75. Danica

Danica

75

T he library greets me with the hush of a thousand untold stories, but I'm not here for the quiet. I'm all fired up, purposely charging my steps. "Pack up," I break the silence, "We're going home."

Rhyland nods in agreement. "I'm more than ready to get the hell out of here."

Lucian leans against the bookshelf like he's posing for some magazine, that infuriating smirk of his plastered across his face like a neon sign screaming, "I'm an asshole; ask me how!"

"For the love of FUCK and praise be to whatever sadistic deity finally decided to take pity on me," he drawls, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "If I have to spend one more second prancing around this Lisa Frank fever dream of a wonderland, I was going to shove a fucking pixie stick so far up my ass; I'd be shitting glitter for a week."

He pushes off the shelf, sauntering to us with that trademarkLucianswagger. "But hey, at least now I can finally get back to the comforting embrace of civilization, where the only magical creatures I have to deal with are the crackheads behind the 7-Eleven and the occasional stripper with daddy issues."

I roll my eyes so hard I'm pretty sure I strain something. "Oh, cry me a river,Lucian. You act like you're the only one who's had to deal with this bullshit. News flash, jerkface, we're all in the same boat here."

He shrugs that infuriating smirk, which never leaves his face. "All I'm saying is, if we could wrap this up sometime before the heat death of the universe, that would be fan-fucking-tastic. I've got a bar to run and a reputation as a snarky asshole to maintain, you know."

Despite the gravity of the situation, I can't help but snort at his tirade, shaking my head in a mix of amusement and exasperation. Leave it toLucianto find a way to bitch about our world-saving mission like it's a minor inconvenience.

"Careful,Lucian," I warn, my lips twitching with barely suppressed laughter. "Keep talking like that, and people might start to think you actually care about something other than yourself."

"Bite your tongue,Princess," he retorts, clutching at his chest in mock offense. "I'll have you know that I am a deeply complex and multi-faceted individual with a wide range of interests and concerns."

He pauses, his brow furrowing in thought. "They just happen to mostly revolve around booze, sex, and being a pain in everyone's ass."

I can't help it; I burst out laughing, the absurdity of the whole situation finally getting to me. Here we are, on the brink of a catastrophe that could destroy everything we know and love, andLucian's still finding a way to make it all about him.

Erik frowns, crossing his arms. "Are you certain returning now is wise? Azrael will surely follow us."

I shoot Erik a grin, amped up and raring to go. "I'm banking on it. Luminara's got no shot at patching things up with that jackass running loose. We gotta punt his ass back through the portal—one-way ticket style."

No time to lose, I grab some vials of my O-neg elixir forErik,Lucian, andAdrian.

"Drink up, boys," I say, passing out the vials.

Rhyland's eyes blaze with fury when I offer a vial to Adrian. "Absolutely not," he snarls. "That traitorous piece of shit doesn't deserve an ounce of your blood after what he did."

Rhyland is scowling like a thundercloud, grumbling about me givingAdriana vial. It's like dealing with a grumpy toddler.

Rolling my eyes, I place my hands on my hips, ready to dish out some sass. "You've got to be kidding me. Your brother's about as flammable as a gas station, and I'm not about to turn this trip into an episode of 'Vampire Roasts.' Give him the blood so we can get out of here without unnecessary barbecue sessions."

"Fuck that," Rhyland spits. "Let the bastard burn. I warned you what would happen if you crossed me—over him again," he says, motioning to Adrian.

"Oh, please, give it a rest!" I retort as I meet Rhyland's gaze head-on. "You don't get a say in what I do with my blood, big guy. Since when did you become the blood police, huh? Newsflash: I'm a grown-ass woman, and I can make my own decisions—including whom I give a vial of blood to."

Rhyland steps closer, eyes burning with dominance. "Keep running that smart mouth, and you'll regret it later, Angel. I keep my promises, remember?"

I stand my ground, eyes locked on Rhyland, refusing to be intimidated. "Are you seriously trying to threaten me over a tiny vial of my blood?" I say with a sarcastic smirk. "Because that's, like, the most vampirey thing ever. I'm still waiting for you to break out into a dramatic cape twirl. Give me a sec; my popcorn's in the microwave."

Lucianlaughs behind me, "Oh, yes, please. Do the cape twirl! And while you're at it, why don't you throw in a 'I vant to suck your blood' in your best Transylvanian accent?"

Rhyland's eyes narrow dangerously, his jaw clenching with barely restrained irritation. "You two think this is a fucking game?" He snarls, his voice low and threatening. "It's a promise, baby." Rhyland's voice drops an octave. "You're playing a dangerous game defying me like this."

The air between us grows thick, practically crackling with tension as neither of us backs down.Rhyland's eyes blaze that unmistakable shade of vibrant blue—a warning sign that he's reached his breaking point. My heart races, and I struggle to suppress my arousal. I'm still wound up from his damn edging game.

Dammit, why does this alpha-hole behavior make me hot? I must be certifiably insane, but I'm not about to let him see that. I take a deep breath, willing to stay calm and keep my game face on.

With a huff of frustration, I cave and shove the vial back into my bag. "Fine, you overbearing ass. You win this round," I grumble, glaring at him through narrowed eyes.

Rhylandcan't hide his triumphant smirk, and it takes every ounce of my self-control not to punch it right off his face. Oh, I'll find a way to make him pay for this later. But let's be honest; I'm pretty much screwed when it comes to going up against this sexy-as-sin vampire.

He's got me outmatched in every way—strength, speed, and centuries of experience. But one thing's for sure: there's nothing sexier than a powerful man who knows how to get under my skin. Now, how do I turn this weakness into an advantage? It's time to devise a plan to make this immortal bad boy eat his words and maybe some humble pie.

Rhylandswings his menacing glare towardsAdrian. "Take this as a goddamn warning if you even entertain thoughts of double-crossing us again. You're lucky we are even taking you with us."

Adrian looks up from his book, resignation etched into his features. "It's okay, Dani," he says softly. "Don't worry about it." ignoring Rhyland's threats.

My heart sinks at his acceptance of exclusion, but the decision is made. I'll have to find a safer route.

"Well, spank me sideways and call me a voyeur, but the way you two verbally fuck each other's brains out is giving me some serious 'bow chicka wow wow' vibes," Lucian leers, waggling his eyebrows like a sleazy used car salesman. "I mean, goddamn, the sexual tension between you two is so thick, you could spread it on toast and call it Horny Jam!"

I roll my eyes and feel my face turning a shade of red that would make a fire truck jealous. But of course,Luciancackles like the unhinged lunatic he is, clearly getting off on my discomfort. "Hey, don't shoot the messenger, sweet cheeks! I'm just calling it like I see it. You and Tall, Dark, and Brooding over there have the kind of chemistry that could set off a fucking nuclear reaction. Embrace the hate-fuck, I say! Ride that angry dragon all the way to O-Town!"

Oh, for the love of all that is holy, I cannot believe Lucian. It's like he has a direct line to the gutter and no shame whatsoever in sharing the filth that spews forth.

He's got a point, though—our bedroom acrobatics are top-tier. I shoot Lucian my best death stare, my inner drama queen cranked up to eleven.

Rhylandsteps in, his voice low and threatening. "Lucian, I'm only going to say this once: shut your goddamn mouth before I shut it for you. Permanently."

Lucianholds up his hands in mock surrender, but the gleeful glint in his eyes tells me this is far from over.

Erik chuckles, trying to hide his laugh.

I spin away from the jury, zeroing in on Mr. I-Prefer-My-Own-Company, Faedryn, who, like magic, drops his cup and pulls the stand-and-impress move.

"Faderyn," I choke out because my vocal cords are auditioning for a tragic opera.

His gaze meets mine, and there's a deep sorrow that wasn't there before.

"Why?" My voice is barely above a whisper. "Why did you keep Axilya's identity hidden?"

He sighs deeply before speaking. "Dani, it was never about deception for deception's sake." He pauses as if searching for the right words. "I didn't want Axilya's truth out before she was ready to—"

"But you kept it from me," I interject softly.

"I'm aware." His voice fractures a tad. "And I seek your forgiveness. My actions were guided by reasons, Dani. Reasons I am confident you will comprehend."

And I get it—I really do. I get the whole loyal-to-the-queen bit and the need for secrets. That doesn't mean it doesn't sting like hell, though. There we are, tossing each other one of those long, loaded glances—the kind that says we've been through the wringer and back together. It's like a silent montage of our own personal dramedy, complete with every nasty curveball life's pitched our way.

"I've watched you grow," he continues, voice laced with pride and sadness intertwined like vines around an ancient tree trunk. "From that mortal woman who fell into our world by chance... to this incredible force who has fought for our realm with every breath."

My eyes prickle as feelings bubble up, threatening to spill over in a salty waterfall of tears.

"I'm so proud of you," he whispers earnestly.

His words envelop me like a cozy hug on a blizzardy day—all warm and fuzzy yet prickly with the harsh truth that this is a goodbye.

His tone softens appreciatively as he speaks, "You've transcended the role of merely a savior; you've woven yourself into our fabric—into the essence of Luminara. And you've become a valued friend to me."

A lump forms in my throat, leaving Faderyn feeling like tearing away a piece of myself that has taken root in these magical forests and skies painted with stardust. "Thank you—" I whisper, my voice faltering as emotions swell.

Faderyn was the first person I met coming here, the first friend I made in this strange new world. He was the first to truly see me, to understand my unchecked powers. From that moment by the riverside when he tended my wounds, his kindness and wisdom have guided me through the darkness. He trained me, yes, but he did so much more—he gave me hope when all seemed lost, strength when mine failed, compassion when I needed it most. On this journey, he became the brother I needed. And now...Now, I must find the words to say goodbye to him.

"What for? The gratitude is mine to express, Dani," Faderyn encourages soothingly.

"For saving me—that day by the river. For becoming a friend when all I was to you was a stranger," I confess, my voice a soft murmur between us. The enormity of what lies ahead casts a long shadow—a blur of what's to come shot through with streaks of hope and threads of fear.

Faderyn moves to reach out but hesitates, a dance of second thoughts. Finally, his hand finds its way to my shoulder, a touch laden with a deep understanding and the warmth of friendship, anchoring me in the now, even as we stand on the precipice of tomorrow.

"It was my pleasure," Faderyn replies, his voice loaded with layers of unspoken camaraderie and kinship.

We linger there for a moment longer—the scholarly fae who stood by my side and the once-ordinary human now a herald of change. I wrap him up in a bear hug, inhaling his scent like it is the final whiff I'd ever get. Then, we part, acknowledging the bitter twinge that goodbyes bring and knowing they're not the end. Not really. Not for us who are entwined by adversity and enchantment, our connection untouched by the bounds of worlds and ages.

Sneaking a final peek at Faderyn—rocking that bittersweet 'you got this' grin—I whirl around to face Rhyland, Lucian, Erik, and Adrian. The squad's all here. The checklist is done, and we're a team with our eyes on the prize. So we're bidding adieu to Luminara's cuddly clutches, but hey, we're pocketing some of that glow for the road. It's our secret weapon against the big bad lurking in the wings.

Mentally, I'm already sprinting back to Emily and Damon, eagerness bubbling up inside like a fizzy drink. It feels like I left them way back in the Stone Age—and judging by ol' Father Time and his infuriating puzzle clock, I may as well have.

Are they alright?

How much has shaken up around them while I've been on this wild goose chase?

Snapping back to reality.

Gotta buckle up for the next installment of the ongoing saga: getting Azrael back to mortal town and figuring out where this magic crown will lead us next.