Page 73 of Dark Fae's Destiny

Devi stiffens, before thawing in my arms. She’s never been one for close personal touch, even with those she loves. But our love and history together swamp her now, as it does me. She grips me fiercely as I hold her. I pet a solemn hand down her shining, dark hair.

Loving her and missing her suddenly, as the night sweeps us.

“You know I’m not gone,” I say now as she finally draws away. Holding her hands, I squeeze them as I watch her. “I’m just a phone call away. Or a portal. Which we can both manifest now with our magic.”

“I know,” she says, as she heaves a deep sigh. Her sigh is not sad, however.

Something beautiful fills up my heart, then, as it beats almost normally in the night.

“I have half a mind to follow you to your farm.” Devi lifts an eyebrow at me. “Keep tabs on you.”

“We are forever bonded with our magics in the United Haven of Florence,” I counter as I shake my head. “You’ll always be with me, Devi. Just a thought away.”

“I know,” she sighs. “Still. It’s hard to let you go when I’ve been guarding your back for centuries.”

“Come visit the farm.” I wink at her now. “You know you’re curious about how Quindici DaPonti lives out in the sticks.”

“If you’re settling at the old Altvie property, you’ll barely be on the outskirts of Florence at all.” Devi snorts at me now. “It’s hardly the sticks, more like the suburbs. Exceedingly wealthy suburbs, I might add. For the Royal Houses of the Summer Fae.”

“I’ll be right at home.” I give her a genuine smile now.

But Devi’s right; some part of my heart is sad to be leaving the Hotel. It was where I was raised as a Vampire, and where I learned to both love and hate my life in the Night.

Things have changed, however; I know I still have my old Summer Fae fire in my magic now, and it’s risen high inside me, ever since my trio vanquished the Gold Eyes. Rather than live as a Vampire anymore, a stronger part of me wants to rediscover my former Fae life.

And build a new one with Ariana and Lucca, my beloveds.

“I better get going. Drink hard for me tonight.” I lean in, kissing Devi on both cheeks as she does the same to me.

“I will stay sober.” She lifts an eyebrow, even as a pleased smile takes her. “I need my wits about me if I’m to be the new Hotel Head.”

“Touché.” I smile at her, and suddenly, it’s time to go. Reaching for my parcel for Ariana, I tuck it under my arm, then take a last deep inhalation of the scent of my Hotel and Haven. Like gardenias in a midnight waterfall, it’s an intoxicating flavor on my tongue, and always has been.

Before I can go, Devi reaches out, touching my shoulder and making me turn back. I glance at her, lifting an eyebrow. “Yes?”

“Are you going to be alright, Quinn… without the Music?” Devi asks me suddenly.

I know what she’s asking, as I feel some ancient part of my heart gone silent now. Because the Music left us after we vanquished the Gold Eyes and Ariana returned to us via her portal.

All at once, the Music was not there anymore; though I can still feel its vast harmonies, and still see Ascendant Sigils in that otherworld on the other side of the void when I close my eyes, it’s as if a veil has been drawn down between us now.

Those sigils are unable to manifest anymore. A part of me wonders if we were only given that power at all to bring down the Gold Eyes. It makes me wonder if all of this was one big cosmic plan by some other Ascendant to bring Staphylogenes low by the only thing that could undo him, his own hubris.

Whatever the reason, the Music is gone from us now, no longer able to be made manifest. It still sings inside my heart, and within the hearts of my two beloveds.

Its outer manifestation is gone, however.

And it’s never coming back.

“Long before we had the Music, Ariana, Lucca, and I had our cunning minds, our blazing hearts, and our truthful souls,” I say now as I answer Devi from my innermost heart now, hale at last. “We will be fine without the Music. Diplomacy has always been my strong suit, and Lucca’s, and Ariana’s. What does the Music give us that we cannot create for ourselves? Because now, we have a chance at a good, normal life, together with each other in true love. And that is all I could have ever asked for.”

“You’ll still have your ability to turn an entire room to your charms.” Devi chuckles now as she cocks her head at me, setting her hands on her hips. “Beautiful Quindici DaPonti… or do you wish to be called Valerio Incendari once more, as you were of old?”

The question takes me aback now, as I pause.

“I’m really not sure,” I say with a blink.

“Well. Think on it.” Devi smiles radiantly now as she leans in and kisses both my cheeks.

---