Page 90 of WitchCurse

“You called forward destruction. We all felt it. Terrifying and strange,” Sebastian said. “Like the end of the world.”

“Destruction? It’s part of life and death,” Nick said. “He’d been locking away the destruction for centuries. I took it all and unleashed it on the winter court.”

“We had a hurricane off the coast of Washington State,” Sebastian said. “It lasted for days, not moving, but drowning everything with rain and wind that couldn’t touch it. When Kiran called back the power, the hurricane died.” Sebastian stared at the tree and the sleeping kitsune beneath it. “Power of a god?”

He wasn’t bound by curses. I couldn’t see anything tied to him other than us, and our links didn’t look much like chains, but ivy? Like he bound us together with woven plants? It made sense if he was some sort of earth god. If all the kitsunes were made in the reflection of Kiran, did that mean they were all gods?

I could see the worry on Sebastian’s face. Did that mean he would have that sort of power someday? And what about Ari who was a universe of life and death in a sentient being. Wasn’t that the very definition of a god? Or the idea of it at least.

“No human loss of life from the storm. It started over land and moved outward, which has all the weather people going nuts analyzing it,” Sebastian said. “We don’t know how many of the winter court remain. Haven’t heard from any of them. Not the queen or Zephyr or even Wesley.”

“Zephyr is dead,” Nick said with a lot of satisfaction. “I cut him in half before I went nuclear. You haven’t seen a sword around here, have you?”

Sebastian shook his head. “No sword, sorry. But maybe you can try to wake him? Get him to eat some real food? I think that’s why he’s still sleeping. Maybe see if you can leave his realm at all?” He put his hand over his heart. “Everyone will be relieved you’re alive.”

If that was what we were. “How long has it been?” It sounded like time had passed.

“It’s late August. The massive amount of rain from the storm caused flooding, but has been a boon for crops and stuff this year. Everything is growing like crazy. The orchards will be insane this year. We’ll be busy,” Sebastian said. He looked down, taking a deep breath and blinking back tears. “I was trying to be hopeful. Ari said they could feel you in here, but I can’t even find the camper. I get lost in circles taking me back to where I started. Liam’s been trying to contact any remaining high court fae for information, but no one is talking to us.”

A few months. I had more questions, but I also wanted to curl up with Kiran and Nick and justbein their presence for a while. No distance, no conflict with my wolf, just us. Nick nodded, catching my thoughts.

“Can we have the food?” Nick asked. “Is it magic?”

“No magic, just food, he seems to have enough magic of his own now,” Sebastian said. “We haven’t been able to get him to eat. The shadows flock to the edge of the realm and once they cross over…I don’t know, maybe they are the fae that are returning?” He shrugged. “I’ll leave everything for you, and take myself and Ari out.” Sebastian traced a symbol in the air that lit up bright. “Just draw this when you want to call for me, okay? It’s sort of like ringing a bell in my head? I’ll come.” His gaze lingered a moment longer. “I’m so happy to see you both, even if here is the only place you can be?”

Nick nodded. “We’ll all be finding out together soon. Thank you for the food and taking care of him.” Nick scooped up Ari and walked the pup back to Sebastian, passing over the baby after dropping lots of kisses all over their head. “We’ll see you soon.”

Sebastian took Ari, drew a symbol and a door appeared. He opened it, sniffed back tears and disappeared through, the door vanishing behind him.

“We’re in a fae realm and we might be ghosts?” I asked as Nick proceeded to gather up the spread of food and carry it to the base of the tree where Kiran rested.

“There are a few people I’d be thrilled to haunt,” I said.

“I don’t feel dead,” Nick spread out the blanket and unpacked the food. I salivated over a plate of bacon and the giant chocolate cake. There was also a lemon pound cake that I knew Kiran would have preferred. We would save that for him. Nick sliced a chunk of chocolate cake with a fork and ate it. “Tastes like Sebastian’s cake. Texture and everything. If this is what dead feels like, I’m okay with that.”

I snapped up a piece of bacon, surprised at the crunch and pop of flavor. My wolf wanted to run and dance through the trees, playing in the leaves. I ate because I was hungry, and nestled myself in next to the base of the tree. If Kiran was keeping Sebastian away, he wasn’t doing the same to us. He didn’t respond to us being close either, though. His kitsune form breathing, the slow rise and fall of his chest told us he lived.

Nick ran his fingers through Kiran’s fur. “No blight and he’s warm to the touch, not chilled and icy like he has been since I’ve known him.”

I reached for him, sliding my fingertips in a gentle touch over his brow, surprised when a tingle of magic jumped from him to me and I could feel where Nick touched him too. His eyes widened as he met my gaze. Was he feeling this? Like being plugged into a light socket? Was this what it was like to be bound to a god? Was it sad to say I didn’t care about that at all? I only wanted Kiran back, whole, and with me and Nick so we could find a way forward? Even if that meant we were stuck in his realm forever. I didn’t care.

I curled in closer. The tree moved, pulling away from Kiran until I could actually sit and adjust his head to rest in my lap. Nick wrapped himself around Kiran’s flank. And the giant fox startled, tails rising, a snort coming from his throat. How many tails was that? Nine? Or more? I recalled the demon of anime legend. Kiran?

Not demon, muttered Kiran’s sleepy voice through my mind.

Why are you so tired?Nick asked through the link, latching onto the touch of Kiran’s mind. The barrier still there, keeping us out of his head, but it flexed a little. His touch soft and careful.

Building. Came the reply.Home for us.

“But we are here now, so maybe you can wake up and spend some time with us? We have cake,” Nick said out loud.

“And tea,” I added as I stared at the pot and cups.

Dream.

“Are we a dream? Maybe you should wake up and find out?” Nick said.

“Come on, grumpy,” I said flicking his nose. “Snooze time is over. We havebacon. And that lemon cake you like. Maybe you’ll eat with us then come back to the camper for a snuggle?”