I hesitated, then asked, “Did Sin die painfully? Did you torture him?”
His hand paused, then resumed its gentle motion. “No. It was a quick jab to the brain. He was ready to die anyway. He said he couldn’t live anymore because his feelings for you would never change, but he also couldn’t live in sin for lusting after you. I would hate to be into it with my mate’s twin brother over my pussy. He chose the right path.” War’s voice was matter-of-fact,but I could hear the finality in it—Sin would have died either way.
I nodded, sadness welling in my chest. “I know he found peace, wherever he is. Hoax did a number on his mind.”
War continued to wash me, careful and attentive because I was still so weak. Sin’s heart beat inside me now, its rhythm echoing my own. We could have been inseparable, had we known the truth sooner.
After our shower, War wrapped a towel around my hair. “War, can I ask you something?”
He glanced at me. “Go ahead.”
“Who will protect Charmden now?” I asked.
He chuckled. “Charmden is dead. Thanks to my staff.”
I blinked, stunned. “You got rid of it? What about the other fairies? The children? I thought you just wanted to get rid of Hoax and his army, take over the realm.”
He shook his head, meeting my stare with a hard truth. “I never said that. That’s what you assumed. When we get rid of the leader, the realm goes with it. That’s who I am, Eboenia. I never showed you differently. Being intimate with you, sharing my thoughts with you—it doesn’t change what I’m made to do.” He turned and walked out of the bathroom.
I followed, my legs trembling, the weakness in my body making every step ache. War stood at the window in his bedroom, his back to me, the markings on his skin flickering with restless energy. “Come here, beautiful,” he called.
I crossed the room and stood beside him, looking out over his city. Beyond the mechanical sprawl of War’s city, a tall mountain with a waterfall stood, the water tumbling in silvery sheets that caught the light and sent rainbows shimmering across the mist.
“I didn’t spend much time as Crane, but the little time I did, I realized how much the fairies hated Charmden. The women Hoax broke down, the children he used. That forest you see is their new home. Your friends, Blair and Jinx, convinced the survivors to come so they wouldn’t perish, but some chose to stay behind. Most of Charmden’s magic was tied to its trees and water. When I destroyed those, the realm began to die,” War said.
I tried to process it all, my mind reeling. “You killed Charmden?”
He nodded, unapologetic. “Without the trees and water, the realm can’t survive. It withers, just like its leader. That was always the plan. I don’t leave enemies or their legacies behind.”
I imagined the empty groves, the dried riverbeds, and the withered flowers. “I bet Grim is excited,” I muttered, trying to mask my sorrow with sarcasm.
“My warriors can’t stay out of their forest,” War replied, a hint of pride in his voice.
I narrowed my eyes at him. “You better not be creeping over there.”
He smirked, turning to face me. “I only have a soft spot for one fairy. I don’t need to explain any further.”
“Umm hmm. You know I’m a killer now, so if you want your dick, you better not be over there. A lot of them like to roam naked.”
He chuckled while shaking his head. “That’s what the strip clubs are for,” he said, giving my ass a playful slap.
“You can’t go there either!” I shot back, trying to keep my tone light despite the ache in my chest.
War walked away from the window. “My threats aren’t empty, War.”
He grinned over his shoulder. “Whatever you say, Lor Pussy Fairy.”
I watched him, feeling the weight of what we’d lost and what we’d become. War was who he was—ruthless, unyielding, but mine. And I was his anchor, for better or worse.
War opened the main door of his tower and stepped out, tapping his foot. Instantly, a hoverboard came into existence beneath him, its surface pulsing with electric-blue light. I lingered in the doorway, peering down—the drop was dizzying. One wrong step and someone without wings could fall to their death.
“Do I need something around my neck?” I asked.
“Nah, only when you need to be punished. I’m open to bending traditions a little,” he replied.
“You’re showing off today,” I giggled.
I shrank down to my fairy form and zipped through the air, landing lightly on War’s broad shoulder. The air in his realm was startlingly pure, almost crystalline, which was odd considering the entire place thrummed with mechanical magic.
