Chapter Twenty-Seven

“Ember?”

I came awake with fear clawing at my chest. Not for myself, but—

“Ara!” I called out and struck my hands out.

Xae snatched my hand and pulled me into an embrace. “I'm so sorry, Ember. So sorry.”

“No,” I whispered. “No, I had him. He was free. I nearly had him.”

“We just didn't have enough strength,” Rath said gently as he stroked my back. “And you didn't have enough training.”

I started to weep, and my men folded around Xae and me, their presence a reassurance that I didn't deserve. Their love, their dedication, and their acceptance—all more of what I didn't deserve. I had failed. Again. It was so close. The end of the war. Ara's freedom. And I wasn't good enough.

“We will get stronger,” Keltyr said.

“ You will get stronger,” Taroc said.

“Where is he?” I eased back from Xae's chest and swiped at my eyes. “Is he gone?”

It wasn't necessary for me to specify who “he” was. My lovers looked at each other and instead of jealousy or anger, they showed only concern. For me and—I was surprised to realize—for Aranren.

“When we arrived, you were both in a trance,” Rath said. “Nex had been trying to . . .”

“What?” I growled, my eyes narrowing. “What was Nex trying to do?”

Xae answered for Rath, “Kill Aranren. The Corrupter was in a trance too. But Nex couldn't get to him. There was a ward around him. You, however, weren't warded.”

“The Elements summoned us,” Keltyr said. “We were with you when you fought Death. Could you feel us?”

“Yes,” I whispered and grasped Kel's hand. “Thank you.” I looked around at the men I loved. “Thank you for always giving me everything you have. You never fail me.”

“We did today,” Taroc growled. “I'm sorry, Ember.”

“It wasn't you,” I said. “ I failed today. I took on Death before I was ready.”

“No, Spark of the Goddess,” Air said. “You didn't fail because you did something wrong. You did everything right. The spell didn't hold because you couldn't follow the proper order. And that's not your fault. You had to save Lord Vexen first. So, you weren't able to pull Death fully into Aranren before you set the cage. Today we learned that it's an integral step.”

I remembered the dark swords falling toward Vex and shuddered. “Yes. All right. But the why isn't important. Death now knows our plan.” I shook my head. “He'll be better prepared next time.”

“And so will we,” Air said.

“Air,” I said. “All of you. Thank you for bringing my men to me and for standing with me today.”

“When I said we were all with you, I meant your lovers as well,” Air said.

I remembered them gathered around me and realized that their hands weren't the only ones on me. They had supported me in the astral plane while my lovers had done the same in the physical world.

“We were so close,” I said. “Again.” I closed my eyes and moaned, “Again.”

“Third time's the charm,” Fire said.

Blinking, I looked up. “What does that mean?”

“It means that we'll definitely get him next time.”

“Fire is right, Spark of the Goddess,” Earth said. “We made contact. Although that may not seem like much to you, it's important to us. While you were battling Death, we were sensing him.”

“Sensing him?” I asked.

“Don't start that repeating shit again,” Fire snapped. “Pay attention, Sparky. Cause we were. We sensed the differences in Death. Differences we didn't see before. And now, we can train you to use them against him.”

“Now, that , I understand.” I stood up, a new determination filling me.

“There's one more thing,” Air said hesitantly. “The main difference we saw was how powerful Death has grown. And how your power wasn't enough against it.”

“What?” My determination faltered.

“Even if you had enough time to properly cast the spell, it wouldn't have worked,” Water said. “Let that be a comfort to you.”

“How is that a comfort?” I growled.

“Because you couldn't have won today, no matter what you'd done.”

Air took over, “And we know what you need, Ember.”

“Oh, for fuck's sake, stop drawing it out,” Fire huffed. “You need another lover. Your strength is nearly there, Sparky. One more man should do the trick.”

“Do the trick?” But then my confusion faded and my determination went solid again. Because that's when I saw Vexen.

He was standing to the side with Nex and a huge group of Wraith Lords. I was a little startled by their presence for a couple of reasons. First, they had been so silent that I hadn't known they were there. And second, I'd never seen so many lords respond to a summons. But then this wasn't just any summons. It was me against Death on the battlefield of Fress. Many of the lords had grown attached to the children and formed friendships with the adults of Fress. When Death attacked this village, it was personal for all of us.

But I barely glanced at the other wraith lords. I was focused on Vex. And he was focused on me. I saw it in his eyes. He knew that I'd be after him now. Chasing him instead of the reverse. It was bad for our relationship. Alphas needed to hunt. But I didn't have time for that shit. I needed to fall in love now more than ever.

Because my team had been short a man.

Vexen's face twitched, but he didn't run. Again, too alpha for that. Instead, he stepped forward, and my lovers parted for him. They stared him down. I could feel the intensity rolling off them. But I didn't look away from Vex. And he didn't look away from me.

“I felt it when you left me,” Vex said.

I blinked, trying to comprehend. Thrown off by the unexpected. “What?”

“When you fought Death,” Vex clarified. “I felt you leave your body. It scared the shit out of me.”

“Oh.” I thought about it. “I didn't really leave. I, uh . . .”

“His mind went to the astral plane of existence,” Air said.

“Yeah,” I said. “I even saw the Elements there.”

It was Vexen's turn to be confused. “You saw the Elements on this other plane? Like when Fire appeared to Graysen?”

“No. When she did that, she used the element to shape a body. But there, she looked like a normal woman.”

“It's a spiritual place. And a place where the mind rules. Those bodies are how we see ourselves,” Air explained. “After watching people for so long and becoming conscious of ourselves, we couldn't help but imagine the physical forms we'd take if we could.”

“They suit you,” I said.

“You're damn straight they do,” Fire said brightly.

I cleared my throat.

“But we shall withdraw from this personal conversation now,” Water said. “If you need us, just call, Spark of the Goddess. We will attend you instantly.”

“Thank you,” I said. “Truly. Thank you.”

“You're welcome,” they said together.

“Ember.” Vex took my hand. “You chose to save me over catching Death.”

“Of course.” I scowled at him. “It wasn't a choice. Even the Elements knew that.”

Vexen smiled brilliantly. “It's time to find out if we are meant for each other.”

“Holy shit!” I exclaimed. “Really? I don't have to chase you?”

“Please don't,” he said dryly. “That would ruin all the warm feelings I'm having.”

I laughed as I hugged him. “Thank you, Vex.”

He chuckled. “I know I'm a great lover, but I've never had anyone thank me before we had sex.”

I pulled back, still laughing, and shook my head at him.

“Now afterward is a different matter.” Vex grinned brilliantly. “After sex, I get thanked all the time.”

That's when I knew that I loved him.

Things had been so confusing for me. My softer emotions had gotten buried beneath pain and fear for Ara. With the relief that there was a new plan and I could still save him, all the other stuff surfaced. I'd been falling for Vex for what seemed like forever. It wasn't long at all, but it had been longer than most of my courtships. I think only Xae held out longer than Vex and only because there was weirdness between us. Wait, no. Rath technically held out the longest. He held out so long that I went to Xaedren instead.

“Ember?” Vex prompted.

“Huh?”

“I asked where we should go.”

I looked over my shoulder at my lovers. They nodded at me. It was my choice. That's what their eyes said. But I had learned that it was never just my choice.

I let go of Vex and went to them. “I love you.” I kissed each man. Quick pecks, but enough to convey what I needed to. “Is it all right if I let him decide?”

“Yes, of course,” Rath said. “That's how we usually do it.”

I looked back at Vex and held my hand out to him. He joined us.

“Is anyone else getting uncomfortable?” Nex asked.

I'd completely forgotten about the other wraith lords.

“We're leaving soon, Nex,” I said over my shoulder. “Just go back to what you were doing before the attack.”

“Yeah, I'm not doing that,” Nex said. “We need to prepare the town for the next attack. Because you know there will be one. The Corrupter has found a way to summon you. All he has to do is come here.”

I hadn't thought of that.

“You and you.” General Ranor pointed at two lords. “Stand guard at opposite ends of the village. The rest of you, get back to the citadel.”

“General—” Nex started to protest.

“They can return in an instant, Nex. And I am staying to go over a defense plan with you.” The General waved toward the orphanage. “Fress has just become a priority.”

I followed the motion of his hand to see windows and the front doorway full of faces. Human faces. The humans of Fress were skittish now, and that wasn't a bad thing. They'd been attacked and imprisoned by the Corrupter. They'd been corrupted. That gave them a good reason to be afraid. And they were both safer and more in jeopardy than other humans because of their association with me.

Despite that, none of them stared at me with anger or resentment. Instead, they nodded supportively. The kids even waved. I waved back, feeling honored to know these resilient people. I'd been denied friendships with them before, but tragedy had given me a second chance. I needed to end this war for them and all the other people on Varr.

Especially Aranren.

As Nex went inside with Evina and the General, two lords went to their posts, and the other lords faded back to the citadel, I offered Vex a choice.

“Would you like it to be just you and me?”

Vexen's brows rose. “As opposed to?”

“All of us together,” Rath said. “It's the only way to settle the bond between us. You can start with just you and Ember, but you'll have to finish with us later. Or we can all join at once. It's up to you.”

“That's assuming that a bond forms,” Vex said.

I let my heart rise into my eyes and said, “It will.”

Vex went still. Absolutely still. Not even breathing. Then he blinked. “You're sure?”

I nodded. “Even if it doesn't happen right away, I know it will. But I think it will happen right away.”

Vexen chuckled. “What changed?”

“When I had a moment of relief, I was able to see things clearly, and I knew. I felt it.”

His expression softened. “Then let's have this first time to ourselves.” He held out his hand. “Can I take you to my home?”

“Are you sure that's a good idea?” I took his hand.

“No one will bother us. If they do, I'll make them regret it.”

I beamed at him. “Then take me home.”

Vexen pulled me into an embrace. As he did, I looked over my shoulder at my lovers. They weren't smiling, but they looked hopeful. Vex would be the last. He had to be. We were so close to capturing Death. All we needed was enough time for me to cast the spell properly and a little more power to fuel it. One more man should do tricks. Or whatever the fuck Fire had said.

And then Vex took me home.