Page 93 of Fate Unchained

Hazel scowled at him. “It means there is possibly a vulk with Morana’s blood—with Herskala’s blood, too—alive.”

Zann shook his head. “That happened centuries ago. Most likely the child died.”

Ayren jerked his head at Blazh. “He has magic.”

Blazh’s lips rose, baring his eyeteeth. “Bugger off, I know exactly where my magic comes from. It comes from my mother, and I know she’s my real mother because she reminds me every year on my birthday exactly how many hours she was in labor and how I was an extremely large baby.” He glanced at Hans. “And yes, I’ve always continued to go back home, even before you changed the rule last year.”

Hans smiled and it was like Lilah could see the real him for the first time. This had to be the Hans Briony saw—the Hans who was a mate, and a father. “I’m not sure the vulk ever really followed that rule, anyway,” Hans said.

Lilah stiffened, and a chill chased down her spine. “Her child may not have survived, but the Herskala bloodline still exists.” She took a deep breath. “I’m related to Morana. Distantly but still, we’re related.” Lilah glanced up at Kyril. “She wanted me to join her.”

He nodded. “We suspected that’s why she took you.”

“Morana told me I could take the rune for myself.” She stared down at the ground. “I thought about it. I could have the kind of power that is respected in Coromesto, fix my debt, and never have anyone bother me again.”

Kyril put a finger under her chin, and tilted her head back up to his. His gaze was intent on hers. “But you didn’t. You chose not to. Maybe you have a shared ancestor, but you’re nothing like her, because you’re you. No matter what Morana said to you, or what she tried to do, you never would have joined her. And you never would have taken the rune for yourself.”

Her heart squeezed, and warmth flooded through the bond in her chest. He truly believed in her. Her throat got tight. Heavens above she loved him.

She clutched him tight. “Haven’t you felt it? The real power is when we’re together. And it’s not about what I can do with runes. It’s not about our rune at all.” She put her hand on his chest. “I felt you when I was with Morana, even when I didn’t have a rune. You’re in my heart. You were there from the moment I met you.”

Except for Hans, the other vulk looked away as if uncomfortable, but Hans looked directly at her, and she swore he might have winked.

Kyril let out a soft purr and pulled her into a hug. His lips went to her ear. “Yes lalee, I feel it. I feel it every time you touch me.”

They were lost in each other for a long moment, Lilah basking in the way her bond throbbed with the feel of him—of their connection—until there was a cough behind her. She turned and Kyril wrapped his arms around her, so her back was against his front.

Zann looked at Lilah. “Can we go back to how Morana disappeared? What happened in the enchantment?”

Lilah shivered, and Kyril tightened his arms around her. “Morana tried to use her magic, but it blasted back at her. It knocked her out of the memory entirely, but I don’t know why she didn’t return to Herskala Hall.” She pictured the way the memory had formed around them. “The edges were kind of blurry, and when I tried to walk out of them earlier, I couldn’t. But Morana just disappeared.” She waved her hand. “She was gone.”

“What do you think?” Zann asked, turning to Hazel.

Interesting that Zann always went to Hazel as the expert. Did Hazel realize it? She was so hung up on not being a sorcerer, that Lilah didn’t think she recognized how well respected her expertise was, even by someone who supposedly detested her. Although, Lilah was really questioning Zann’s true feelings about Hazel.

“I’ll need to research this.” Hazel sighed. “I’ve never heard of anything like this before.”

Blazh growled. “So, we’ve lost the enchanter again and we’re no closer to the Dark Cabal.”

Kyril said, “Boris was a member of the Dark Cabal, and he was double crossing them. He stole the grimoire, or somehow tricked them to get it, but you’re right. We don’t know much else.”

“Then we’re back to hunting. We’ll find the Dark Cabal and we’ll find Morana.” Hans put his arm around Briony. “But I think it’s time to go home first. We can fill in the rest of the pack, and make a plan.”

“Yes, it’s time to go home.” Briony leaned into him.

Hans turned to Kyril. “You coming back to the pack den with us? I need you, but if you want some alone time first—” he shrugged— “I can make it work.”

Kyril put his lips to her ear. “I think we should join them. That all right for you?”

“Of course.” Despite the exhaustion leaching into her, making her slowly lean more and more against Kyril, a churn of excitement bubbled in her chest. She’d get to see the pack den.

Kyril responded to Hans in Vulk, and Hans nodded. “Let’s go.”

“Is that my cue to call a portal?” Hazel crossed her arms.

“What are you complaining about?” Zann asked. “It’s not like you want to stick around Coromesto. You hate it here.”

She glowered at him but didn’t say anything, only pulled a crystal out of her robes.

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