Kylor’s beady eyes dagger Varek, the weight of his words pressing down on the both of us.
Mydros raises his chin and blinks slow, a smile creeping across his face.
“This cannot be tolerated. Will not.”
Hushed whispers erupt around the room. I press my hand to my chest as it constricts, that familiar ache spreading fast.
“With the future in mind and the testimony of Draxel, as well as the human’s remarks, we have come to a decree.”
I suck in a sharp breath and lock eyes with Varek. My heart races in my chest.
“We believe it unfair to harshly punish Varek for lying in this manner. Ultimately, Varek has increased our numbers by five and blessed us with the opportunity to grow even more. To create new life. And for that, he will stay a Highseer.”
Varek’s eyes widen.
“He is sentenced to a lifetime devoted to his mate and their union and will sire many heirs,” Kylor says. He turns and eyes me, his expression unreadable. “And because Paige has offered herself up for punishment too, the council has decidedthat she will help translate for the other females, integrate them into our society, and help them encounter their rightful mate.”
All the tension releases from my body and I can breathe again. A slow smile drags across my lips and Nicole pokes me in the side.
“What? What’s he saying?” she asks.
I shush her as Kylor continues.
“The human females are too important to lose and we fear it would be reckless to exile a mated Vrut male if the bond is as strong as we have learned today.”
Mydros stalks out of the chamber at once. Kylor bows his head in respect and Elyra follows.
“Our word is final.”
Kylor and Elyra both turn and place their hands on a luminite gemstone embedded within the rock. The luminescence pulsates as if alive and then the two older council members exit.
A silent beat passes and for a second, I don’t believe it’s real. The hunters around Varek undo his shackles and they fall to the rocky ground in a heap. Varek turns to face me, his chest shining bright like the sun.
I take off.
My stomach flutters with each step I get closer. He’s free. He’s mine. And we can stay.
When I’m close enough, I jump into his arms. He catches me, wrapping me up in his hold and swinging me around in a circle. His head falls to the crook of my neck and he inhales deeply. I giggle as his nose tickles beneath my ear.
“Oh, troublemaker,” he whispers against my skin. He presses light kisses all over my skin, any inch of me he can.
“Mate,” I say as I hold him tight.
A growl rolls from his chest and he hoists me up higher. I wrap my legs around his waist and grin. The muscles in my cheek burn and ache from all the emotion, but I can’t help it.
Everything that I was afraid of, everything that terrified me about today is over. He’s mine and the clan is letting us stay.
We get to love each other and he’s still a Highseer.
My Highseer.
“They’re not taking you away from me,” I whisper.
He shakes his head.
“I thought I was going to lose you,” I breathe.
“You never will,” he promises, his thumb brushing the tear that slipped from the corner of my eye.