Page 113 of Night Fae

"There was never any competition," Zev assured him. "Just different chapters of the same story."

"That's unexpectedly poetic."

"Don't tell anyone. Lyrian would have a field day with that."

"Your secret's safe with me." Malik leaned forward, his lips brushing against Zev's in a kiss that felt like a promise. "All your secrets are."

Zev deepened the kiss, one hand moving to the back of Malik's neck while the other pulled him closer. Something seemed to glow between them—not just metaphorically, but literally. A golden thread of light, visible for just a moment, connecting them heart to heart.

When they finally broke apart, neither mentioned the phenomenon, though both had seen it. Some things didn't need explanation.

"Stay with me tonight," Malik whispered against Zev's lips.

"Always," Zev whispered back.

And as the otherworldly lights continued their dance across the fractured sky, they found their own connection in each other's arms, a different kind of power to carry them into whatever chaos awaited.

CHAPTER 24

Dawn broke over the Shadow Kingdom in shards of crimson and gold, a bleeding wound in the sky rather than the gentle awakening of a new day. The unnatural auroras had faded with the night, but the wrongness remained.

In the courtyard, Caelen's soldiers assembled, readying weapons and supplies for the journey ahead.

Zev stood to the side, checking his own weapons one final time. The weight of his daggers against his thighs provided a familiar comfort, anchoring him to reality while the world around them frayed at the edges. Against his side, protected in a leather sheath, rested a longer blade—one he'd selected specifically for his father.

Knox approached, leading two horses. "We leave in ten minutes."

"Any word from the scouts?"

"Nothing new," Knox replied, his expression grim. "Just more reports of vanishing territories."

Zev nodded, taking the reins of one of the horses. The creature snorted and pawed at the ground, sensing the tension in the air. Across the courtyard, Caelen spoke with his generals while Daniel stood at his side, uncharacteristically silent.

Adrian joined them, carrying a satchel that clinked with glass vials. "The healers gave us these," he explained, distributing small bottles filled with dark red liquid. "For injuries. They said it's particularly effective against shadow magic."

Knox took one, examining it skeptically. "Let's hope we don't need to test that."

When Malik and Leon finished their conversation, Malik crossed to Zev's side. "Leon says the Barrier Temple is at the center of all shadow paths. If Yuri destabilizes it?—"

"We won't let him," Zev cut in, unwilling to entertain the possibility of failure.

Malik didn't argue. He glanced at the horse, apprehension flashing across his face. "I'm riding with you?"

"None of you humans have enough experience to handle these mounts alone," Zev confirmed. "Not in these conditions."

Relief softened Malik's features. "Good."

Despite everything, Zev felt his mouth quirk into a small smile. "Stay close behind me. Hold tight to my waist."

"That won't be a problem," Malik replied, his fingers brushing against Zev's.

A horn sounded, drawing their attention to where Caelen now sat astride a massive warhorse. The Shadow King raised his hand, and a hush fell over the courtyard.

"Today we ride not just for Elucia," he called, his voice carrying to every corner, "but for all Veridia. For Earth. For every world threatened by what's coming." His green eyes swept across the assembled company. "We face dangers beyond imagining. Some of us may not return. But if we fail, there will be nothing to return to."

Silence followed his words. No cheers, no battle cries—just the weight of understanding passing through the gathered forces.

"We ride!" Caelen ordered, turning his mount toward the gates.