Page 64 of Loving Amari

We arrive at the technology center and I open the door. Torin steps in and runs up to Nala and Aaron, who are standing by the 3D printer, examining something.

That’s when I notice King Amir standing in the center of the room, looking around with an expression of pride. My steps falter. I frown, but straighten up and approach him.

I bow my head respectfully.

Amir places his hand on my shoulder. “I don’t need formalities from you, Amari. After what your coven did for Wintermoon, for us, we owe you a great debt.”

I shrug, uncomfortable with the praise. “Thank you.”

“Have you heard anything?” His golden eyes study me carefully.

“No. I don’t know how she’s doing and I’m afraid that I’ll never see her again. The children can’t even feel her.” I try to hold back my tears, but one falls anyway, betraying me.

“I have faith in Fate that you will get her back,” Amir says gently.

I shrug and clean my face, adjusting my posture to regain some composure.

Amir looks over to the children as Bobby shows them how to create a 3D wolf print. The printer whirs softly, building the model layer by layer. Torin doesn’t look impressed and grows more irritated when Nala marvels at the technology.

“That’s cute. I can conjure you a wolf carving with my magic, Nala,” Aaron says, blue sparks dancing between his fingers.

Torin rolls his eyes hard enough that I’m surprised they don’t get stuck.

“Young love triangles. That will sort itself out over time.” Amir chuckles. “Aaron needs to grow out of his lust. He will once he becomes an adult.”

Amir starts walking with me toward the door. “What brings you here?” I ask.

“I wanted to marvel at your new creation. And I wanted to check on you.”

“I’m just existing,” I admit, my voice flat.

“I know that feeling more than anyone on this land.”

I look at him, really look at him. “Waiting for Anora so long, since the beginning of time, how did you do it?”

Amir laughs, the sound dark. “Oh, I did well, not counting the fact that I lost control of my temper at the thought of losing her future visits and took out an entire bear shifter clan.”

I wince at that and look over at Nala and Torin, who are staring innocently at us. Bobby quickly gets their attention back on the 3D printer.

Amir chuckles. “I am forever shamed by what I’ve done, but I’m not afraid of my past. It’s good for them to know. The dark history is just as beneficial as the good. It helps them learn from the mistakes of the past. Which is why I’ll never understand why humans love to rewrite history.”

I nod in agreement, thinking of all the erasure I’ve witnessed over the centuries.

“Don’t be a stranger to the royal island,” Amir says.

“I’ll try.”

Amir teleports, leaving me to my thoughts. I wonder if I’ll go mad waiting for her like he almost did. If I’ll lose control. If the separation will break something fundamental inside me.

The day passes like its usual blur. Nothing feels real anymore without Carla. I go through the motions, smile when expected, nod at the right moments. But inside, I’m hollow.

I go back home to Medina Shadow Coven where my men are taking up their usual posts, happy to be home. The castle feels too big now. Too empty.

Tofi greets me the moment I enter, images flashing rapidly. Daddy, Daddy. Mommy, Mommy’s home.

I furrow my brow. “Mommy? No, Tofi baby, Mommy isn’t home.”

I suddenly hear Carla’s voice in my head, and my body goes completely rigid.