She trilled, then looked over at me, subjecting me to the most manipulative puppy-dog eyes I’d ever seen. I briefly wondered if she’d learned that tactic from my mate. I huffed in amusement, reaching out to scritch her chin. “Yes, you will be missed, little fire creature.” That pleased her greatly as she ruffled her wings before leaping back to the ground and wandering away like a spoiled kitten.

Zadok stepped forward, his eyes wet and red-rimmed, attempting to school the aura of discontent shrouding him. He was hanging back, but Luca didn’t give him the chance to worry about protocol as the boy threw himself at the older Fae and hugged him tight. Zadok wobbled on his feet but recovered quickly, smiling and wrapping his son in his arms. A heartwarming display.

“Send a missive if you need me, and I will be there,” he whispered into Luca’s mane. “Banishment be damned.”

The boy sniffled. “I will.”

“You’ll make a change, I can feel it,” his father expressed with a tone of resolution. His eyes found mine. “Both of you.”

My mate gave him one last squeeze before reluctantly withdrawing, tears welling in his sweet eyes and a wet smile firmly on his lips.

Zadok faced me. “Take care of my son, do you hear?”

I bowed slightly in a show of deference. “I will defend him with everything I have, you can rest assured.”

“I don’t want to say bye ’cause it feels too final,” Luca said, voice wavering. I inched closer to him, hooking an arm around his waist for comfort. He sagged against me, and gripped my shirt as if he desperately needed the purchase. I held him even tighter.

“See you soon works just fine,” Zadok offered, a tear tracking down his gaunt cheek. Flick appeared beside him in an instant, threading their fingers together.

“See you soon… Dad.”

My mate’s bottom lip wobbled, and never one to linger over drawn-out goodbyes, he turned to conjure his magic, crafting the symbols in midair and missing how his father’s tears flowed freely at the endearment. That familiar rush swooped in, goose bumps rising on my skin as an emerald tear opened at our feet. We had discussed beforehand where it would be best to travel to, so I was already aware it led to my office at the club in the human realm.

It was not wise to return to the capital yet, and The Veil was the safest place I knew.