“Never mind me. It’s a nick. Are you hurt?”

“My ears are ringing, but I think I’m okay.” I looked down at my limbs. Everything appeared to be intact. No blood. No sharp pain. Somehow, I’d made it through the blast without a scratch.

Gently, he pulled me to my feet. “The ringing should subside quickly.”

“Where is everyone?”

“I’m not sure. I can’t see much through the smoke.”

“Mic!” Luca’s muffled voice seemed miles away. It was barely audible, yet I could hear the sheer panic in his call.

“Lu, I think I just heard Luca calling for me. Go. Find Fallon.”

“Luca!” I screamed, hoping he’d hear me.

“Are you sure you’ll be okay if I leave?”

“I’m fine. Please, go!” I pleaded.

I prayed he’d find the others quickly. My mind wouldn’t relax until we were all accounted for.

“Luca!” I screamed again.

Before I could respond, he was beside me, pulling me into a suffocating hug. “Mic, I was so worried. I couldn’t see you.” His hands trembled as he stroked my hair. “Thank the Divine. Are you okay?”

“I’m good. Are you injured?”

Luca frantically scanned me for injury. “Don’t worry about me. Did you get hit with any shrapnel?”

“Luca,” I said, catching his face in my hands and forcing his gaze back to my eyes. “I’m okay.”

He pulled me into his arms again, holding tight. “I thought I lost you.” His voice quavered. “Mic,”—He turned my face to his—“I love you. I’ve always loved you.”

His confession was exactly what I needed to hear. Tears welled in my eyes. The night’s events had more than overwhelmed me, and the sheer proximity in which I came to losing my life, terrified me more than it ever had. I wasn’t ready to leave this fairytale. Not yet. I didn’t need to almost lose them to know in my heart, I loved every one of them—but maybe this was the catalyst we needed to thrust those feelings to the forefront? To force us all to acknowledge the truth.

Maybe this was the light hidden in the darkness.

I reached up, wiping away the tears from his cheek and placed a chaste kiss on his lips. “Luca, I love you too.”

“I’ve found Fallon.” Lu’s voice pulled me from the moment, bringing me back to the situation at hand. “She’s a little bumped up, but overall she’s fine.”

“Any sign of Nico or Jase?”

“Not yet. They can’t be far.”

“Lu found Fallon. She’s okay,” I shared the good news with Luca. “Where are Nico and Jase?”

“They were both standing in front of the prisoner when he… exploded.”

“We need to find them immediately. They could be seriously injured.” I couldn’t hide the concern in my voice.

“They’re going to be okay. I promise,” Luca said, trying to reassure me as we picked our way through the wreckage.

“Found them! It’s not good. Hurry.”

My heart dropped. The fear I’d been pushing down bloomed into full panic.

“Mic?” Luca caught my arm. “What is it?”