Page 97 of Forged By Heart and Claws
“I have no answers.” Many-Greats shook his head. “Your wolf shouldn’t have been impacted by the loss of fae magic, since it’s from Earth.”
I bowed my head, struggling to wrap my mind around all these things. All that genuinely mattered to me right now was Vad. If he was still alive, every second counted to get to him.
A gentle hand pressed against my shoulder. I looked up to see Elara had come up behind Ember and me. She knelt and offered me a small bowl of dried fruit and nuts. Tears had stained her face, and she looked as if she had aged years. “You should eat.”
Here I was, being selfish. Of course, Elara was impacted by the loss of Vad as well, and here she was, taking care of me. I turned and hugged her, and my arms wrapped all the way around her narrow frame. I could feel the bones in her back and shoulders.
Neither of us spoke. The sadness between us was too raw for words. She was my sister, too, though we weren’t blood. Ember knew what to say to soothe me and remind me that I wasn’t alone, but Elara understood far better what made Vad special, and I knew we would both give all we had to get him back and stop Colm.
We pulled apart, both wiping at our eyes. I cleared my throat and took the bowl from her hands, nodding in thanks, even though I wasn’t sure I could eat. My stomach felt like a hollowed-out cavern, but not from hunger.
Elara took her seat again with a tear running down her cheek.
“You should definitely eat, Briar,” Ember said. “And then, when you’re feeling up to it, we’re going to leave. Many-Greats thinks he can get us through the portal one more time?—”
“No.” The word cracked through the air, firm and final, and more like a growl.
Ryker blinked in surprise. Ember lifted her brows, clearly not expecting the resistance.
“I’m not leaving Vad, or any of my family and friends here.”
Ember brushed her hair behind her ear. “Briar, they told us what you’ve been through, and it sounds like hell.”
“So what?” She always tried to protect me, but she couldn’t anymore. Everything had changed. “I’m?—”
Eyes glowing, Ember glanced at Ryker.
Ohhellno. She’d better not try to get him to alpha-will me home. “Don’t you dare,” I seethed. “I won’t be forced to go back to Earth.”
A low voice cut through the conversation. “You’re not taking her anywhere.” Thalen now stood near the shadows behind the crates, eyes bloodshot but hard. “Not after everything she’s done for us. She nearly died here, yes, and now that it’s convenient, you think you can justwhisk her away?”
“Don’t you dare talk to my mate like that.” Ryker leaped to his feet.
Touching his arm, Ember tilted her head. “It’s not about convenience. She’s my sister, and?—”
“She’s ourqueen.” Thalen's voice cracked like stone splitting. “She’s the reason most of us are still alive, and I made a promise to my king and best friend that I would protect her. If she wishes to remain here, then I will fight to keep her here.”
“She is part of our pack.” Ryker clenched his hands.
Thalen came and stood right in front of me and glared at Ryker and Ember. “ShechoseVad and everyone here. This is her battle too, and we need her.”
“Even if you try to alpha will me, it won’t work.” I needed her to understand, and I realized, no one here besides Vad and me understood what we were to each other. “I can’t feel my wolf, but there’s something even more important than that.”
“And what is that?” Ember pursed her lips, trying to fight back her frustration with me.
“He’s my mate,” I said sharply. “I won’t abandon him. What would you do if it was Ryker?”
Ember inhaled and looked away, shoulders stiffening. For a moment, she didn’t respond.
Ryker’s hands loosened. “Honey, she’s right. I can’t even try to do that to her.”
Many-Greats let out a weary sigh. “As I’ve said before, Briar is every bit as stubborn as you are, Ember. Now do you understand why dragging her back wasn’t an option?”
I squeezed Ember’s hand. “I love you. I love all of you. And I miss Earth more than I can explain. But this… this is my home now. Vad is my family. And if there’s any chance of getting him back, I have to take it.”
Ember's expression cracked, her eyes shining. “Briar, I… I didn’t know. I mean, Iknewhe was important, but not?—”
“No one does,” I said gently. “Not really. They don’t have fated mates here.”
