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“Lead the way.” She nods toward the outer wall, and I know I need to move, but I remain stuck in place as my eyes drink her in.

“Are you sure you're not hurt?” she asks, her brow scrunching in concern as her eyes narrow, looking me over again.

I physically shake myself, meeting her gaze before I nod. “Yeah, just tired. Let’s get them out of here.” She nods, moving toward the wall, and while the chimeras aren’t trying to hurt her, they still want her, which she uses to her advantage.

My heart stalls in my chest as she flies around them, leading them toward the tunnel. Thankfully, she’s fast, but it’s hard to watch all the same.

The gods take pity on me, and she somehow only ends up with five after her as we heard the rest of them toward the tunnel, using her mates that are on the ground as bait.

It works better than I thought it would, and I can’t help but feel guilty that we didn’t try this sooner. So many homes have been destroyed.

“Where to?” Serena calls from below me, and I can’t stop the smile that pulls at my lips as I look down and find her on the back of the lion, Sol. They look ridiculous, but I’m sure he’s more than happy, I would be.

“The cabin.” I point in the general direction before I remember she doesn’t need directions. She’s been there more than enough times, not to mention she’s been to the clearing more times than I can count, and that’s a short walk from it.

Please let this work.

We make great time back to the cabin. The chimeras are thankfully slower than us, though I can still hear them moving through the woods. The command my father gave them will ensure they are drawn to us.

We need to move quickly.

Please let this work.

The second we reach the cabin, I’m moving. I can’t give myself time to overthink this, and more importantly, I can’t give Serena time to catch on.

Pushing open the door, it crashes against the wall, and I hear the wood splinter. I hadn’t meant to push that hard, but I’m not concerned with the door. I’m not concerned with the cabin as a whole, just one thing.

It sits on the table exactly where I left it, and I can’t help but sigh in relief. Not that I think anyone would have taken it. Nobody comes here, and even if they did, the only two people who have ever shown an interest in it were warned about what it does.

“Ryker?” Serena calls from behind me, and I stop in my tracks.

It’s right there.

Turning, I watch her as she walks into the cabin behind me. Her eyes take in the space, and despite her almost demonic appearance, I see her soften, an almost fond smile on her lips as she makes her way toward me. I should step away and keep her at arm’s length; it will be easier, but I can’t.

Looking at her now, I see the stress this day has put on her; the toll using this much of her magic is taking.

Serena isn’t used to this strain, and if she continues to push herself like this, she might just push herself too far.

I can’t let that happen, which is why I’m ready to do whatever it takes to save her. Even if it’s from herself.

It’s also why I don’t move away.

This might be the last time I ever see her beautiful face again, and if that’s the case, I want to enjoy it.

What can I say? I’m a selfish bastard.

“I don’t like the way you're looking at me,” she says, scrunching her brow as she steps into my space, her head tilted up to hold my gaze.

I’m not sure what she sees or when I became such an open book, but her eyes move from me to the table and back again.

“What are you doing?”

“My whole life I’ve been nothing but a disappointment to him, a tool to help him kill and destroy. He didn’t care about me past how he could use me, and for a long time, I was fine with that. I thought if I could be useful, he would want me, but I was never enough, and my days began to blur, until I found the most stubborn, naïve, and beautiful girl I’d ever met.”

“I didn't question a single thing before you, Serena, but you made me want to do better, tobebetter. I’ve done so much I’m not proud of, hurt so many people who didn’t deserve it. I don’t deserve you…” I tuck a stray piece of hair behind her ear, as Iattempt to memorize her face. I’m not sure if there is an afterlife, but if there is, I need to be able to remember her, even if that means remembering her angry scowl that's on her face right now.

“I don’t care!” she hisses, smacking my hand away as she glares at me, and I’m not sure how, but I know she’s telling the truth.