on him.

Tybalt blinked in clear surprise at the topic, but said, “A fair amount, I suppose.”

“Razik said a twin flame bond occurs between a Legacy and a Fae,” Cassius said.

“Yes. That is true,” Tybalt agreed, eyes moving from Cassius to Cyrus and back again.

Cyrus shoved his hands into his pockets. He didn’t want to hear this. Didn’t need to hear the truth of the matter again. That he and Thia had not been twin flames.

“But one does not need to be a full-blooded Legacy to have a twin flame, correct?” Cassius asked.

“Yes, that is correct. The bond is not usually felt as strongly and can be harder to recognize,” Tybalt said.

“And if two people take the Marks, but they are not twin flames, what would happen?” Cassius pressed.

“The Trials would not be completed, and the bond could not be Anointed,” Tybalt answered. “Eventually the Mark would fade, and the piece of the soul that was offered is lost in the voids between the stars.”

“To be clear, a bond cannot be Anointed if the two are not twin flames, yes?”

“Yes. What is this about, Cassius?” Tybalt asked, coming around his desk and leaning against it. “Do you believe the two of you are—”

“No,” Cassius interrupted. “I love him, yes, but Cyrus had a twin flame. They recognized the bond the moment they saw each other. She was killed.”

Kind eyes slid to Cyrus. “I am sorry to hear that, Cyrus.”

“She wasn’t—” Cyrus started.

“Did the two of you complete the Trials?” Cassius snarled, rounding on him.

“Yes, but—”

“And was your bond Anointed?” Cass demanded.

“By Beatrix, but—”

“But nothing,” Cass interrupted again. “How much more proof do you need, Cyrus?”

“Thia was Fae!” Cyrus snapped. “I am Fae. It could not have been a real bond. The Sorceress said—”

“That godsdamn Sorceress,” Cassius growled, his eyes shifting. Smoke furled when he exhaled, his hands fisting at his sides. His features darkened, violence simmering in his glowing eyes, and Cyrus almost took a step back. “If I accomplish only one thing before I cross the Veil, it will be to witness her death. I will consider myself blessed by the gods if I am the one to bestow it.”

“If I may,” Tybalt interrupted, hands still braced on the desk behind him. Cyrus glanced at him, and he could tell the Avonleyan now understood what was happening here. “Cassius is correct. The bond would not have been completed and Anointed if it were not a true twin flame bond. The Marks would have rejected the Anointing. Even completing the Trials would have been near impossible if it were not a true bond. One of you had Avonleyan lineage. Even a trace of it would have been enough. But if you both recognized the bond immediately while both of you believing yourselves fully Fae…” His lips tipped up in a small smile. “I would consider you profoundly blessed, Cyrus. Fate clearly wanted you together, even if just for a time.”

“You were deserving of a twin flame, Cyrus,” Cassius said, his tone having softened. Cyrus lifted his gaze to his, only then realizing a tear had slipped free. Cass’s eyes were still shifted and glowing, but gods. It was love that stared back at him. Raw and unbridled and pure. “Not only were you deserving of a twin flame, but you have found real, true love two other times. You have found a family. The Sorceress stole from you. She stole your memories and made you question that love. That’s not your fault, but do not give her this too, Cyrus. Choose to believe those who love you over her. Choose us, Cyrus.”