I shut my eyes as I freed the power, willed it to destroy the one destined to love me.
Power exploded, ripped me apart. Energy flowed like a heartbeat as Magnus’ screams grew ear-shattering. Then, with a loud bang, it stopped, and my soul shattered into a thousand pieces as his life force ended. I fell to the ground, empty, starved of belonging to him.
A second later, Talon was there. “Nexi,” he shouted, shaking me.
The only sound to escape my mouth was a loud sob. He grabbed me in his arms. They were protecting, rejoicing, and adoring just as a father’s would.
The instant Magnus died my soul fell into a pit of darkness, but then it instantly rebounded, and his hold evaporated. The relief that came with it brought me such joy that I could only cry because of it.
That is what my tears were for, I realized. I was free from him. My soul was finally my own again. All I felt was the love I had for Kyden and it was stronger than ever. The anger gripping me was gone, as was the confusion. Once again, I was Nexi Jones, Witch, Guardian…and Kyden’s.
As I lay cradled in Talon’s arms, Zia ran to Kyden and laid a hand against him. After a few moments and a bit of strain from Zia, he immediately jumped to his feet, and glanced around a few times. When his gaze met mine, a soft whisper came from his mouth, “Álainn.” Then, he ran, fast and hard toward me.
I scrambled out of Talon’s arms, needing to touch him. Feel him. A thousand conflicting emotions raged through my heart. Betrayal for the events with Magnus, heartbreak over what almost was, but right now, the strongest was joy.
We still had each other. Everything else would be dealt with and sorted through. We made it through hell and back. Right now I wasn’t going to ruin it with guilty feelings.
When I reached Kyden, he grabbed me, hugged me with all his might. He leaned back a bit looking agape. “You killed him.” He grasped my face in his hands tightly. “You overcame the bond. How did you do that?”
“It wasn’t without help,” I said through tears, glancing at Misa and Azar, who smiled brightly.
My smile in return came easily. This was the first time I looked at Misa and didn’t see a demon. She saved us—saved me—and I could only hope her reasons behind it were good ones. Truth be told, I had reached my limit. I couldn’t take anymore.
Kyden ran his fingers along my cheeks, bringing my gaze back to him. His eyes were soft, victorious, and again, possessive as they always were. “You were wrong you know,” I told him, as the crowd and noises faded away as I lost myself in his eyes.
He arched a brow. “Wrong about what?”
“Love is enough.”
Kyden’s grin was devilish. “This time, I’m glad I was.”
He squeezed his hands tighter along my face, pulled me closer toward him, and met my lips in a passionate kiss that was the essence of love. I sighed at the perfection of it, knowing I was right where I belonged.
Did my connection with Kyden run as deep as the one I had with Magnus? Maybe not, but it was better. It was real.
Kyden didn’t own my soul, he captured it and I gave it to him freely. That would always be enough and more than I could ever want.
He released my mouth, laid a few sweet kisses more, then rested his forehead again mine.
My eyes shut of their own accord just relishing in this. The now. No thinking. No moving,. Just the enjoyment of his breath against my skin and his hands on my face. The love surrounding us.
Then Azar shouted, “All hail our new leader, Lady Nexi,” and our peace was interrupted.
Slowly, I drew away from Kyden, glanced around the auditorium to see that everyone had risen to their feet and were bowing. “All hail, Lady Nexi!” they shouted as if their lives depended on it.
Kyden’s chuckle came quiet, but enough that I heard it.
Confused, I glanced at him.
He gave me a knowing look, and with that amused twinkle in his eye, annoyance flew through me. “They can’t possibly think…?”
He nodded as if I was right on the money, his mouth closed in an obvious attempt to refrain from laughing.
My gaze glanced back out to the crowd, who awaited me to acknowledge them.
“Oh, for Christ sakes!”
The End