couldn’t help himself. “But what about your father, Charity? What about your status and your position?”
“He came with me. I’m still the Third, and my father and his people are currently figuring out how to order takeout in their borrowed homes downtown. They’ve also picked a fight with the elves, I think. They killed a few of them on the way.”
Devon’s eyes widened and his mouth dropped open.
“I know, right?” she said. “My father didn’t seem worried about it. I think Emery nearly shit himself with glee. He’s always been really aloof, but not after that. Suddenly, he was on Team Fae. Given he and Penny are the most powerful mages in the world, and Roger is one of the most powerful shifters, it seems my father is already connecting us favorably in the Brink. It’ll make it easier for them to stay for a while.”
A smirk pulled at Devon’s full lips. He took another step forward, nearly reaching her. “You’re already thinking like a princess.”
She shook her head. “I’m no fae princess. I’m a half-fae, half-human in love with a shifter. I’m an anomaly. I know you were trying to do what was best for me by leaving the Flush, but Devon, you are what’s best for me. I don’t care where I am, as long as I’m there with you. I love you,” she whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Please don’t ever leave me again.”
He rushed her, wrapping her into his arms and holding her tightly. “It nearly killed me to leave you.” His breath was hot against the shell of her ear. The warmth of his body comforted her. His power and strength grounded her. “It tore me up. Please forgive me.” He pulled back, and his beautiful brown eyes, the green and gold specks dancing, showered her with deep, heartfelt emotion. “I lost Dillon, and then I thought I’d lost you. Two of the most important people—”
His voice hitched, and he clenched his jaw to keep the emotion at bay. Her heart broke all over again. Sobs welled up for Dillon. For what Devon had gone through—what he was still going through.
“I’m sorry about Dillon,” she said, putting her palms on either side of Devon’s face. “I’m so sorry. I should have realized. Macy left me a note.”
He nodded, his eyes glassy, clearly not trusting his voice to speak.
She didn’t know what else to say. He wouldn’t accept her guilt, she knew, and it wouldn’t make anything better. So she simply wrapped her arms around him and held him tight, feeling him tremble against her. He’d been hurting but with no one to lean on. It was lonely being at the top.
Except now he had her. He was her protection when she needed it, and she was his comfort when he couldn’t brave life on his own. Together they were each other’s support through this crazy magical world. She said as much.
“I love you, Charity,” he said, and captured her lips with his. “I love you so much.”
She deepened their kiss, losing herself in the feel of him. In the thrill of his magic and his touch. In his wildness. “Take me to bed.”
He swung her up into his arms and stalked across the yard to the back door. “I’ll take you for forever.”
Epilogue
The soft evening light filtered through the clouds as Charity stepped from the large SUV. Macy and Andy followed her out, annoying Kairi and Hallen, who were supposed to be right behind her in all dangerous situations.
Charity held two notes in her trembling hands, her teeth gritted against her rising emotion. Both notes had been written by Vlad, the second having been delivered by a courier shortly after she’d settled in with Devon. Vlad had lived up to his word—possibly—by giving her the address of her mother as well as an invitation to travel there in his private jet.
She’d declined his invitation immediately. Any half-sane person would. But it had taken her much longer to decide what she wanted to do with the information he’d given her. She had a good thing going at the moment, and she just wasn’t sure if she wanted to hear why her mother had left her and never looked back. Her father had insisted it was her choice.
Devon had asked her to move in permanently. She was no longer in a temporary housing setup; now she had a solid foundation with a man she adored. This was made infinitely more special when her father had exchanged