What I told Dagny was true; she changed everything. And not in a way her, I, or the gods themselves could have foreseen. When Abaddon was sundered, and the others and I came to be, it was never my intention to betray the demon lord's wishes. I wanted the same things he did—peace for all in this land, and equality no matter the species. I just so happened to also want to live to see it. I had hoped the years would turn my brothers to my side—that after a few years of independence, they too would realize Abaddon didn’t have to be resurrected in order to take back the throne from Slaine. They would understand we can do it, but only if we do it together.

Then Fenryr had to go and figure out the loophole. That Abaddon’s one true mate—fated by the gods—could be used in place of Abaddon’s heart, and reverse the sundering. But only if she was willing to be absorbed in the process.

“Quite poetic,” I murmur, swirling my finger absentmindedly around the rim of the bottle. “And equally as ironic.”

Due to the nature of the bond, Abaddon's mate should be more than willing to give up her life for his. If Fenryr told Kaebl, he would no doubt seek her out, use her in some demented ritual to resurrect Abaddon. I would not let that happen. Could not, for the same reason I know Abaddon would abhor the idea of his mate being used in such a way.

Love.

A powerful emotion—one I had only dreamed I would get to experience—one that has the potential to unravel all my carefully laid plans, of which some are twenty-one years in the making.

Love.

I felt it before I met her—as if my soul knew she was out there, worlds apart. And now that I’ve found her, the real battle has begun. Because I still haven’t figured out a way to keep her—safe, mine, none of it—and it’s driving me mad.

I take a large gulp of the blue sap in my cup, focusing on the way it burns my tongue and throat, filling my stomach with liquid fire. Still, it won’t dull the agony that being away from her brings. That constant tug, ordering me to go to her. To correct this great wrong. To finish what I started and complete the mating bond once and for all. To have her. To fill her. To consume⁠—

But it’s not time. Not even close.

I sigh, closing my eyes and swallowing the last of the welwig sap. There’s still so much to do. So little time to accomplish it.

I’ve bought us a few hours—maybe a day if I’m lucky—but before long, Slaine’s curiosity with Dagny will turn into something much deadlier. And then all our lives are forfeit.