go now," I reminded them, already reaching for Justice.
Her mom got a hand on her other arm before I could pull her closer. "No! If you take her back and the lines are destroyed, she’ll never be able to return."
Justice looked between us. "Is that true?"
None of us would return, because there’d be nowhere to return to, but before I could remind everyone of that, Jepati did. "I'm not sure either world could survive the loss of that power. As Jacob said, the balance would be thrown out."
"We can't let that happen," Justice said in a rush. "I must return and fight against whatever is happening. Otherwise all will be lost."
Her mother sobbed, a dramatic cry, before she pulled herself together. "Yes, yes. You have to be the hero. You are my hero, baby girl, and I will not hold you back from your destiny."
Justice was crying too as she hugged her mother hard, and I felt a renewed determination to fix this so I could get her back here.
Grace hurried off to say goodbye to her family as well, but Tyson remained with me, face somber. "The explosions are from a disturbance along that great ley line that connects the worlds?" he asked Jepati.
The ruby king nodded, looking equally as grim. "I'm afraid so. It’s the only explanation for so much magical instability. I hope you figure out what’s causing it and quickly. Otherwise all is lost."
Stepping closer, he hugged his daughter, heartbreak on both of their faces, as if this was the last time they’d see each other. After having only had one month together, it was a cruel sort of punishment.
"We’ll fix this," I said, determined. "Earth and Faerie need each other, and I will not allow whatever is happening to end these worlds."
Deloria looked at me fully, for what might have been the first time. "If you can fix this and return our daughter to us, I will understand why you’re worthy to be her true mate."
Justice met my gaze, and there was a slight eyeroll at her mother's dramatics.
"Sure, no pressure there," Tyson quipped from beside me. When everyone looked at him, he shrugged. "What? My brother is worthy without having to do one damn thing. We've saved the worlds multiple times already, and you'd do well to remember that."
I'd been trying not to force the issue, hoping they'd come around on their own—the best solution for Justice. Tyson clearly didn't feel the same way, and since it was second nature to defend our pack, I didn’t fault him for having my back.
"Thanks, bro," I said, slapping him on the shoulder. "Ready to save the world one more time?"
He nodded. "Fuck yes I am. We got this."
He turned to where Grace was hurrying back, having said her goodbyes, and took her into his arms. His magic swelled around us. "I can't open a portal," he said a moment later. "I'm trying, but nothing is happening."
"Are we too late?" Justice asked, voice hoarse.
Tyson reached out to me, grabbing my shoulder. "Power me up, Jake."
Our bond snapped into place, echoes of Braxton and Maximus tearing along the connection as well. Tyson's already impressive power surged even further and there was a stirring of energy, but not enough to bring the step-through to life.
"Maybe we should try," Grace said when Tyson looked ready to lose his shit. No doubt she could hear him cursing through their bond, just as I could.
She stepped over to Justice, the two of them holding hands as swirls of their icy jeweled power washed over everyone nearby. Conversations stopped as the fey turned to see what was happening, and when they realized it was their princesses performing their unique brand of linked magic, awe descended over them.
I was one lucky fey to have her as my true mate.
Truthfully, I’d half loved this prickly, snarky, sexy-as-fuck chick long before I knew she was fey. I wanted her when I thought she was human.
I was not losing her now.
28
Justice Winter
I'd only just recently come into control of my power by bonding properly with the jewels. Problem was, that recent meant that I was next to useless in knowing how to use my powers in a really productive way. Some worked by instinct, but a lot didn’t.
Here’s hoping instinct kicked in soon on how to open a pathway between the currently unstable worlds, otherwise everyone I loved would be destroyed. I agreed with Jacob that somehow this was the direct result of President Caine and his