My heart stutters at the wistfulness in his voice, and for a second, I see it clearly. The two of us hidden away here, isolated, untouched by war, by fate, and by anything but our love.
It’s so incredibly tempting for me to surrender everything I am and live only for him, too.
But he’s been strong for me so many times. And now, it’s my turn to be strong for him.
“That’s the bond talking.” I put gentle pressure on his chest, keeping him from closing the distance between us, even though I want him to so badly I might burst.
He hesitates, his brows knitting together, confusion crossing his eyes. “How can you be sure?”
“Because I know you.” I keep my voice steady, despite the tightness in my lungs. Patience is what’s gotten me through these past two weeks of keeping him from losing himself in the bond, and I’ll be patient for as long as it takes to heal his soul. “I know the prince who spent years surviving the Winter Court alone, who was strong enough to cure his father, and who cares about protecting his home. You’re so much more than this bond, Riven. You don’t need it to love me, you don’t need it to know who you are, and I refuse to let you lose yourself to something you never asked for.”
He stares at me, conflict etched into every line of his face, his jaw tightening.
“I love you,” I say, strongly and firmly. “And I’m not going to let you disappear into your love for me.”
His chest rises with a deep, trembling breath, as if surfacing after nearly drowning. “Gods, Sapphire—” He exhales sharply, blinking himself back into focus. “I almost...”
“You almost got lost again.” I keep my palm over his heart, anchoring him, steadying my breathing with his. “But I always find you, Riven. I always bring you back, and I’m never going to stop fighting for you, no matter what.”
Which, if we’ve followed our instructions correctly, should be soon. And once we’re free from this bond, I’ll love him harder than ever. Not because I have to, but because I choose to.
“Come on,” he says after a moment, pulling back with a smile that makes my heart hurt. “We have a garden to find.”
We ride in comfortable silence for a while longer, the dense jungle slowly giving way to more open terrain. Ghost and Nebula move with graceful purpose, their paws barely making a sound on the forest floor.
“There,” Riven says suddenly, pointing ahead.
I follow his gaze and catch my breath. Because rising before us, nestled between two towering cliffs, is an archway carved from marble and vines, beautiful but ancient, nature reclaiming its territory. But beneath the beauty is something deeply unsettling. It’s like the stones are watching us, warning us to turn around, telling us we don’t belong here.
Still, we continue forward. And as we approach, my magic responds to the energy pulsing from the archway—layers upon layers of spells woven so tightly they’ve become almost sentient, shimmering like silk spun from sunlight.
Wards.
When we’re a few feet away, we dismount carefully, our boots sinking into the soft, moss-covered earth. Nebula presses her head against my side, and I trail my hand along her fur, drawing strength from her warmth. Ghost nudges Riven similarly, the bond between us all tightening for a moment, grounding us in the present.
Shadows of lingering sadness remain in Riven’s eyes, but he draws the Ember of Prometheus from the satchel at his hip, its glow intensifying in his hand.
“Ready?” His eyes search mine, as if one word from me would convince him to drop the Ember and disappear with me into the jungle, never to be seen again.
“Ready.” I nod, my heart thudding with anticipation.
Just like when we crossed the Night Court’s wards, he hands the Ember to me, and I press it against the center of the invisiblebarrier. The air ripples, and the wards brighten into full visibility—intricate patterns of light and shadow, gold and silver, night and day.
For a moment, nothing happens.
Then, the Ember flares, and with a sound like cracking glass, the barrier shatters, sending shockwaves of magical energy outward, making my hair stand on end.
“We did it,” I say as the Ember dims, its purpose fulfilled. “We’re in.”
SAPPHIRE
Rivenand I turn to Ghost and Nebula, who wait patiently behind us, their intelligent eyes watching our every move.
“Stay close to the entrance,” Riven tells them. “Make sure no one else comes through.”
The familiars settle into position as we step through the archway. And the moment we cross the threshold, the air shifts, like we’ve entered a place that exists outside time and space.
An endless garden of breathtaking beauty stretches before us. Flowering trees form arches over endlessly winding paths. Fountains of crystal-clear water catch the sunlight, casting rainbows across carefully tended flower beds. Everywhere I look, there’s magic—subtle and ancient, woven into every leaf and stone.
