at Peri. It was obvious she was torn between being the queen that she’d become and the parent she was.
She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths. “Cypher passed on his power and memories to me when he died.” Peri wasn’t surprised. It was something that many supernatural races did when a new leader took over. “I am now the sole head of the warlock race. My daughter and grandson have the Colorado pack and the Romania pack, the sprites and everyone else who loves them, fighting for them. I feel that I must be with the warlocks, my people.” Her eyes were filled with confusion, despite her words, as she looked around the group. “Does that mean I’m abandoning Jacque, Fane, and Slate?”
Cindy Morgan walked over to Lilly and wrapped her arms around her. “Anyone who knows you knows that you would never abandon those you love. You do what is needed most. You know that your daughter, Fane, and Slate are going to be taken care of, but without you the warlock race is going to be a mess. That means getting your people through the death of their king and preparing to take on the Order. That is what’s needed most from you. You know we will keep you updated on your child and grandchild.”
“Thank you,” Lilly whispered to her friend. Her voice shook, but her shoulders remained pulled back.
Cindy released her and wiped tears from her eyes. Peri looked away before she let herself give into her own emotions.
“Riven, Ona, and Nissa, would you mind assisting me in getting everyone home?” Peri asked the other fae, who nodded.
“We will return to our kingdom and wait to hear from you as well,” Thalion said as he took Cyn’s hand. “We truly are sorry for such a great loss.” He bowed his head again, then turned to Lilly and bowed his head to her. Then Cyn flashed them from the room.
A moment later, Lucian, Peri, and Cindy and Chris Morgan were the only ones left in the room.
“We aren’t going home,” Cindy said. “The Order has our daughter. We’re going wherever you’re going.”
Peri had known that before Sally’s mom had even begun speaking, and she completely understood. “We are going to Colorado. We need to see how Fane and Decebel are.”
“A son has lost his parents, and his mate and son are in the hands of his enemy.” Cindy sounded every bit the mama bear that she was. “I’m sure he’s not doing well at all. He will need to be surrounded by those who love him.”
“He won’t come back to his pack,” Peri told her. “Not while his mate is in the States.”
“Then we go to him.” Sorin’s voice filled the hall. “I have watched over him his entire life. I need to be with him as much as he needs to be with us.”
Peri turned to see him and his mate, Elle, walking beside him. With them was Adam, Crina, Rachel, Gavril, Wadim, and Zara.
Tears filled Peri’s eyes. She should have known that those closest to Fane would step up. They wouldn’t let him endure this alone. They would walk through the seven levels of hell, carrying him the whole way until he was able to stand on his own two feet. That was pack.
When the group reached the front of the room, Elle walked straight to Peri and wrapped her arms around her. It was not something fae did often—show emotion or embrace one another—but Peri returned the hug of her longtime friend and comrade.
“We hurt with you,” Elle whispered. “It is a pain that will not easily ease, if ever.”
When Elle stepped back, Adam was right behind her. He glanced at Lucian, asking without words if it was okay for him to hug Lucian’s mate. Lucian nodded, and then Adam embraced her even tighter than Elle had.
“I know you,” Adam said quietly. “You are blaming yourself for something you could not prevent or change. You are powerful, Perizada. But you are not a goddess. You have to let yourself grieve without the guilt.”
Peri nodded. “Thank you, Adam.” She appreciated his words, even though it would take a lot for her to believe them.
Each mated pair was either holding hands or had arms wrapped around one another. They were also standing closer together, needing the warmth that came from touch, no matter how small it was. For now, they were a pack without the foundation of leadership, and that was a scary place to