Page 151 of A Fate of Ice and Lies
I used my magic to throw her to the ground where I formed a spike made of ice that splintered into her side. She roared, but Nalari and the others held her still. My magic swirled over the snow where I formed another spike that I dug into her side. Brenton’s magic followed mine, burning and tearing through her scales as he kept a hand to his stomach.
In all the years I’d known Brenton, never had I seen him so full of rage. So determined to harm and kill. It was all done for Teddy, which, while I was grateful for, I didn’t understand.
“See how strong you are,”Adela said with another roar.“Imagine how much stronger you’ll become if she dies.”
Nalari lunged for her, forcing Adela to the ground. While Nalari pinned the Elder with a large foot, her deadly claws tore through Adela’s chest. A plume of white smoke flared from Nalari’s nostrils as she bent down and ripped through Adela’s throat. Blood spilled from Nalari’s open mouth when she lifted her head to the night sky and roared.
Nalari leaned farther into the Elder, her claws ripping deeper into Adela’s chest. Adela lifted her head only to drop it with a heavy thud that made Everly hiss. Nalari was relentless, ready to flay the Elder open, something I’d never seen. She was fighting against one of her own.
“You tricked me. You used Elias’s mate, knowing Death wouldbanish me from the realm. You should be destroyed for such ruthlessness,” Nalari growled.
“How you come to be the strongest is unimportant,”Adela said to me, her tone an unwavering command as she ignored Nalari. “Whether it’s by your mate accepting the bond or her death, fate will come to pass.”
Nalari snarled, baring her teeth before she reached Adela’s throat again.
“Don’t kill her,” Everly rushed out.
Nalari turned slowly toward Everly while the Elder blinked at her.
“We need her. She’s the only one who can bring Teddy back.” She stood before Adela, her hands splayed on her waist as she waited for our decision.
“Send me back,” Brenton told Adela. “If you can’t send Elias, then send me.”
Air whooshed from my lungs. I had barely registered that Brenton was here and alive before he offered to go back to the astral realm for Teddy. It didn’t make sense—how hard he fought for her and now his willingness to die for her.
“Send me,” George said. “It’s my fault you were shot.”
“Don’t be an arrogant ass,” Brenton retorted. “I’m the only one here who’s supposed to be dead. I’m the only one here who doesn’t have a mate.”
My heart stalled before it started pounding harder, faster while my body hummed to life. I spun toward Teddy, my knees buckling when she stirred. I stumbled to her, falling clumsily at her side when her eyes fluttered open.
“Sounds like I have some matchmaking to do,” Teddy said on a grunt as she tried to pull herself up to standing.
With trembling hands, I helped her up, holding on to her elbow to steady her. When she smiled up at me, I reached forher face. Kissing her everywhere—her cheeks, her lips, her hair. She wrapped her arms around my middle and rested her head against my chest. My arms shook while I held her close to me.
“You crazy, foolish woman.” I continued peppering kisses everywhere.
She laughed, and that sound. . . I’d never tire of hearing it. Wanted to listen to that sweet melody for the rest of my life. Wanted to be the reason she laughed. Smiled.
“I’d rather you call me your mate,” she whispered against my chest.
My heart thundered in reply. Beat so hard against its cage I was surprised it didn’t break free.
My mate.
My legs trembled, and I dropped to my knees onto the cold ground. I hugged her waist and leaned my head against her stomach. She ran her fingers through my hair before she bent down to kiss the top of my head.
When I looked up at her, love shone bright in her eyes. So much love for me, and it took my breath away. My perfect little warrior. She’d defeated Death. How could she have fought and defeated Death?
She ran her fingers through my hair again. “I’m pretty sure Nalari will roast you if you don’t get up.” She quirked up her brows and glanced at Nalari before she bore all that attention back on me. “Royalty kneels before no one.”
All that pressure, all that fear and distress built and built until it released as a thunderous laugh.
“I kneel before you.” I squeezed her tighter, kissing her stomach.
Although my knees still shook, I pulled myself off the ground. Teddy immediately went into my arms but turned atthe sound of Brenton’s sob. I wasn’t sure who hugged him first, me or Teddy, but we both held on to him until his shoulders stopped shaking.
When we pulled away, he gave us a watery smile and pulled Teddy’s beanie down to cover her eyes.
