Page 74 of Legacy

They saw beyond all of that.

They felt beyond all of that.

And I knew now, as I looked out at all of them, that I loved them for it.

The words… I wanted to speak them.

I wanted them to know just how deep it ran for me, just how permanently etched they were into my heart, my body, every fucking where.

But with my duty andtrainingcoming with Cassius, with the unstable nature of it, what they were each dealing with as well… it wasn’t the right time.

I didn’t want it spoiled.

I’d never had something like this before. Something that belonged to me in such a deep and honest way, so raw and all-consuming.

It meant more to me than I could fully quantify.

And because it did, becausetheydid, I had to give it the reverence that it deserved.

“Halo?” Nyx’s voice sounded, and I looked to see him lifting his head, a deep frown creasing his brow. He was obviously feeling an influx of wild emotions from me.

“I’m okay,” I assured him. “It’s all… it’s all perfect.”

And then I sank into them, drinking in their warmth and every ounce of their closeness, reveling in what this had become between us.

Everything.

As Nyx and I rematerialized,I kept my hand in his.

Actually, I squeezed it all the more firmly, the weight of today hitting me as I took in the mammoth white stone fortress that was the Guardian Compound.

It stood tall and mighty, reflecting the real world impact that the Movement itself had upon the supernatural world. The walls shimmered with Grandfather’s silver magic like mine, as well as Pops’ vibrant-green, symbols of strength but also the promise of protection. Just like the towering silver gates at the threshold.

Marble paths led up to the entrance where statues of faceless Guardians stood tall and proud. Sentries in black hooded robes walked the grounds gracefully and on constant high alert to both receive and defend.

I’d seen pictures of this place, but they couldn’t hold a candle to standing here and marveling at it in person. I could feel the pulse of my family’s magic and power from where I stood, their deep, centuries-long connection to this place. And even now with not all of them being actual Guardian members anymore,they were so deeply driven by their work that ensured the health, safety, and prosperity of the supernatural world.

The weight of that legacy was staggering.

And I’d never come close to being able to touch that, to being a part of it.

Until this moment.

“They know why you couldn’t be there for their meeting with Cornelius.”

I eyed Nyx, his words pulling my attention away from studying the Compound and all it represented to me.

Before I could get a word out, he told me, “They understand. This moment is a definitive turning point for you, both with your family, and regarding your position in the supernatural world. Kai and Vorzyr get that. Just like they get my Crossborn duties.” He eased his hand from mine, then reached up and tucked some stray strands of my hair behind my ear with that sweet, yet sensual touch of his. “Besides, let’s face it, the two of them there without us to reel them in is exactly what’s needed for the nature of their meeting. Cornelius is gonna test their conviction, I’m sure. And they bring that out in one another in spades. You and me… we balance that out, tether them to their humanityandsanity sometimes as well.”

I chuckled at that. “That’s undeniably true.” My gaze went to the tablet that he was clutching in his free hand. “You’re ready for this, you know?”

I’d reviewed his proposal after Kai had done his part, and it was absolutely solid. The passion in it was definitely something that would resonate with Gramps, and the backup of the facts and figures would send it over the top.

He smiled excitedly. “I am, yeah. I’m meeting to go over splitting the talking points with Velra beforehand. We’ve got an hour or so. I sent her Kai’s part to review. So once we do that, we’ll be all set.”

I leaned in and brushed my lips over his cheek.

“What was that for?” he asked, eyes shining at me.

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