Chapter 30

30

I was on the verge of falling for Jack all over again, and I had half a mind to let myself. Well, why not? It’s not as if he actually left you. Not intentionally, anyway. I peeked at him from the corner of my eye and blushed when he winked back at me. Clearly, he wasn’t too pissed about my stunt with Tenebris, and as for my less-than-savory past…

Well, people were allowed to change, right?

Maybe I could have this. Have him— my happily ever after.

One thing at a time, Mari. I thought of the golden egg tucked inside my satchel, the questions I needed answered if I wanted to cleanse this castle. We were so close to a solution, and yet… what if we were wrong? What if I ended up bringing the entire place down on us? Tenebris and Calum wouldn’t even know to see it coming. I won’t do anything until I’m certain. No more mistakes. Swallowing my worries, I flashed Jack a grin. “Ready for one last, crazy run through the foyer from Hell?”

“When you put it like that…” He waggled his eyebrows. “ Hell yes.”

I rolled my eyes, turning my back to him as I squared off in front of the door.

He stepped into place beside me, looking far too pleased with himself. The worst part? I was actually enjoying it. Damn, I really was gone for this man.

I lifted my fist. “Tearing it up…”

He bumped his knuckles against mine. “…and burning it down.”

“Game fucking on,” I crowed, whipping out my daggers. Jack mirrored my action, fangs extending in a low growl, and together we threw the door open.

The giant lifted its head from where it sat hunched in the middle of the floor, but it didn’t matter—we were fucking fire . Legs and arms pumped in tandem, smooth and fluid while we raced down the stairs. Crumbling holes marred our path—evidence of Gregar’s brute strength—but we didn’t hesitate, leaping over the gaps as gracefully as the most nimble-footed deer. As if we weren’t in danger of being crushed or eaten at any moment.

Like we were the only people in the room.

The only people in the world .

My heart swelled with joy, and I beamed at Jack while we skidded to a stop in front of the ballroom door. His answering grin disappeared as fast as it came, and he jerked the door open when a shadow fell over our heads. We lunged for the ballroom’s promised safety, but a sharp slice of pain raked down my back before I could reach it. My eyes widened as one of Gregar’s clawed fingers dragged me backward, and I grabbed onto Jack’s extended arms while he strained in the opposite direction.

There was a loud riiiip , followed by a snap as I fell forward, smashing into Jack’s chest and sending us both tumbling into the room.

I barked out a stunned laugh. “That was close.”

Jack looked me up and down, his expression stricken. His gaze froze at my waist, and he swallowed. “Mari, your bag.”

Icy dread filled my lungs, and I struggled to breathe as I looked down…

…and saw the straggly threads lining my belt where my pouch used to be.

The egg, my brushes, the spell potion—all of it gone.

“Shit.”

Jack nodded slowly. “I’d say that about sums it up.”

I ran a hand through my curls, turning to face the door. “It could be just outside.” Unless it had been flung over the railing toward the center of the foyer and was being unintentionally guarded by a massive shadow monster.

“Mari…”

“We’ll give it a moment, then I can nip out and grab it.” Maybe. Doubtfully.

“Mari,” Jack repeated, more intensely this time. His hand cupped my shoulder, and I could feel the other hovering over my back. “You’re bleeding.”

Now that he mentioned it, my back did feel a bit tingly. And by tingly, I meant searing with pain that I was steadfastly blocking out in favor of focusing on the current predicament. I reached behind my back and winced when I brushed the frayed edge of torn fabric.

“Damn. This is my favorite cloak.”

“I’d say the state of your back is a more pressing concern. Come on. This cut needs stitches. Harp will fix you up.”

I wrinkled my nose. “A healing potion would be quicker.” And not involve needles piercing my skin. “Let me just peek outside and see if my bag’s there first.”

I cracked the door open and scanned the stairwell. No bag. I shut it with a sigh. “Stitches, it is.” I hobbled across the ballroom with Jack hovering by my side. “I don’t suppose she’d mend my cloak while she’s at it?”

Jack chuckled. “She’d sew you an entire outfit from scratch if you asked. She’s generous like that.”

“And handy, apparently,” I murmured, eyeing the golden harp while she dozed atop the stage. “Kind of strange, don’t you think? For an enchanted instrument to be so adept at practical skills? I mean, it’s not like anyone would have bothered teaching her.”

Jack paused at the foot of the stage steps, his expression bemused. “Now that you mention it, it is kind of odd.” He touched the strands of blond hair falling across his forehead. “She even cut my hair. How have I never wondered about that?”

I snorted. “Typical man. Assuming every woman must be well-versed in household arts, even when they’re a literal harp.”

“Hey, now. That is…”

I arched a brow. “Accurate?”

He blew out a huff of sheepish laughter. “Kind of, yeah.”

I patted his shoulder. “Don’t worry. At least you’re pretty.”

“Uh huh.” He waved me up the stairs. “Come on, then, before you bleed out on the steps. I’d hate to sully my good looks having to haul you up myself.”

“Definitely can’t have that.” I hissed as the ripped edges of my cloak grazed my open wound. “This is karma, isn’t it?” I muttered under my breath. “For all the shit I gave that stupid goblin king when he was torn up and bleeding.”

“What’s that?” Jack asked, leaning in.

I shook my head. “Nothing.” I gestured toward the sleeping harp. “Should you wake her up or I?”

“I’ll do it,” Jack replied. “You’re salty when you’re injured.”

“Ha!” I laughed. “Shows what you know. I’m salty all the time.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Jack teased. “You’re a real villain.”

My smile fell, the thought of my past misdeeds as sobering as a bucket of cold water. I touched Jack’s sleeve, stalling him before he went to wake Harp. “It’s true, though. I’ve done things, villainous things. Things I’m too ashamed to say out loud.”

Jack’s hand covered mine, his voice gentle. “So you said before, many times, but I’m still here, aren’t I?”

I made a face. “We’re trapped in a cursed castle. Where else would you go?”

He tipped my chin up, and I leaned into the warmth of his palm as it caressed my face. “You know what I mean. We’ve both done things we regret. Changed in ways we never expected.” He gave me a wry smile. “Do you have any idea how close I’ve come to punching Tenebris in the face? Even when he’s just sitting quietly I have to fight the urge to pummel him. There’s just this… this anger that always seems to be simmering beneath my skin, and I have to physically stop myself from acting on it. I never used to feel that way before.”

“Hey, you actually called him Tenebris,” I whispered, the corner of my mouth creeping up.

He let out a soft laugh, his thumb gently stroking my cheek. “See? People can change. We’re finally together again, Mari. Nothing you said or did before coming here is going to scare me away. I’m yours to do with as you please.”

I swallowed, my entire body heating beneath his gaze. “You really are whipped, aren’t you?”

He chuckled, his forehead tipping down to rest against mine. “I really, truly am.”

And then he kissed me, and my fate was sealed. Because once again, I knew: there was only one thing I needed in this life, and he was standing right in front of me, free for the taking. And fuck me if I wasn’t going to claim him.

And never, ever let go again.