Page 143 of The Powers of Nyx

“That’s the problem.” A lump formed in my throat. “I feel like I’ve already failed.”

Rowan shook his head. “You have not. Okay? We can find this asshole. We can stop him still.”

“And you are not alone,” Maeve added. “You never have been.”

My throat tightened with the rush of emotions. But I knew what I needed to do. The Goddess had at least given me something. A place to start.

And it was time to stop hiding it from my mates.

“I need to find…I need to find the others.”

Behind me, Adrian stiffened. “Others?”

“My other mates,” I whispered. “I know where—heis. I know he’s at Oberon.”

Rowan’s jaw clenched, while Maeve’s eyes closed. Only Elias seemed to perk up, though his ears flattened against his head, and he growled softly.

I sighed. “I know. I know. But he’s there. I need to go back. I need to find him. And I need to completeallmy bonds.”

My eyes met Rowan’s, and though he was disappointed, hope filled his expression. “You’re sure?”

I nodded. “If any of us are going to survive this battle, then yes. Iwantto,” I said, gaze straying to Hawk’s.

Something in his eyes told me he already knew what I meant. I hadn’t wanted to see it before; denial had run so deep that I’d refused to catch on to the obvious. I hadn’t wanted to think it possible, but after what happened, I was sure.

And it was time to claim them.

52

IVY

TENSIONweighed heavily in the air, thickening it with dark reminders of what was at stake.

Maeve knelt behind me while I soaked in the tub, my head in her hands as she helped me wash away the remnants of the attack. Spending three days still coated in dust and smoke really hadn’t sat well on my skin, but I was still too weak to get in the shower and clean myself off.

“I never realised I would hate not having impressions of your thoughts,” Maeve said, tipping my head back just enough so our eyes could meet. “The bond is too quiet,a mhuirnín.”

I shivered. “I know.” I hadn’t realised just how used to it I was until it was gone. It would come back in time, apparently. Once I had more time with my mates, it would return to normal strength. The explosion of magic, paired with whatever the usurper had done, had scared it away.

“And I don’t like the idea of you returning to the academy. Not just because of your magic, but because ofhim.”

I tensed at the venom in her voice, slowly turning so we were facing one another. “I need to, Maeve. I don’t have a choice. I need to find—”

“Mystery mate.” She pursed her lips and shook her head. Anxiety rolled off her in waves, tightening her shoulders. I took her hands, still sudsy from the soap, and entwined our fingers.

“It terrifies me. I don’t like the idea of returning, either,” I admitted quietly. “But it needs to be done. Ineedto find him before the usurper does. He’s the missing link.”

Maeve pressed her lips into a firm line, her darkening eyes straying to our joined hands. “The bond at least gave me a sense of your safety. It connected us. I don’t like this, Ivy. It doesn’t feel right.”

“I understand. But it’ll be okay.”I hoped.

She grunted, bringing our joined hands up between us and kissed my knuckles. “We won’t be leaving your side again after this. You know that, right? The bonds are too fragile, and as your mates, we need to be with you. We need to make sure you are protected at all times.”

I swallowed thickly and nodded. “I know, but the kids…”

“We’ll find a way to make this work,” Maeve promised, lowering my hands to the side of the tub. “Let’s finish getting you cleaned up. I’m sure the others are getting antsy.”

I couldn’t help but smile while I finished washing up. It was a wonder they’d given us this much time alone, but we were all exhausted from the effects of the magic. The explosion hadn’t just taken me out.

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