Page 93 of The Eternal Mirror
“Good.”
I release Josh and look around for Thorben, the rebel leader. Of course, he’s on his knees. I frown.
“Get up,” I say. “I can’t talk to you when you’re down there. And I’m going to say this once, and I’m relying on you to spread the word around. I am not a fucking goddess.”
Behind me, Zayne sniggers, but at least Thorben gets to his feet. He won’t meet my eyes.
“There’s a group coming in from the west,” I say. “Don’t shoot them. In fact, send someone out to meet them. They’ll need a cart.”
He nods but doesn’t move. I glare.
He goes.
“You got them out?” Zayne says.
“Some of them. Some of them died.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Me too.”
“And the asshole?”
“Still with us. Bringing in the witches.” I take Josh’s hand and head toward where they’ll be coming into the camp. I’m tired and hungry, but I still have to take Khaos to meet his Wolfpack people. Hopefully, that should be quick. Then I plan to crash.
Laura and Jack join us as we stand waiting at the edge of the camp. Then Thorben. Thoughts of the Wolfpack meeting make me realize something. I edge toward Thorben and ask, “If the Wolfpack wants to join you, are you okay with that? Or will you lock them up like you did Khaosti?”
“They are loyal to the prince, not the father?”
“Yes. They’ve always been loyal to Khaosti. And Khronus has killed an awful lot of them because of that. They’re looking for a side to fight on. What I need to know is—are you happy to have them on your side?”
“The most ferocious legion of shifters ever known? Yeah, we’ll take them. Will they follow orders?”
“If Khaos tells them to.”
“Then they are welcome here.”
One thing sorted.
Grimlet reaches across and tugs my hair, then proceeds to tell me everything he and Josh have been doing. A lot. At least one thing has worked out. The gargoyle seems happy. So does Josh; some of the strain has gone out of his face. I guess all you need sometimes is someone on your side. Or on your shoulder.
Finally, I see the cart rolling toward us. Khaosti is striding in front of it, looking every inch the prince and commander. He sayshe doesn’t want to be king, but whether he likes it or not, he’s a born leader, trained to be the best.
And he’s so beautiful, my heart aches, and I have to force myself to stand my ground and not run to him. At that moment, he looks across, and his gaze meets mine. An expression of sadness crosses his face, and I want to kiss him and tell him everything will be all right. Except I don’t think it will be. This world is flawed. Maybe that’s what Vortex saw and why he wanted to go through the Eternal Mirror: to destroy his mistake and start again. Reboot.
Was he right?
All the same, when Khaos comes to a halt in front of me, I wrap my arms around his waist, lay my head on his chest, and try not to cry. He strokes my hair, and I close my eyes as the wagon rolls past us. Finally, I look up to find everyone watching us.
“It will be all right,” Khaos murmurs.
I don’t believe him, but I smile and step back. “We have to go see your friends,” I say.
“I know.”
I turn to Zayne. “We’ve got to go meet some people, but it shouldn’t take too long. Then I’ll be back. For dinner,” I add hopefully.
“You’re not going back to the palace?”
