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He kissed her then. Soft and tender and full of the sorrow that was consuming them both.

She’d slept, a sense of safety she hadn’t felt since the last time she’d shared a bed with Azrael falling over her despite what she would face mere hours later.

He’d helped her dress when the messenger had come to his door to tell them their party would be leaving in thirty minutes’ time. A courtesy of the others to not come themselves, but to give them these private moments together. She didn’t know if they’d figured it out or not, but she appreciated it nonetheless. He’d watched while she’d braided her hair back, no longer able to simply summon her leathers and weapons and be ready to face whatever came for her. That would take some getting used to. He’d passed her a leather band to tie off her hair, and then they’d walked side-by-side to the entrance hall. Azrael hadn’t acknowledged anyone else, and when it had been time for her to go, he’d taken her face between his hands and looked into her eyes.

“You can do this, Talwyn. Magic was not all that made you powerful. You are not weak. Do you understand?”

She’d reached up and gently pulled his hands from her face. “Meet me on the battlefield, Prince.”

He’d held her gaze as the nightstone was put back onto her wrists. His eyes were still fixed on hers when she’d been pulled through the air to a humid beach on the Southern Islands. Cassius had escorted her until they were outside the cliffs and the archway was appearing after Rayner had summoned it with the brand beneath his skin. As she was handed off to Rayner, Scarlett had cleared her throat.

“I don’t know that I can ever like you, Talwyn Semiria, but thank you. For what you did for Sorin,” she’d said curtly, tugging down the sleeve of her witchsuit to her wrist. Her twin flame Mark was covered with gloves due to the room they would be in not allowing for glamours. She’d lifted her eyes to Talwyn. “For what you have sacrificed and what you are doing now, thank you.”

Talwyn hadn’t said anything. There wasn’t anything to say anymore. She’d been entirely focused on her task, and now here she sat, waiting to see what would happen next. When would Alaric realize Scarlett had once again tricked him? When he did, Talwyn knew the odds of her surviving his wrath were slim. Knew the probability of seeing Azrael or Ashtine again on this side of the Veil was unlikely, and she’d made peace with that. She hoped she’d done enough. She hoped she’d made enough of a difference to matter.

It had been nearly three days since the exchange. Something would happen soon. She could feel it in her gut, so she wasn’t surprised when two seraphs appeared outside her cell a few hours later and escorted her to Alaric. She sat at a table, the Maraan Prince not sparing her a glance as he pored over a map spread out before him.

“Fae Queen,” Nuri greeted with a mocking bow when she appeared in the doorway taking a bite from an apple.

“Do you even need food?” Talwyn asked sharply.

Nuri paused, the apple halfway from her mouth in her gloved hand. “Do you need those shackles?” When Talwyn narrowed her eyes, Death’s Shadow only laughed, tossing the apple to her. “If you wanted a bite, all you needed to do was ask.”

Talwyn caught the apple, the chains on her wrists rattling, and she remembered to let out a hiss to feign discomfort. Alaric flicked his eyes up when Mordecai came into the room.

“Is everything ready?” Alaric asked.

The seraph only nodded in confirmation, moving to his side to study the map. Nuri flopped into a chair opposite him. “The Water Prince isn’t here?”

“He’s in his cell until needed,” Mordecai answered.

She sighed in disappointment. “I enjoy looking at him.”

“Why are you here, Nuri?” Alaric asked in annoyance. “Do you not have somewhere else to be?”

She smiled at him. A smile that even Talwyn knew was far too sweet and devious. “Not yet. I thought I would accompany you. Just in case Scarlett is waiting for you.”

Alaric’s features tightened. “Do you know of her plans, Nuri?”

The Contessa scoffed. “How would I possibly know of her plans? I only mean that she seems to be a few steps ahead of you these days. Maybe an extra set of fangs is warranted.”

“The vampyre has a point,” Mordecai said, turning the map to see it better.

“She is not a few steps ahead of me,” Alaric snarled.

“Everything is going to plan then?” Nuri asked, elbows on the table and chin propped between her hands.

“Mikale has things under control in Windonelle, and the mortal and Fae lands are now all under my rule. Balam is pacified with those mortal offspring returned, and he is back on task. Tarek controls the Earth Court and has all the Fae forces ready and waiting. I have the Fae Queen back and a Water Prince to get me into the prison. Today we free the Sorceress. In a few days’ time, this will be over. But if you insist on joining us, Nuri, then by all means,” Alaric replied tightly.

“No need to rant,” Nuri replied with a dismissive wave. The same casual arrogance and impassiveness that Scarlett had displayed when speaking with her former master.

“I swear to Achaz, Nuri,” he muttered under his breath. “Go get the Water Prince and be useful.”

“Of course, Master,” she replied, that same faux sweetness in her tone as she pushed to her feet and sauntered out of the room, tossing a wink to Talwyn as she went.

“She is insubordinate,” Mordecai said, drawing Talwyn’s attention back to the males.

“She strains against the leash, but she is under control,” Alaric replied dismissively. “She has no choice but to be.”