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Instead of tackling Cyrus, she was launching herself at Razik, who let out a grunt as he caught her.

“I know you missed me,mai dragocen, but—”

“Is Cethin ready?” she asked, speaking over him.

His lips twitched. “Yes.”

“Then let’s get on with this.”

“At the top of the hour,” Razik answered, his thumb beginning to drag back and forth along her hip where his arm was still looped around her waist. “We have a few minutes.”

She twisted out of his hold, ignoring the flash of heat at feeling his touch after two incredibly long days. Turning to Sorin, she said, “Perfect. Just enough time for you to take back the royal seat.”

“Eliza, it can wait—” Sorin started.

“I do not want it, Sorin,” she interrupted. “The only reason I challenged Bastien was to take the Court back until you could get here. I have only kept it this long because I knew you needed to focus on other tasks, but those are done now. The Fire Prince needs to be at those coronations. He is the one that will be working with the other leaders of the realm. I do not wish to be something Varlis wanted for me, even if it is fire instead of earth. I do not want it for one second longer.”

Sorin’s features had softened, and Scarlett had stepped away from him so he could move closer to her.

“I am sorry, Eliza,” he said. “I did not realize—”

She held up a hand to stop him. “I do not regret it. If it was the only way, I would gladly keep the title and throne. But it is not the only way. It is yours by birthright and by power. You are the most powerful Fire Fae. A sword belongs in my hand more than a crown belongs on my head.”

“That it does, General,” Sorin answered with a small smile.

“I abdicate the royal seat of the Fire Court to you, Sorin Aditya. Do you accept?”

Cyrus and Rayner were already on their feet, having moved to her side so they stood before him.

“I do,” Sorin answered, his smile widening.

The three of them bowed in unison, palms over the Marks on their chests that signified the loyalty to their Court and to Sorin. The Fire Prince and his Inner Court. The way it was almost meant to be.

Sorin reached out, pulling her into an embrace. “Thank you for stepping up when needed, Eliza. Your loyalty to this Court knows no bounds,” he murmured into her ear.

“Thank you for saving me all those years ago and for giving me a chance.”

He gave her an extra squeeze before releasing her.

“If you are all ready, we can go to the island,” Razik said, eyes watching her intensely, despite speaking to everyone else in the room.

There were murmurs of agreement, and moments later, they were standing on an island just outside the Avonleyan Wards. It was the calmest the island had ever been. The winds and waves were always unbearable every time she’d been here. Now there was a light breeze, waves gently lapping at the shore.

“You are sure this is going to work?” Scarlett asked, beginning to push back her sleeves. “Cethin will survive?”

“Yes,” Razik answered, sounding bored, but Eliza could feel his trepidation down their bond. He wasn’t as confident in this as he was portraying.

She reached over and ran her fingers along his arm, and he instantly snagged her wrist, pulling her into his side.

Raz?

This will be fine.

But he was rigid beside her, and there was nothing she could really do about it.

Scarlett was drawing Marks in the sand, and each one had Razik’s arm tensing more and more around her.

So this cave…