Fuck.

“Wait! Maddy, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean that.” I groan. “I was being a dick. Thank you. You could have left me like that once you realized I wasn’t Zeph.”

“Why would I do that? I’m not the one that hatesyou.”

“Fair. But for what it’s worth… I don’t think I hate you either.”

Her eyes widen.

“Come on. We gotta find Belz and let him know you can stop this. Reverse whatever Luc’s doing.” I change the subject. I need time to examine my feelings before we go down that road.

“Ummm. No, I can’t,” she scoffs.

“Hate to break it to ya, kid, but you just did. I could feel your power overpowering Luc’s. Your light snuffed out his dark,” I whisper.

“Okay. But I don’t knowhowI did it,” she mutters.

“How do you do anything?” I shrug. “I’m not exactly in the loop on these things. I’m not onTeam Maddy.”

I swear she murmursyou could beand my heart constricts.

She doesn’t say anything else, and neither do I ask, smoke curls up my legs until I can’t see in front of me. When it clears, we’re in Luc’s library. Belz and Oz are in a heated argument that comes to an abrupt end when they notice us.

“You were withhim, Princess?” Oz raises a brow at Maddy before narrowing his eyes at me.

“The ward must be failing. I saw Zar in the hall when he started crying like the others.”

Three heads cock as brows furrow in confusion.

“He looks okay to me,” Zeph says.

“Well, he wasn’t ten minutes ago. You think I’m lying?” She glares at my twin and her wings flutter angrily behind her.

“Of course not, Angel.”

“So you figured it out. You know how to fix Luc,” Belz interrupts.

“Not exactly…” She grimaces and I roll my eyes.How can someone so powerful be so fucking clueless?

“Your mate’s not the brightest bulb in the drawer,” I drawl, unperturbed by the growls and snarls thrown my way at the unnecessary comment. “Luc’s power latched onto me and damn near brought me to my knees. Luckily, the fairy princess here caught me before I could eat the floor.”

“You’re welcome, by the way. I know there was athank youin there somewhere.” Maddy glares as she crosses her arms.

Why is she so fucking sexy?

“If that’s what you heard.” I shrug. Her eye twitches and Oz clenches his fist like he’s seconds away from decking me. I couldn’t say why I’m being so antagonistic, but I haven’t felt anything other than self-loathing for so long, this lightness in my chest is foreign and slightly uncomfortable.

“Anyway… She touched me and I felt her power overwhelm Luc’s. So yes. Shecanfix him. Doesn’t mean she knowshow. Just that she’scapable.”

“When she attempted the same thing with Riz it didn't work. Why would it work on you but not on Riz? None of this makes any sense,” Belz growls, pulling at his hair in frustration.

“Maybe it's because they're mates?” Zephs face lights up as if he's having an epiphany.

“She's not my fucking mate.” My snide remark is obviously the last straw because Oz charges me.

twelve

Madelyne