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The sorceress murmured to Mina, “You might be able to see through that sand, but I can’t. And this won’t work until I catch a glimpse of him, princess.”

“On it.” Mina misted to Adham. Because he was her mate, she should be able to extend her cocoon to him and turn him into air as well. As her powers wrapped around him, she imagined him as formless like her, glittering ether.

Fulfillment swept through her when he became mist—because he was her mate. There they stood, face-to-face, and it felt like an eon had passed. Or seconds. “Uh, hi!”

He was so shocked that his sand faltered, plunging to the ground. “Why are you here?” He gritted his teeth, sweat dotting his brow. “I have you now. You’ll tell me where your brother is,” he said with a barely perceptible wince. And all the while he’d been raising a dagger from his belt to place at her throat.

“No, Adham!”

Though she grabbed his arm to stop him, he struck, flipping the tip toward himself and stabbing his eye. He didn’t even register the pain, just stared at her with what she could see was utter hopelessness.

“That’s the last time, love.” She allowed her mist to fade, and they grew visible once more. “Now, Enti!”

“Fine,” the sorceress grumbled. “Take it, then.”

Sorcery arced across the room like a monochrome rainbow. Adham’s remaining eye glowed even brighter for a split second, and he jolted upright with a yell.

She didn’t dare breathe. Had her plan worked?

“Kosmina?” he murmured in confusion, sagging against her. “Mina . . .” His heaving exhalations seemed to carry away a lifetime of frustration and sorrow.

She wrapped her arms around her sorcerer. “I’ve got you, Adham. I’ve got you.” The sand that piled all around them now felt warm again.

Against her hair, he rasped, “You knew.” He drew back to face her. “Youknew. How did you figure it out?”

She cradled his face in her palms. “I believed in you.”

His brows drew together, and he kissed her.

“Enough already!” Enti cried from behind them. “Too syrupy.”

They broke their kiss. Then Adham turned to Enti. The weariness in his frame disappeared as his resentment welled. “You did this to me—tous. You knew I had vowed to kill her brother. I should annihilate you for stealing my sorcery from me.”

“Like you didn’t think about robbing mine!”

Sand rose ominously. “Thinking about itright now.” The sorcerer who’d revered vengeance had just cause for it.

“Adham, wait,” Mina said, only wanting to leave this place. The background cacophony of music and raucous laughter must be needling him. She didn’t believe Adham would imbibe again, but breathing the smoke had to be uncomfortable. “Let’s just go.”

His menacing gaze remained locked on Enti. “You tried to make me a siren’s mindless puppet to trap me in a dying world and keep me from my mate forever. When that didn’t work, you gave me a sword as a parting gift, so that I could fight the hive for you and your friends. My power cleared the way for your escape, but that wasn’t enough for you. You turned back and stole my oath-breaking ability. Why would you go for that one?”

Uh-oh.

But Enti didn’t take the bait, changing the subject instead. “If not for my resources at Castle Vitis, you and the vampire would’ve perished in Nightside. So what will it be now? Yourmate has promised me ownership of this place. All you have to do is walk away and you’ll have almost everything you’ve ever wanted. Butcanyou? Or is Revenge still your mistress?”

Mirceo and Caspion traced inside the room at that moment, both looking incensed as they climbed over sand.

“You tossed a fuckingsandstormat my sister?” Mirceo swung a fist before Caspion could restrain him, pummeling Adham’s face.

Fifty-Six

Adham simply took the blow. Though Mirceo’s fist had felt like a cannon shot, he deserved that hit and more.

Then he realized what could have happened to Kosmina. “I could’ve killed her! You two were here the whole time and you let her confront me by herself? Why weren’t you with her?”

Mirceo shook out his hand, seeming surprised that Adham still stood after that powerhouse punch. “Fuck if I know how she convinced us not to be.”

“Hey, hey, everyone,” Kosmina said. “We won the day. No one got hurt. . . .” She trailed off with a frown at Enti. “Wait a second. You could have forbidden violence in your lair.”