My heart skippeda beat as we materialized in the middle of a rose garden—one I had created a month before I bit Aflora.
I’d promised myself then that I wouldn’t come back here until she was ready.
And I hoped now that I’d made the right choice. Because I couldn’t imagine a better time.
Zakkai frowned as he wandered to the edge of the garden to look over the cliff into the ocean, his white brow arching upward as he glanced back at me. “California?” he guessed.
I nodded.
“Why California?” Kols asked, his eyes on the bright blue sky overhead. “This isn’t Death Blood territory.”
“No. But the future Fortune Fae Alpha of this region is a friend.” Assuming he got his shit in order and followed his right path. Unfortunately, his mother’s death might alter it. In addition to a dozen other obstacles. But I had faith he’d work it out. In time.
“Seif?” Kols guessed, aware of my friendship with the Death Blood who had recently turned into a Fortune Fae Alpha.
“Yes.”
He stared at me for a moment, a question lingering in his mind about how I knew this would eventually be Seif’s territory. But rather than voice it, he just went back to admiring the sky. Does he know about Anrika yet? he asked softly.
Grandfather Kodiak said he was handling it. I would have done it myself, but with everything else going on, there hadn’t been time. He’s making sure Seif receives Anrika’s death message, too. Because she’d cast a charm above her body, the message of it meant for Seif. I didn’t know what it said, nor did I want to know. Some things weren’t my story to tell.
“This is beautiful,” Aflora whispered, her fingers traveling over the rose bushes and causing the flowers to bloom. She knelt to touch the soil, excitement radiating off her as she began studying all the life around her.
This was why I’d chosen this home.
It went on for acres along the cliffs, the expensive property front private and stunning and perfect for a little garden nymph to run around and play.
She seemed to sense that purpose now as she giggled and began to frolic through the garden to the bed of trees beyond. There was a pool somewhere, too. But I doubted that was her intended destination.
Zeph followed her with a predatory grin, something I felt Kols responding physically to through our bond.
Zakkai seemed content to admire the sea, his nostrils flaring as the ocean breeze tousled his thick white hair.
“My mother used to love the ocean,” he told me as Kols followed Zeph in pursuit of Aflora. “I remember her always wanting to make sandcastles with me as a child.” His lips curled with the memories. “Aflora and I used to make them, too. But out of dirt in the Elemental Fae realm. I wonder if she remembers?”
“I’m sure she does,” I said quietly.
He dipped his chin, then sighed. “This is a beautiful home, Shadow. I suppose all those trips through time allowed you to gamble a little with human currency?”
I merely stared at him, not inclined to give anything away.
“Don’t suppose you stopped by a casino in the region? Perhaps one in the Vegas area?”
“Why would I do that?” I countered, neither confirming nor denying the obvious guess.
“Why, indeed.” He slid his hands into his black slacks and looked out at the ocean again. “How many times do you think Tadmir has taken all of us back in total?”
“Too many to count,” I answered honestly.
He nodded. “My thoughts exactly.” Then he smiled, the sight a rare expression of enjoyment in his features. Because it lacked mockery. This was just Zakkai… grinning in content. “We owe you both a great deal of gratitude.”
“You more than them,” I half-joked.
“Yes, I imagine I was quite difficult.”
“Because you knew.” Not a question, but a statement.
“Because I knew,” he admitted. “Just not the extent or particulars of what you were doing, but I could feel it as a result of my ascension.”