Page 180 of A Fate of Ice and Lies
“Stay within the bounds of your territories,” he said. “Live in peace, or we’ll meet again, and I won’t be as generous this time.”
With that, Alastor’s magic blazed before he summoned it back, and it disappeared.
Elias paced toward Alastor, his broad shoulders pulled back. He snarled at him, baring his teeth in that animalistic way.
“This was the only way to ensure no more lives are lost,” Alastor said.
“They are not welcome in my home,” Elias growled.
“It is their home too,” Alastor said. “As much as it was my people’s and my home.”
Elias ran his tongue across his teeth, and when he jerked Alastor’s head to the side, Alastor didn’t fight him. Instead, he remained still.
I limped my way to Elias, careful not to put much weight on my injured foot, and rested my hand on his shoulder. His eyes met mine, both seeing and not seeing.
I mouthed the words,“I love you, mo elma.”He blinked, and for one quick second, his eyes lightened. He kept his grip on Alastor, who waited patiently.
“If you want to keep fighting, I’ll fight alongside you.” I peered behind me, around me, where both the humans and the fae watched our interaction. “We all will. But if you want to stop”—I took his hand and placed it against my chest, where my heart thudded fast—“if you want to stop, give these creatures a chance and see if they’re capable of peace.We’ll follow your lead. Say the word. Tell me what you want.”
His fangs pulled in slowly, and he licked his lips. “What do you want?”
“A life with you.”
Elias stumbled back a step before he ran a hand through my hair, his fingers catching in the tangles. He turned those depthless black eyes at the creatures who stood still, waiting.
“Go,” Elias snarled at them.
His eyes, flashing between violet and black, didn’t watch them go.
“I tried to destroy the orb when I felt your power waning,” Alastor said, but Elias kept his eyes trained on me. “I’m sorry I wasn’t strong enough to do so, but I hid the orb in your realm, Elias.” His throat bobbed when he swallowed. “When you go back to Niev, I will give it to you.”
Elias grunted in reply. I sent a small spark of my magic to shock Elias, and when his black eyes found mine, I jutted my chin toward Alastor.
“Alastor deserves a little more than a grunt from you, my mate.” Waiting, I lifted my brows.
He dragged his attention to Alastor, who watched our interaction with curiosity.
“Thank you.” Elias’s attention returned to me, his eyes boring into me with the intensity I had become accustomed to. “For stopping the lirio and nyxx, and for hiding the orb.” It was his turn to lift his brows at me in question.
I patted his chest, and taking the weight of my bad foot, I leaned against Elias.
Alastor bowed his head at Elias and then at me. “You have my gratitude, Theodora, for gifting me a second chance at life,” he said.
I smiled at the mage. “Use it well.”
With that, he left, and when I peered up at Elias, his lips crashed against mine. He kissed me beneath the snow that fell around us, with our enemies, friends, and strangers watching. I gave him everything left inside me, twined that magic that linked our souls together, and let him devour me completely.
I memorized this kiss that was raw with love and sewed it into the fabric of my heart.
Chapter
Thirty-Three
ELIAS
I bent down,taking Teddy’s foot in mine to mend her ankle. Her fingers combed through my hair, and when I stared up at her, she shook her head.
“Wait,” she said.
