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He didn’t move, didn’t tell the others to go after Synick. He stayed focused on her.

Atlanta’s grip tightened around her throat, and she gasped. This couldn’t happen. She wouldn’t let him kill her in front of Thane and Valeen. It would haunt them forever.

With her hands burning, she reached back and shoved them into his eyes. He roared, slapping his hands over them. Then she was running. If she could make it into Thane’s arms, she’d be safe. He caught her around the waist and held her for only a moment then pushed her behind him. “The sword.”

Without hesitation, Valeen gave him a golden sword with a beautiful hilt and ancient script. Soulender.

Katana’s heart lurched into her throat. As much as she hated Atlanta, she wasn’t sure she could watch him die. Even if he would have killed her. “Wait,” she breathed.

“Kill him,” Hel said. “Kill him now while he’s blind.”

Screaming with rage, Atlanta started swinging his trident wildly.

Valeen grabbed Katana and turned her away. “This needs to happen.”

“We can just lock him out.” Her breaths came faster. “He has a territory. He’s the father to my children. What happens to them if he dies?”

“If we just locked him out then you would be a prisoner to the valley and if the wall ever falls, he will be back for you. This must end.”

Thane’s jaw muscles feathered, and he said, “Don’t hate me for what I’m about to do.”

Valeen kept hold of Katana’s head, covering her ears, not letting her turn. “Just keep looking at me.”

Metal clashed, grunts and shouts made the hairs on her arms rise. The fight didn’t last long. She slammed her eyes shut. The plop of something hitting the ground made her go very still. After a few breaths she pulled Valeen’s hands down from her ears and turned. Atlanta was dead. His head lay beside his body.

As horrified as she was, she was also relieved. She ran to Thane and buried her face in his chest. It was his warm arms around her that stopped her from trembling. She couldn’t be angry with him for what he’d done. He was her protector, as he’d promised. “Thank you for doing what I could not.”

“I’m so sorry. I’m sorry,” he muttered into her hair over and over. “I shouldn’t have left you.”

Her body shook with sobs. The rush of the fight slipped away, leaving her body weak, and her legs gave out. Thane caught her in his arms and held her to his chest. “Atlanta will never hurt you again.”

She sniffled and lifted her chin. “I thought I might die again, and you were the last person I thought of.” A tear fell from his brilliant green eyes. “I love you. You’re everything I ever wanted and needed. I’m so happy you’re mine.”

Tears freely flowing now, he took her face in his hands. “I love you too, Katana. And you could hear me because you are mysoulmate.” He pushed aside his hair and on the back of his neck was a sun tattoo matching hers. “You are forever with me.”

Her eyes widened at the sight of the mark, then she grinned and laughed. So, it was true after all. “My mate,” she whispered.

Chapter 55

VALEEN

In the privacy of her rooms, Hel pressed a crystal on a golden chain into her hand. Standing close enough she felt the warmth of him, his beautiful blue-green eyes flicked back and forth between hers. His energy was electric, it waved off of him making her body tingle.

This was a triumphant male who had lived up to his promise, who’d gone through more than any sane person would to make certain his love wouldn’t die yet again. “For you, love, as I promised. All you have to do is twist off the lid and you are a full goddess again.”

The crystal pulsed with a silver luminescence. “Thank you, Zaurahel. You’re an amazing person. Have I ever told you that?” she smiled, although this moment felt surreal. It had been so long since she died the first time, and all that happened in between.

He chuckled and rubbed his chin. “Am I?”

“No one would have gone through the lengths to make this happen but you. Not only this fight against the council but going through everything, dealing with me hating you and wanting you dead while I didn’t understand, watching and fighting throughwhile I was with… Thane. Helping me remember you,” she smiled, “making me fall in love with you again.”

“It’s partly madness,” he smiled and licked his lower lip, “but there was no other choice for me. You are everything. Without you my life isonlymadness.”

She smiled and kissed him softly. “I love your madness.” She clutched the immortality to her chest and just let the power pulsing inside fill her with gratitude for a moment. “Did you give Thane his?”

Hel tore his gaze away and he quietly walked to the window to peer out. “I couldn’t get his.”

Every muscle in her body froze and a cold chill ran through her. “But you have it?”