He dragged his hand through his hair and pointed to the door where they entered the night of the party.

Where they wanted to escape the crowd, Bethan thought it to be so reminiscent of how they first met in the museum when she entered that exhibit to hide from Tharin and found Kellan there. As if he was waiting for her.

The room was the same, except there was no dead body that belonged to one of her tormentors. She wondered why Elnora even bothered to step in that night. Why save Kellan when he was a hindrance to her family’s plan? Was it Sam?

The herringbone floors turned to marble. The glass vase still sat on that table, used as the centrepiece for the entire room. Kell’s green eyes darted to the cabinet in the corner. They raced toward it. Books weren’t the only thing inside the glass; there were strange ornaments and a small statue of the Trine. Bethan noticed that the Maiden’s crown was broken off. The cabinet was filled with books; it would take her ages to find the book. If it was even there. Something pulled at her like she was attached to a tether. She looked toward the books, her eyes raking over every single one until her eyes fell on a golden spine.

Kellan undid the latch on the side of the cabinet.

She reached for it.

And there it was. She held it in her hands.

The First Grimoire.

With his gaze on her; she squeezed the book to make sure it was real, that it was the very thing they had been working towards since autumn. And that is when it all ended for them both.

Kellan had to return home and be a prince for a court, he doesn’t want to be part of. But she would be happy to know that waiting there for him would be his father. That he could possibly have a family that he deserves. Someone to love him completely and unconditionally.

He faced her; his eyes wild as ever. She wondered if he could hear her thoughts, or he just knew her that well.

‘You need to know something.’ His velvet voice returned, soothing her jittering nerves. ‘I can see it in your eyes. I’m not leaving you.’

Bethan braced herself.

‘I gave it up,’ he said. Bethan wasn’t sure she was breathing. ‘I gave it all up, my family, my court. That life wasn’t made for me. And it never will be. I told you I’m in this for real. I’m not going back to Zakros. I’m staying here. You brought me a new family, and I will fight for it. I’m going to fight for you.’

She had a lump in her throat.

Her knees buckled, his eyes wide and frantic, awaiting her response.

‘I don’t know what to say back to you,’ she said. His expression softened.