Page 42 of Night Fae (Monsters of Veridia #3)

A week after the battle at the Barrier Temple, the Shadow Palace still buzzed with activity.

Dignitaries from territories across Veridia arrived daily to assess the new state of the world, diplomats shuttled between chambers with urgent messages, and mages worked tirelessly to monitor the stabilizing barriers.

Malik avoided most of it.

He stood on a secluded balcony overlooking the eastern gardens, watching servants tend to the flowers.

"Deep thoughts?" Zev's voice came from behind him.

Malik turned to find him leaning against the doorway, dressed in the dark leathers he preferred. The past week had been good to him. The haunted look that had shadowed his violet eyes for so long had diminished, replaced by something calmer.

"Just thinking about home," Malik admitted.

Zev crossed to the balcony rail. "You miss Earth."

It wasn't a question, but Malik nodded anyway. "I have unfinished business there."

Zev didn't take long to guess what was on his mind. "Your family's fortune. You said you never touched it."

"I couldn't bear to. It felt tainted by grief." Malik's fingers traced the weathered stone of the balcony. "But now I'm thinking about all that wealth sitting idle when it could be used for something better."

Zev studied him with that penetrating gaze that always made Malik feel as though his thoughts were being carefully cataloged. "What would you do with it?"

Before Malik could answer, a servant appeared at the doorway with a stiff bow.

"The Shadow King requests your presence in the council chamber. Both of you."

Malik exchanged a glance with Zev. Another meeting. They'd attended three already this week, each filled with discussions of border realignments, shadow path regulations, and diplomatic arrangements that meant little to either of them.

"Tell King Caelen we'll be there shortly," Zev replied, dismissing the servant with a curt nod.

The servant retreated quickly.

"You still make them nervous," Malik observed.

"Good." Zev's mouth quirked.

Together they walked through the palace corridors.

"You never answered my question," Zev reminded him as they approached the council chambers. "What would you do with your fortune on Earth?"

"Something useful," Malik replied. "I have more money than I could spend in a lifetime." He hesitated. "Maybe it's time it helped people instead of sitting in accounts gathering interest."

Zev's hand brushed against his, a brief touch. "Then perhaps we should discuss returning."

The massive doors to the council chamber stood open. Inside, voices already rose in discussion. Caelen sat at the head of the long stone table, Daniel beside him. Knox and Adrian occupied seats to his right, while Leon and Lyrian sat to his left. Maps and scrolls covered the table's surface.

Malik hesitated at the threshold, his eyes meeting Caelen's across the room.

Thoughts of his home reminded Malik of the time Caelen had taken over it.

The shadow king's brows lifted slightly as if sensing Malik's animosity.

Zev's hand pressed against the small of Malik's back, grounding him. They entered together, taking the remaining seats.

"Good. We're all here," Caelen began. "Leon has news about the shadow paths."

Leon nodded. "The stabilization is progressing faster than expected. The paths are no longer attempting to devour emotional energy from travelers. I've been able to establish consistent connections between five fixed points on Earth and their corresponding locations in Veridia."

"What does that mean for us?" Adrian asked.

"It means controlled travel between worlds is now possible." Leon slid a parchment across the table. "I've mapped the safe routes. With proper guidance, anyone can move between Earth and Veridia without the dangers we faced before."

The implications settled over the room.

"So we can go home," Adrian said quietly.

Knox's hand covered his. "Or stay. Or both."

"That's why I called this meeting," Caelen interjected. "We need to decide what happens next. Not just for Veridia and Earth, but for all of you."

Daniel leaned forward. "I'm staying here," he stated firmly. "With Caelen."

No one seemed surprised by this.

"Knox and I have discussed returning to Earth," Adrian said. "My grandmother needs me, and Knox is willing to try living there again."

"The barriers would allow us to visit Veridia when needed," Knox added.

All eyes turned to Malik and Zev.

Malik felt a sudden clarity. The past week had given him time to think, to consider what came after survival. "I need to go back, at least for a while," he said. "I have resources that could help people. It's time I used them."

Caelen studied him with those unnervingly green eyes. "And you, Zev? Will you return to Earth as well?"

"I go where Malik goes," Zev replied simply.

Next to Caelen, Daniel smiled at Malik. "Just keep him away from your appliances."

Zev's gaze narrowed. "Malik's appliances have nothing to fear from me."

Malik turned to him. "You nearly stabbed my microwave before we came here."

"It made threatening noises."

"It was heating soup."

A ripple of laughter broke the tension in the room.

"I've survived the Night Court," Zev said with dignity. "I can survive beeping boxes that heat soup."

The discussion turned to practical matters—when they would travel, what supplies they would need, how they would maintain contact between worlds. Leon offered to escort each group through the shadow paths when they were ready.

As the meeting concluded, Caelen called for wine to be brought. "A toast," he declared once each goblet was filled. "To new beginnings across two worlds."

They drank, and Malik started to relax, but as conversations broke into smaller groups, Caelen approached him. Zev tensed beside Malik, wary.

"A word?" Caelen requested.

Malik did not really want to talk to Caelen, but he was intrigued. What could the Shadow King possibly want from him now?

He followed Caelen to a quieter corner of the chamber, the comforting weight of Zev's gaze on his back.

"Daniel tells me I owe you an apology," Caelen said without preamble.

"And what do you think?" Malik kept his voice neutral.

"I acknowledge that I've done some awful things to you."

"You were possessed."

"True," Caelen agreed. "But that doesn't mean I was never in control of my actions…

or a willing participant in the crimes I committed.

" He studied Malik with unexpected frankness.

"I can't pretend I am innocent, and I won't. For the personal harm done to you, for taking your home and betraying your confidence—I am sorry. "

Never having expected an apology, Malik wasn't sure how to process what he was hearing. "Are you going to say sorry to everyone else too?" He glanced toward Knox and Adrian on the other side of the room.

"Don't push it." With that, Caelen left Malik to return to his mate.

When Malik rejoined Zev, the fae raised an eyebrow in silent question.

"He actually apologized to me," Malik explained.

"Did you accept?"

Malik shrugged. "He walked away before I could decide."

Zev's mouth quirked. "Guess none of us can become someone completely different."

"Different enough. For now." Malik picked up his wine glass and took a sip, considering the transformation he himself had gone through. "So. Earth," he said to Zev, "with all its beeping contraptions and confusing customs. Still sure you want to come?"

"I've managed living in your world before."

"Barely. I don't think you were happy."

"I've grown since then." Zev's eyes softened slightly. "Besides, your purpose there matters to you. That makes it worth enduring Earth's peculiarities."

Something warm unfurled in Malik's chest. They'd come so far from the Night Court cell where they'd first met in this world—Zev cold and distant, Malik captive and afraid. Now they stood as equals, bound by choice rather than circumstance.

"I was thinking about starting a foundation," Malik said. "For kids who lost their families." His voice grew quieter. "Everyone deserves a supportive community."

Zev's hand found his, squeezing gently. "A worthy purpose."

"It'll mean meetings. Paperwork. Public appearances."

"Sounds terrible."

"And what will you do while I'm busy?"

"I'll find ways to occupy myself." Zev's expression grew thoughtful. "Even in your world there should be use for someone with my skills."

Malik raised an eyebrow. "Should I be worried?"

"Not unless you're running an underground crime syndicate I don't know about."

Those words did nothing to convince Malik that he didn't need to worry, but the quirk of Zev's lips did.

After a while, they joined the others as preparations were discussed for their respective journeys.

Leon would take Knox and Adrian through the shadow paths tomorrow morning, with Malik and Zev to follow two days later.

Daniel and Caelen would remain in the Shadow Palace together, though Daniel made Adrian promise to visit soon—and to bring hair dye.

Malik laughed, getting the distinct feeling that everything would be all right.

What a strange and wonderful feeling that was.

Later, he and Zev settled by the fire in their room. "Tell me more about this foundation," Zev said. "What will you call it?"

"I was thinking the Jahan Foundation for Displaced Youth," Malik said, using his family name.

Zev nodded approval. "Your family would be proud."

The simple statement hit Malik with unexpected force. For so long, thoughts of his deceased loved ones had brought only pain. Now, for the first time, he could imagine them approving of the path he'd chosen.

"I hope so," he whispered.

Zev kissed him softly. "I know so."

Through their connection, Malik felt his confidence as his own. They were going to be all right, and they were going to accomplish wonderful things—together.