Shea squeezed again, "You did well, daughter."
I blinked back at him, more than relying on his firm grip to keep me from wavering on my feet. "Why do I feelso weak?"
My father's lips pressed together grimly as he held onto my shaking form. "Taking a soul within yourself should never be done lightly. There is a cost," he answered.
I shuddered, "Like the Sanguine."
Shea nodded, "Yes but worse for a god or goddess. You have learned that even we have universal rules we must follow and when they are broken, we suffer fates that no being truly deserves. I would not use this power unless you absolutely have to, my chickadee, even though it is uniquely from your family line," he winked at me before releasing his hand.
I pulled Riella in closer, "I understand." My eyes fell on Emon again, my voice trembled, "How do I release the souls of our people, how do I restore my soulmate’s?"
Shea reached for my mother, settling her back into his side and even pulled my brother closer, squeezing his shoulder affectionately before turning his bejeweled green gaze back on me, lips twitching. "The lilin can easily lay their souls back into their bodies. They are souls too after all. But this will not be the case for your shifter, for him you must breathe it back into him while keeping it tied to your own. Your shared brands will help with that, it was not all for naught daughter. You did well.”
I stilled, ignoring his last words focussing on the breathing Emon’s soul back into his body, "You mean I have to…kisshim awake?"
Riella’s hand fell over her mouth to smother a giggle and my brother’s lips twitched watching her.
Grimacing, the death god nodded, “I suppose, if you wish to see it that way.”
A snort escaped me, causing my daughter’s giggles to burst loudly from behind her hands, the pookah who had been sleeping silently on her shoulder, scrambled to stay perched as her tiny body shook in fits.
But she was not the only one shaking, silent hysterical laughter was bubbling up from days of exhaustion and I had no resistance when it exploded out of me. The Eithne responded. Stars danced, sands vibrated with our echoed laughter, and faraway lights twinkled all around us, shimmering in the cosmic twilight.
“If he doesn't wake up, I’m not kissing him. I have noneed for a prince.”
Those were the words I had said to the shadows that first night I met Emon, when my darkness dragged his unconscious body through the Wildwoods.
I was still right though. I had no need for a prince.
No. I had a need for a king. The only king that would rule my heart and I was going to get him back.
Kiss and all.
Chapter 66
Ishiveredonafrozensummit.
We were finally within the Sanguine lands, knocking on the former queen of Faerie’s doorstep with six glass coffins laid before me.
The lilin had delivered us here before disappearing again to transport Kade and our people back to Faerie. The shadow fae had officially returned from the dead, no longer soulless, and the City of Night was no longer empty.
I was also no longer the last of my kind and my heart beat wildly with joy at just the thought of seeing my people again…someday.
Squeezing Riella’s hand, I surveyed the frozen tundra that stretched for miles beyond the looming shadows of the Red Cap Mountains which stood regally behind us. The lands were still here, frozen in time just like the fae who slept underits frigid sky where a permanent eclipse covered the moons. If anything did hunt these summits they were not awake now, but that did not stop my vigilance.
Popping into a large inky cloud before me, I tilted my head at the shadows with a small smile on my face, “I take it it went well?”
The shadows swirled around us both excitedly, drawing a small giggle from Riella.
I reached out to them, running my hand through their darkness, sighing, “Are you ready for round two then?”
They shimmered over my hand and then gently tugged me forward to the first glass enclosure. My hand trailed over the cool transparent surface, staring down at the gorgeous mocha skin and petite frame of Penina. Her piercings still glittered and I could almost see her deep brown eyes laughing at my intense study of her.
I had missed her, more than I would have ever felt possible.
Lifting the lid carefully, I touched her brow and then looked up at the shadows, nodding to them. Diving into her chest, a sharp gasp left her pierced lips, her body bowing off the platform.
Another exhale released the shadows and Penina’s lashes fluttered before her warm brown eyes blinked open.
