Page 127 of Night Fae

"No." Malik turned in Zev's arms to face him. "But if I'd really thought I could bring my family back?"

Zev's violet eyes studied him. "What then?"

"I think…" Malik licked his lips. "I would have been tempted. Anyone would be. But grief can twist our perception of what's right."

"It can make monsters of us all," Zev agreed softly. "When I lost Rhys, I wanted to burn the world to the ground. And today I finally got to kill my father and grandmother."

"That was different," Malik said firmly. "You were protecting everyone, including me."

"Is that how you see it?" Zev's lips lifted at the corner. "I would have killed them regardless. I was not raised to hesitate when an opportunity presents itself."

Malik placed his hand against Zev's cheek. "Your father and grandmother deserved what they got."

"I agree." There was no hint of regret in Zev's features, but he turned contemplative once more. "If someone offered to bring back Rhys or your family right now, in exchange for the kind of destruction Yuri caused?—"

"I wouldn't take it," Malik said with certainty. "Not anymore."

"Why not?"

"Because I've found something worth protecting in the present." Malik's eyes held Zev's gaze. "And I think the people we've lost would want us to choose life, not destruction in their name."

Zev was silent for a long moment. "Rhys would have liked you," he said finally.

"You said that in the Fields," Malik reminded him with a small smile.

"I meant it then. I mean it now." Zev drew him closer. "His strength was finding joy in the darkest circumstances. In creating something new rather than dwelling on a past that couldn't be changed."

"Sounds like a wise man."

"He was." Zev's voice held no pain now, only quiet acknowledgment. "He would have wanted us to be happy."

Malik felt the truth of it through their bond, warm and certain. "So what happens now? Do we stay here? Go back to Earth? Leon said the paths would remain open for us."

"Does it matter where we are?" Zev asked, his arms tightening around Malik. "As long as we're together?"

Malik laughed softly. "You're turning into a romantic."

"Don't tell anyone," Zev murmured, leaning down to press his forehead against Malik's.

Malik grinned at him. "I won't if you seal my lips."

Zev's mouth quirked into a half-smile as he leaned in, capturing Malik's lips with his own. The kiss was gentle at first, then deeper, making low heat spread through Malik's body.

This was what he wanted.

Now that the crisis of worlds merging had been averted, now that they had nothing left to fear, they could finally focus on each other.

They could finally justbe.

"Come to bed," Zev murmured, leading him toward the massive four-poster that dominated the chamber.

Malik followed willingly, anticipation building as Zev started helping him undress.

"You must be tired," Zev said.

Not quite the words Malik had expected to hear. "What do you mean?"

"Just what I said," Zev replied, taking off his own clothes. "We should sleep. It's been days since either of us had proper rest."