Page 100 of Knox

What was that coming through?

What if it was another troll?

Had they made a terrible mistake?

Then, a familiar figure stumbled through the shadows, and Adrian’s fear melted into overwhelming joy.

Knox!

"Knox!" Adrian cried out, his voice cracking with emotion.

He closed the distance between them in three quick strides and threw his arms around Knox, nearly knocking them both over. Knox caught him, his strong arms wrapping tightly around Adrian’s waist.

"It’s you," Adrian breathed, burying his face in Knox’s chest. "You’re here."

Knox’s hand came up to cradle the back of Adrian’s head, his fingers tangling in Adrian’s hair. "I heard you calling me."

Adrian pulled back just enough to look up at Knox’s face, drinking in the sight of him. "I was ready to come to you."

"I was trying to find a way back to this world when I felt you reaching out to me. How did you manage that?"

Adrian pulled back slightly, his hands still resting on Knox’s arms. "We used Caelen’s artifact," he explained, gesturing toward the broken shards on the ground.

Knox’s brow furrowed as he looked at the pieces. He stepped away from Adrian, kneeling to examine them more closely. "Itwas never Caelen’s," he said, his voice thoughtful. "I questioned the shadow king. This belonged to someone else."

Confusion washed over Adrian. "Who did it belong to?" he asked, kneeling beside Knox.

Knox shook his head, his eyes still fixed on the artifact. "Whoever pulled us into this world."

Adrian’s mind reeled. He’d been so focused on defeating Caelen, and then on getting Knox back that he hadn’t stopped to consider the larger implications. "But who is that?"

"I don’t know," Knox admitted. He stood and pulled Adrian up alongside him. "There are a lot of things I don’t understand yet, but only one thing that truly matters."

"What’s that?" Adrian asked.

Knox’s eyes softened as he gazed at Adrian. "Whatever happens, we’ll face it together."

Adrian felt a warmth spread through his chest at Knox’s words. The certainty in Knox’s voice dispelled the last of his lingering doubts. Before he could respond, the demon cupped his face gently, drawing him closer.

Adrian’s world narrowed to the feel of Knox’s lips against his own, the warmth of his body pressed close. The kiss felt like magic, electric and alive, sending tingles through Adrian’s entire being.

In that moment, Adrian knew with unwavering certainty that Knox was right. Whatever challenges lay ahead, whatever mysteries remained unsolved, they would face them together.

When they finally pulled apart, both were breathless. Adrian gazed up into Knox’s storm-cloud gray eyes, now glowing gold again with the power and emotion coursing through them. Through their bond, he saw himself reflected in Knox’s mind, not as the scared and uncertain person he had been, but as someone stronger, braver—someone ready to take on whatever challenge the world wanted to throw at him.

"Together," Adrian whispered, echoing Knox’s promise.

Knox smiled. "Always."

Chapter

Twenty-Six

Evelyn’s face lit up as soon as Adrian and Knox stepped through the front door. "You’re back!" she exclaimed, rushing over to give first Adrian and then Knox a hug. "I’m so glad you found a way to return."

Knox’s lips curved into a soft smile as he returned Evelyn’s embrace. "Thank you for welcoming me into your home again."

Leon grinned from his spot on the couch. "Welcome back. I don’t know how you pulled it off, but I’m happy for you two."