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twenty-two

O nly darkness. Thick and endless.

The whispering returned, but this time, it was just one voice.

“I’m coming for you,” it hissed. “You can’t run from the shadows. You can’t run from ME!”

My hand burned. The room flickered with an eerie, ghostly glow as the Ruby flared to life, its power streaking through me like molten lightning. Heat radiated from my palm, crawling up my arm, prickling my skin with dread.

“I will find you! You can’t escape! ”

The voice echoed in my mind, a chant of doom.

I jolted awake, screaming, “No! It burns!” My heart thundered, sweat clinging to my skin. The nightmare clung to me like smoke, familiar, choking, impossible to shake.

Zeke’s arms pulled me close, the steady heat of him tethering me to the moment.

“It’s okay, shhh,” he murmured, his voice anchoring me in the chaos. His hand moved slowly down my back, careful and calming. “I’ve got you.”

I buried myself against him, the solid comfort of his presence the only thing keeping me from unraveling. I lay still, breathing him in: warmth, safety, something that felt like home, waiting for my pulse to settle.

“Are these dreams going to keep getting worse?” I asked, my voice still trembling.

Zeke exhaled, apology flickering in his eyes. “Once we leave this house, they should subside. Some,” he added quietly. His fingers traced light circles on my back. “I wish I could stop them completely.”

He pressed a soft kiss to my temple, then leaned back slightly, eyes searching mine. “You’re burning up,” he said gently. “Why don’t you take a shower? It might help you feel better.” He brushed a damp strand of hair from my forehead, his thumb lingering, like he didn’t want to let go. “I’ll make us breakfast while you do. ”

Then, as if he couldn’t let the moment stay too heavy, he gave me his signature goofy grin and wiggled his eyebrows. “And after that? Waterfall time.”

After the shower, I made my way downstairs, the scent of bacon and eggs filling the air. Izzy was already at the table, digging into a plate piled high with food.

“I’ve got one ready for you,” Zeke called out with a warm smile as he set the plate down.

But then his gaze caught on me, and something in his expression shifted, like he’d forgotten about the food entirely.

“That looks amazing,” he said, his eyes sweeping over my outfit. “The fit is perfect. I have to say, I did well.”

I’d slipped into the leggings and tank top he’d picked out the day before, feeling a little exposed. But when his eyes met mine, something inside me eased. The tension I hadn’t even realized I was holding melted away, replaced by a quiet comfort in my own skin.

He always had that effect, making me feel like I didn’t need to be anyone but exactly who I already was.

He sat beside me, close enough that I could feel the quiet gravity of him—protective, steady. His hand brushed lightly against my arm, and for a moment he studied me, like he was making sure I was really okay.

Izzy glanced at Zeke, amusement and skepticism dancing across his expression as he cocked an eyebrow. “Please don’t tell me you wear a suit hiking,” he said, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth as he crossed his arms.

Zeke raked a hand through his hair, rolling his eyes. “No, I’d sweat too much. Obviously.”

I shook my head at them, amused, and turned back to my breakfast. I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until the first bite hit: perfectly crisp bacon, smoky and salty, paired with fluffy, buttery eggs that melted on my tongue. Each bite was more satisfying than the last, and I devoured every bit.

“That was incredible,” I said, meaning every word as the comfort of the meal settled in my stomach. “You’re such a great cook, Zeke.”

Izzy laughed, leaning back in his chair with his long legs stretched in front of him, taking up more space than the chair seemed built for. “Yeah, that’s sort of his thing.”

Zeke’s smile softened, a flicker of nostalgia settling behind his eyes. “Our mom always let us cook with her. She was pretty adamant about breaking down ‘gender roles.’”

Izzy’s voice jumped to a high-pitched falsetto as he waved his hands theatrically. “My future kings will not be useless in the kitchen.”

Zeke beamed, eyes crinkling with quiet joy. “Anyway, I was always better at it than he was.”

Izzy shot him a quick glance, his shoulders lifting in a defensive shrug. “Hey, I just don’t have the patience for it!” he said, raising his hands in mock surrender. “I get too hungry waiting for everything to cook.” He grinned, adding, “Besides, I was gifted with the better personality. You needed a little something extra, ya know?”

Zeke yanked him into a tight headlock before he could say more, his knuckles digging into Izzy’s scalp. Izzy laughed, twisting and swatting at him, but there was no mistaking the enjoyment in the struggle.

I looked over, biting back a smile, amused by their antics. “Well, your mom sounds like my kind of woman,” I said, letting the humor linger in my voice.

A quiet peace settled over me as I watched them. The way they moved around each other, effortlessly close, was the kind of bond I’d only ever seen from a distance.

Izzy scooped up another bite, talking through a mouthful. “Oh, she loves you. Don’t worry,” he said, pausing just long enough to chew before grabbing another forkful.

I glanced at Zeke. He nodded, his expression earnest and proud. “She does,” he said simply, like it was a fact that couldn’t be questioned.

Izzy jumped out of his chair with swift energy, throwing his hands up dramatically. In a flash, his plate vanished, disappearing into thin air. He waved his hand over his clothes, and instantly, his outfit shifted to army green cargo pants and a black T-shirt. With a satisfied grin, he slung his backpack over one shoulder. “Alright, all ready to go! ”

Zeke shot me a playful look, wiggling his eyebrows before doing the same. His suit morphed effortlessly into black cargo pants and a tan T-shirt, the change smooth as if it were second nature.

Not wanting to be left out, I waved my hands over my wet hair, mimicking their motions as if I could fix it the same way they changed clothes. When nothing happened, I shrugged, a wry smile tugging at my lips. “Guess mine’s broken.”

Both of them burst out laughing, the sound warm and contagious. Izzy stepped closer, slinging an arm around my shoulders and pulling me into a quick, affectionate side hug. “I’ve really missed you, Bryn,” he said, his cheek resting lightly against my head.

By the time I finished getting ready, at a much slower pace than them, I might add, we finally made our way to the car. The engine roared to life, and as we started pulling away, Izzy leaned forward from the back seat, his head popping up between us like a jack-in-the-box.

“Is this really how you guys get around everywhere?” Izzy asked, eyes wide and eyebrows raised as he inched closer, clearly intrigued.

Zeke nodded, his hands firm on the wheel. “Yes. And you’d better do the same unless you want to cause chaos by fading in front of a human.”

I glanced at Zeke, surprise flickering across my face. “Wait…there aren’t cars in our realm? ”

He shot me a side-eye, his lips curving slightly. “We don’t need them. Even the lesser witches can fade. Although…” His tone turned almost mischievous as his gaze drifted to the road. “I do enjoy this car. It’s fun.”

Izzy’s face lit up, his shoulders bouncing with energy. “Let’s go faster! Let’s see what this thing can really do!”

I shot my hands up, alarmed, and leaned slightly back in my seat. “Whoa, some of us are in a very fragile state right now. Probably not the best idea.”

Zeke threw me a knowing look, trying a little too hard to suppress his smile. “Yes, I agree.”

Izzy flopped back in his seat, crossing his arms, his pout ridiculously melodramatic. “Lame.”

When we reached the trail, Izzy glanced around, skepticism sharp in his gaze.

“This doesn’t look sketchy at all,” he said, sarcasm thick in his voice as his eyes darted like he expected someone to jump out and snatch him.

I arched an eyebrow, amusement tugging at my features as I tilted my head. “Since when are you scared?”

Izzy let out an exaggerated laugh and leaned back. “Who, me? Scared? Never.” He waved the idea away with a shrug. “Besides, if there’s a bear or something...I’ll just fade out. No big deal.”

I narrowed my eyes at him, giving a small shake of my head. His bravado was almost convincing.

Then his face lit up as he struck a mock-heroic pose, bracing like he was preparing for battle. “Oooor, I could stay and protect you from the bear. Obviously. I’m a good guy like that.”

Zeke rolled his eyes without sparing Izzy a glance and kept walking, his pace steady as he strode into the path ahead of us.

“So, are there any cute human girls around here who are single?” Izzy asked, batting his lashes like a cartoon character, hope plastered across his face.

I let out a quiet laugh and shrugged. “Probably, but considering you’re looking at my only two friends in this realm, I’m not much help.”

Izzy clutched his chest with a dramatic sigh. “Wow, that’s tragic.”

I hitched my backpack higher, a crooked smile tugging at my mouth. “Tell me about it.”

Zeke, a step ahead, glanced over his shoulder, his eyes narrowing. “Quit trying to use her for your dating life, Izzy. Besides, I doubt a human girl would even know what to do with you.”

Izzy gasped, pressing a hand to his heart. “Excuse me? I’m a prince! I have charm, I have looks—and a castle. Who wouldn’t want this package?”

He gave an exaggerated wink, then flicked a nonexistent speck of dust off his shoulder like it sealed the deal.

I blinked at him, then turned to Zeke. He shook his head, dry amusement tugging at his mouth. “And you thought I was full of myself. ”

I couldn’t hold back a laugh. Izzy’s antics were over the top, but they had a way of being endearing.

We reached the cliff’s edge. The thunderous roar of the waterfall echoed in the distance, growing louder with each step.

Izzy froze as we stepped into the clearing, his eyes widening at the view. “Whoa,” he murmured, his usual humor slipping. “For a human realm, this is…incredible.”

Zeke’s eyes darted to me, a half-smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, before he shifted his gaze back to Izzy.

“It gets better,” he said, motioning for him to come along.

We followed the narrow trail down the cliff’s base, the path twisting sharply as we descended.

The waterfall came fully into view, cascading into a crystal-clear pool framed by weathered stone ledges and lush greenery. The sight left me momentarily still, the sheer beauty overwhelming. I was going to miss this. I glanced at Zeke, only to find his gaze already on me.

Our waterfall.

We settled onto the smooth rocks in our usual spot, the rush of water filling the air.

Izzy wandered to the bank, excitement spilling over as he took in the view. In a flash, he vanished and reappeared at the water’s edge, crouched to study the falls up close .

Zeke inched closer, his gaze searching mine, his body at ease but his focus unwavering.

“Are you happy?”

A soft smile tugged at my lips. “In this moment? Yeah, I’m happy,” I whispered.

The roar of the waterfall filled the silence, but my mind was anything but peaceful. The future clung to me like chains: heavy, unrelenting, impossible to ignore. I didn’t want to pull Zeke into this. He didn’t deserve to be tangled in my mess.

What if something happened to him? Guilt coiled tight within me, a sharp knot of fear and uncertainty. I had to protect him, even if it meant pushing him away. He already had enough to deal with as king of an entire realm—one at war, no less. The last thing he needed was to follow me into even more danger. He’d already sacrificed so much, wasted years searching for me. I had no idea what tomorrow would bring. How could I risk taking him along?

I sucked in a shaky breath, trying to calm the storm inside my head. I couldn’t ask him to walk into the unknown with me, especially when I still didn’t fully trust him or remember him the way I should. He shouldn’t have to risk his life for someone who wasn’t sure of him, someone still lost in the chaos of her own mind.

It wasn’t fair.

Breaking the silence, I spoke hesitantly. “Zeke, I’ve been thinking… ”

He side-eyed me, his brow furrowing, suspicion flashing in his eyes.

“Oh no,” he teased, his lips curving upward. “I’m not sure I like the sound of that.”

But the warmth in his expression did nothing to ease the heaviness in my chest. I looked down at the rocks, my hands fidgeting in my lap, fingers twisting the fabric of my shirt.

“You can’t come with me tomorrow.”

His smile faltered, then disappeared entirely, his body going rigid as his gaze sharpened on me. “What? Of course, I can—”

“No,” I interrupted, my words spilling out faster now. “I can’t drag you across this human realm, on the run with no end in sight. It could take months, maybe even years. You can’t use your powers here without risking exposure, and with that amulet in their hands, you’re not even safe. I’ve thought it through. I can work for two months, save up, and use that to move on to the next place. I’ll keep it going until I figure things out. I can stay in contact with Sadie, and she can help me research.”

Zeke’s jaw clenched, frustration lining his features. He closed his eyes briefly, exhaling through his nose before fixing me with a determined stare. “I won’t leave you. Ever. No matter how long this takes or what it costs me. Wherever you go, I’m going too.”

My throat tightened, emotion flooding through me. I swallowed hard, trying to steady myself, but the words came out ragged. “But what if I never trust you enough to fade? What if I never remember?”

His expression relaxed, and he shifted closer, gently brushing a stray curl from my face. His fingers lingered, a subtle, reassuring touch.

“Then we’ll make new ones. Any version of you is enough for me.”

A tear slipped down my cheek before I even realized it. Without thinking, I leaned in and kissed him, my hand resting lightly on his chest for balance. It was quick, but when I pulled back, his stunned expression melted into a soft, crooked grin. He closed the distance, his hand gently cupping the back of my neck as he kissed me again, this time longer, deeper, his lips tender but insistent.

When we finally broke apart, his eyes crinkled with a smile, a quiet glow in his gaze making my heart flutter. “What do you say…one last swim?” He spoke low, playful, and full of affection.

My face lit up, the heaviness forgotten—if only for a moment. “Absolutely.”

I stood, feeling a rush of excitement as I slipped off my tank top, revealing the swimsuit beneath, and tossed it onto the rocks. Zeke’s gaze lingered, admiration clear in his eyes.

“Last one in buys ice cream!” I called, winking as I dashed toward the water’s edge, my heart racing .

Before I could get far, Zeke vanished and reappeared beside me in a heartbeat.

“Hey! No cheating!” I shouted, giggling as my breath quickened, trying to keep up with him.

After hours of swimming and laughing, as if we didn’t have a care in the world, we finally collapsed onto the sun-warmed rocks to dry off before the long trek back.

Izzy stretched lazily, his arms draped behind his head as he basked in the sun, eyes closed in contentment.

“I guess this realm isn’t so bad,” he muttered.

“Yeah, it sort of grows on you,” Zeke chuckled softly.

I nudged Izzy with my foot, smirking. “Maybe you’ll find a nice human girl and settle down here.”

Izzy cracked one eye open, shooting me a glare as his lips curled into a playful sneer. “Don’t get too carried away,” he said dryly, then closed his eye again, a smug smile spreading across his face as he leaned back with a confident air. “She’d come live with me, obviously .”

We all laughed, the sound carrying through the quiet wilderness around us. But then, without warning, Zeke bolted upright, his entire frame seized by a jolt of awareness.

The shift in his energy was instant and jarring. He stared off, his jaw tight .

I frowned, sitting up straight as concern replaced my lightheartedness. My shoulders tensed, and I leaned forward, my eyes narrowing. “What is it?”

Zeke didn’t answer right away. His gaze remained locked, his words barely a whisper when he finally spoke. “Do you feel that?”

Izzy shot up, his movements sharp and frantic. His relaxed demeanor was gone, replaced by palpable tension. His eyes darted around, scanning the forest as if searching for a threat.

“He’s coming,” Izzy said, urgency in his voice. His hand gripped the edge of the rock, knuckles white as he stared into the distance. The unease on his face made my stomach drop.

“Who—who’s coming?” I asked, my heart pounding, each beat deafening. I shot to my feet, my legs unsteady, hands trembling as I grabbed for my clothes.

Zeke turned to me, his expression grim, his tone cold as ice. “Reggie.”

The name hit me like a jolt of electricity. My breath caught, fingers fumbling as I struggled to pull on my shorts. “What? No! How did he find us?!” I cried, panic flooding my voice.

Zeke shook his head, frustration pulling at his features. He exhaled sharply, hands flexing at his sides, trying to contain his own anxiety. “I…I don’t know,” he admitted, his eyes filled with the same uncertainty I felt .

Izzy’s usual playfulness was gone. His face was hard, brows furrowed, lips pressed tight. He moved quickly, hands working as he helped gather our things. “He’s close,” he warned, his voice clipped. “We’ve got maybe thirty minutes. Tops.”

I froze, my mind reeling. “Thirty minutes?” I repeated, my voice high-pitched, incredulous. “How could you possibly know that?”

Zeke’s answer sent a chill down my spine. “Your power,” he said, his tone grave. “It’s so strong—any supernatural being within miles can sense it.”

A knot of dread tightened in my gut.

Zeke was already moving, eyes scanning the woods like a predator anticipating an ambush. “We need to go. Now,” he barked, snapping me back into motion.

Adrenaline surged through me as the reality set in. Reggie had found me. And we were running out of time.