Page 185 of Curse of Darkness
Hope.
A better world.
For all of us.
I want that world for Amaya. I want that world forus.
And there’s nothing I won’t do to fight for it.
“Thirteen years ago you saw something in me,” I whisper, reaching out to accept his hand. “Something worth fighting for. Well, now I see something inus. In you and me. In Amaya. In Finn and Eris and Baylor and Lysander. In Thalia. Even in Grimm.”
That last name chases a laugh from him. Thiago’s hand clasps mine and he draws me to my feet. “Oh, Vi.”
“Once upon a time you said you’d burn the world to ashes to keep me safe.” I rest my palm against his chest, right over his heart. “Well, now I want you to burn the world to ashes to keep us all safe and to keep this dream alive. Step into yourself, Thiago. Be who you’re meant to be. There’s no fear anymore. Not in this moment. Because I know you can do this. I know you will come back to me. And I know you have the strength to face our enemies and ruin them. I love you, but right now, I need the Prince of Evernight.”
He kisses me hard. Fierce and claiming. One last hint of defiance against those who’ve sought to tear us apart.
And I lean into that moment.Mine.My dark prince. My forever. My rock.
All these years he’s been the one to anchor me.
Now it’s my turn to be his.
“Go,” I whisper, pushing him away from me as our lips break their seal. “Get me to that Hallow.”
“As you wish.” Thiago shoots me one last fierce look, kisses my knuckles, and then turns, assessing the battle.
Half the Evernight cohort are on their feet. Others fight to keep the goblins off us, but they’re being torn from their horses. I flinch as a sword rises and then drives through the throat of one of our guards.
Everywhere I look, we’re being overwhelmed.
Thiago stalks through the line of soldiers, his cloak stirring behind him like wings. “Protect her,” he says grimly to Baylor and Gwydion. “I’ll get us to the Hallow.”
“Fall back to the queen!” Baylor bellows.
I’m suddenly surrounded by the backs of a dozen fae.
Thiago stalks toward the ring of goblins surrounding us.
And with every step, the air around him seems to thicken and darken, until I swear there are dozens of shadows trailing in his wake.
He wasn’t supposed to reveal himself to the Horned One. Not yet.
But if we don’t make the Hallow, then none of this matters.
“Prepare yourself,” Baylor mutters. “Shit’s about to get real interesting.”
“You’re such a master of understatement,” Gwydion says, rolling his eyes as he backs toward me.
Stillness settles over Thiago.
Goblins pause. Hesitate. You can practically see what they’re thinking: One man. What is he doing?
And then Thiago’s hands flick toward them.
Shadows lash through the goblin horde. Dark clouds drive toward a dozen foot soldiers, and I can hear the screams as they’re consumed by the Darkyn wraiths that Thiago’s unleashed.
Everywhere I look, there’s mayhem.
