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When she pulled away, she had a small smile on her face.

“What?” I asked. What could she possibly be smiling about? Did she understand that I had just killed someone?

“You really are magic. I’ve heard the rumors, but I didn’t believe them. I mean, our whole lives, and we didn’t know!”

“I know,” I responded, suddenly feeling a wave of guilt.

What I would give to go back to that naive version of us.

That version of us that only had to worry about finding food and staying away from our drunk father.

Now? The list of things to worry about never ended.

“Jade, wait up!” Adonis yelled as he caught up to us.

Tessa immediately stiffened again, taking a slight step to stand behind me.

“What do you want?” I asked.

“He’s alive,” Adonis said. “Barely.”

I exhaled a deep breath, and my shoulders finally dropped from their tight position.

“Saints,” I mumbled. “Are they pissed?”

“Don’t worry about them. I let them know that was a merciful punishment for antagonizing their queen and her sister.”

Okay. We were going to be okay.

“Thank you, Adonis. If you hadn’t showed up…”

“You would have kicked all of their asses, I’m sure of it.” I hadn’t really noticed the bright green specks in Adonis’s eyes before. He was nothing like Malachi, but in his own ways, he wasn’t hideous. I supposed I had never really looked at him before. But now, standing before me after practically saving my life, I saw him.

“Tessa and I appreciate it,” I added.

Tessa finally stepped out from behind me and looked at Adonis herself.

Adonis looked at her, too.

“Hello,” he said, extending his hand. “It’s nice to officially meet you, little Farrow.”

Tessa took another step forward, and I watched the way her eyes flickered to his silver wings. “Hello,” she said back to him, placing her tiny hand in his.

He shook it respectfully.

Saints, I must have been dreaming. Because I never would have imagined this type of interaction between either of them.

“Let’s get you two back to the castle,” Adonis said after dropping Tessa’s hand. “I would suggest that we don’t tell your husband about this, but…”

“He’ll find out anyway,” I finished for him. “I’ll tell him. He’ll take it better coming from me.”

Adonis nodded in agreement, and we made our way back to the castle.

To find Malachi.

CHAPTER20

Malachi