Page 118 of The Monster's Wife

“As I’ve said, I want nothing to do with you or this realm. My feelings on the matter might change after a few hundred years, but I’m still very bitter and raw about the way things played out.” Her head tilts back, shaking at the ceiling, and Hex immediately pulls her into his arms.

I take that opportunity to latch on to Aryndia and her mates. Time gets slowed down for them as they repeatedly relive Ali’s version of their wedding day and the events that led to her ending up in Haven. Over and over again, I force her agony into their minds. The exhaustion she felt settles into their bones somewhere around the seventh or eighth time. Play scenes consistently enough, and some of the weaker beings will even forget it’s not real. I’m quite tempted, but that may be because I’m spiteful.

“Malice,” Ali says in a slightly exasperated tone. “Don’t torture my sister.”

“Torture,” I scoff, siphoning to her front. It’s bright where she stands, but I’m topped off with more than enough energy to manage the trip several times over. Hex still holds her with his arms wrapped around her from behind, but I hug her from the front. “I’m only allowing them a little insight into what you’ve endured.”

Aryndia gasps, staggering forward. I block my mate. She doesn’t seem interested in rekindling their relationship.

“We had no idea,” Korso says.

“How convenient,” Silence muses. “I’m more disgusted that not one of you came for her in Spring Court after seeing how badly she was injured saving Aryndia’s life. You truly believe you’re worthy of leading your people? That’s not the type of character I’d want in my ruling family. Let that sink in while you’re lying in bed late at night.” He glares, his disdain evident. “I’ve wanted to say that for twenty fucking years. We’d like to be returned to Haven. Now.”

“Please don’t go,” Aryndia sobs.

Ali’s head shakes. “I can’t stay here. I don’t want to.”

Korso clears his throat. “I’ll open a portal.”

“You’ll do well to remember what I’m capable of,” I inform the room.

They hit their knees again, and I soak up the pure terror and horror at what they’re being forced to remember. Beings are so simple. They could avoid this torment by not being shady fuckers.

It’s the Unseelie Court.

It’s practically a self-fulfilling prophecy for most of them.

The portal opens. I’m overly full from feeding from the remaining council members. It makes it easy to wrap up Ali and my packmates. Aryndia reaches for her sister, but my mate’s panic rips through the bond. She’s not emotionally prepared for physical contact with her sister.

“Don’t worry. I’ve got you, kitten.” As I drag us through the open portal, my sweet fae climbs me, and it’s not because of fear. She plants a tender kiss on my lips, and it distracts me so completely that I forget to brace with my shadows.

Luckily, Ali lands on top of me, so I’m able to fully cushion her fall. I groan, praying my spine is intact as Hex and Silence land in a heap on top of Atlas. It’s a mess of bodies and limbs.

“They’re alive,” Arsyn says, leaning over our crumbled tangle of extremities.

“Barely,” Atlas groans. “Get the hell off me, you tubby fuckers.”

Ali snorts, burying her face in my neck, and full-on giggles.

I blow out a breath of pure relief, running my hand over her back.

Thank fuck. She’s clearly not tormented by what her magic did.

ChapterThirty

Aline

It’s absolute chaos as we untangle from each other.

Bane stands a few feet away, comforting the still crying Charity. Veryn looks bored of the entire thing, but he allows his mom to hold him with a hand plastered to his chest as she rocks back and forth. I’m pretty sure I can see the little guy rolling his eyes from here.

Emerson dive bombs me with a hug I am in no way expecting. “Thank you,” she says, cuddling close to my shoulder. “Meena told us you’d handle it. I wanted to believe they’d be okay, but I fully admit, I was panicking.”

“I get it. I’m sorry all of you were involved in my mess.” My hands shake as I give her a squeeze. It makes me more emotional that she doesn’t fear me. Then again, the residents haven’t seen me take a life to restore one. They likely see my magic as purely a gift. I revel in the feeling of comfort it provides as Emerson holds me tight.

“You should have seen her. It was utterly magnificent,” Malice says, wiggling his eyebrows at me.

“Meena told us all about it,” Emerson says.

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