I opened the bedroom to find Toni right behind it. Dex was sulking on the couch. He seemed depressed and it tugged at my heart to see him that way. Before I could ask him what was wrong, Toni pulled me into his arm. I froze for just a moment before letting myself relax into his hold. He wasn't in control when he slept with Nina. He didn't even know about it. No wonder he was so confused about it last night. It wasn't an act, he really didn't know. I would be a hypocrite if I can't forgive him after what's happened with Dex and I. "Well, do we need to flee? Did you start a war?" Dex mused from the couch. I pulled back from Toni's embrace. I met Dex's sad eyes with a sad smile. He had helped me last night. He had seen me in the worst pain of my life and I know it affected him. I feel a tightness in my chest when I think about it now. "No war. She's still alive, and I got this." I held both glass bottles up. "Turns out she was being inhibited by a low level demon. I was going to kick
We finally made it back to the kingdom. I was going to send Dex home, but he was looking around the kingdom with such curiosity. I couldn't send him back when I saw his amazement. It was really adorable, like a child. "Come on, we need to give these to my mom." I held up the siren song and the queen's fairy dust. "Let's not mention the aftermath of the siren song, okay?" I didn't feel like getting in trouble. I also didn't feel like getting an hour-long lecture. I didn't want mom trying to come up with fixes either or having to worry any more than she already has to. "Why? She might be able to find a way to remove the siren mark." Toni seemed upset that I didn't want to tell her. "She doesn't need to worry about that right now. I'll tell her after we get Ash back." I cupped his face in my hand, comfortingly. I didn't want him to think that I was choosing to keep the mark. I could see from the corner of my eye that Dex's head fell slightly. Was he sad? I'll get rid of the mark as
The fairy dust had me feeling odd for the past hour. I had put some magic in it, like mom said. I had Toni blow some on me and then I blew some on him. I figure we would both need it. Nothing had seemed to happen though. My skin has just felt odd and prickly since. I am not sure what I was expecting to happen, but I guess I just assumed everything would be fine. Nothing feels different though. My heart still hurts, it still feels betrayed. Can fairy dust not fix this? "Anything?" Toni asked again. He's desperate for this to work too. I shook my head, causing him to sigh and hang his head. "I'm so sorry, Ember." He was hurting just like me. He doesn't even remember any of it, but he knows it hurt me. He knows that I am having a hard time letting it go, and it's killing him. I wish I could convince my heart to forgive and forget it all. It really wasn't his fault. "I'm sorry too. I know it wasn't you. I know you were being controlled. It just hurt so much." I let out a long breath.
Toni and I had gotten dressed and laid in my bed cuddled together. I passed out quickly, my head resting on his chest. I felt warm and whole again, but utterly exhausted. I felt like I could finally rest, and so I did. I am not sure what time it was when I felt my shoulder being shaken awake. I opened my eyes to find Toni still asleep under me. I turned to see whose hands were on my shoulder. Dex held a finger against his lips, telling me to keep quiet. He motioned his head for me to follow. I very begrudgingly got off the bed, and the warmth of Toni. I was careful not to wake him. I followed Dex out of the room into the hall. "I think you forgot something." Dex whispered pointing, not very obviously, behind him. I furrowed my brows until I noticed Eric down the hall. Seems I'm still a shit sister. "Oh my God!" I whispered. "I can't believe I fell asleep." Dex grabbed my hand, sending a tingle through me. "Don't worry. I told him you probably just passed out. He laughed saying i
Eric and I played for a while longer before my phone dinged again. Dex: She's here. Hurry down. Dex: She's a cougar. Save me!I couldn't help but laugh out loud at the last text, causing Toni to arch a brow at me suspiciously. I just shook my head at him, telling him it's nothing. "You ready? Kaitlyn is here." I finally spoke. Toni got up from his secluded spot. He never once made an effort to play or speak to Eric. It hurt that he didn't. I don't think he realizes how much my brothers mean to me sometimes. "Yeah, let's go." He shook his bottom off as he spoke. "I love you, bud. I gotta get going. I'm going to bring Ash back to us. I promise." I gave Eric a big hug before leaving his room. Toni and I walked silently down the hall. I didn't hold his hand. I'm a little upset at him for the way he acted with Eric. Toni's been changing a lot here lately and I don't like it. Not one bit."Ember, I think you need to distance yourself from Dex. He's getting too involved with your fami
"I've called all of our friends. No one has seen him." Eryn let us know. "I've called around to other packs and none of them have seen or heard of a new wolf in their territories. They'll keep an eye out for him though." Charles added, placing his large hand on mom's baby bump. "I've called all my contacts and all favors that are due. He was in New York a few days ago, but he checked out already. He was with a group of girls, but none of them said where they were going next." Dad could always be trusted to find out information. He had the largest network of people. All kinds of people, all kinds of species. "That's a start. He always said he wanted to see New York one day." Mom nodded her head. She was thinking hard, biting on the side of her thumb. "How do we find him now? Is there a location spell or something?" I looked at Kaitlyn when I said that. "I tried. He's blocking his presence and keeping himself hidden. Your brother has a lot of magic. A lot of strong magic that I can
"He's really not going to wake up, is he?" Dex said, poking Eric's cheek again. He was astonished by how hard of a sleeper Eric is. "Yeah. Once he's out, he's out." I laughed. "Listen Dex." I paused fidgeting with my fingers. "I'm really sorry I doubted you. I should have known you wouldn't manipulate Eric. He just got so attached so fast. It was stupid of me. Please forgive me." I looked him dead in the eyes letting him know how much I trusted him right now. He stared back at me for a moment. His eyes were intense and at first I wasn't sure what he was going to do. He sighed and looked away. "Yeah. Okay. I forgive you Ember, but on one condition." He had that stupid smirk on his face again. He was back to his flirtatious self now. "Give me a kiss right here." He pointed to his cheek. I gave him a 'you're kidding me' face. I shook my head no. "No way." I whispered to him. "Oh well guess you'll have to live without my forgiveness." He shrugged his shoulders leaning back on the he
We had made it back to the palace without anyone knowing we left. At least that's what I thought until I made it to my room and Toni opened his door. "Why were you with him again? Where were you?" Toni all, but yelled at me. His eyes were that cool silver and my heart froze. "We can find Ash now. Dex took me to see a man who could help." I explained calmly. I was hoping Toni would calm down with that. He growled instead. "What man?" He didn't believe me. "His name is Jaime. His some siren guy." "He took you to see Jaime?" It seems Toni knows that is. "He's fucking dangerous. Ember, what did you give him?" "Nothing bad. Just something he wanted from Lien." He stepped forward, but I took a step back. His eyes hadn't returned to normal and his voice was sounding less like himself. "Toni, let's talk about this in the morning." I wanted him to calm down. I started to go into my room. Before I could close the door fully, Toni pushed it open. He came into my room and his eyes roamed