Page 78 of A Court of Wings and Shadows

And gods help me, part of me still wanted to believe him.

I stepped back from Remy, the cold air off the sea sharp against my skin, but not as sharp as the words I needed to say.

“I’m not doing this with you,” I said, voice low and even. “We are over.”

His expression froze, mouth parting slightly, but I didn’t give him the chance to speak again.

Kaelith’s growl echoed in my mind, deep and livid.

You left with that traitor.

It was a mission,I replied, my thoughts tight.But it’s over. I couldn’t channel enough magic without you. You know that.

Why did he take you without me?

I hesitated.He said he can’t Phantom Step with both of us. Only Katama.

Kaelith’s growl became a snarl, coiling deep in my head.He continues to lie.

I flinched, not because I didn’t believe her, but because part of me didn’t want to know the truth. Not tonight. Not afterhearing the Blood Fae were searching for the same crystal we were.

I just… wanted to go home.

Remy’s gaze flicked toward the black mist over the Blood Isle, jaw clenched. “We must leave.”

He swung up into Katama’s saddle and reached for me without waiting for an answer. I let him pull me up, still numb, still angry, but mostly… tired.

Katama launched into the sky, and just like before, the world shattered.

The Phantom Step ripped through reality, the air folding in on itself, bending time and space until everything went quiet and cold and unreal. A blink, a breath, and we were flying above the sea again, Warriath’s silhouette distant ahead.

But we weren’t alone.

I turned my head as the wind whipped through my braid.

To our right, a gleam of violet caught the moonlight.

Kaelith.

Her massive wings beat in perfect rhythm beside us, a snarl rolling off her in my mind.

Next time he tries to take you without me,she growled,he will not live to regret it.

Chapter

Seventeen

The scent of spiced grains and bacon filled the dining hall as the morning buzz carried around us. Plates clattered, laughter rang from other tables, but our corner was quieter, more thoughtful. The squad was huddled around a plate of fresh bread and dried fruit, a moment of calm after too many days on edge.

“I was only able to activate it for a few seconds,” I said, breaking a slice of bread in half. “Long enough to hear someone say they were looking for the crystal. That’s it.”

Riven leaned forward, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “You’ll be stronger once the bond is complete,” she said confidently, her eyes gleaming. “Your magic won’t feel so… fractured.”

“It feels different,” Jax admitted, leaning on his elbows. “Not just more powerful, but stable. Like it finally fits.”

Cordelle nodded, picking at a handful of nuts. “It’s not just strength. It’s clarity. Like your magic finally knows what it is.”

Tae crossed his arms, quiet as usual. “I suppose.”