He blinked in surprise. "That's all you have to say?"
"Yes. I'm not judging you. I was only wondering."
Animus laughed, the anxiety dissolving from his face. "You're unbelievable, Leveret."
Meanwhile, our conversation enraged Nautilus. The water behind him roared up like a tidal wave only to crash back down in frustration.
"You—you accept this traitor?" Nautilus demanded.
"How is he a traitor?" I asked simply. "Animus said the magic was originally his."
"And you believe that?"
"I do."
Animus gazed at me like I was his whole world.
The roaring waves slowly calmed as Nautilus came to terms with what I'd said. The fight went out of him. Eventually the water spirit let out a deep sigh.
"Even if that is technically the case... the fault lies with Animus for getting himself into this mess to begin with," Nautilus said quietly.
"What do you mean by that?" I asked.
When the water spirit didn't answer my question, I pressed him for clarification. "So it's true that you were the one who stolehismagic, and he took back what was his."
Animus waved a hand. "To be fair, I was pissed when that happened. The turbulent waters and chaos were an accident. I might've gone a tiny bit overboard with the revenge thing, but hey, anyone would be cranky after waking up from an ancient slumber..."
Nautilus raised a scaly eyebrow. "Thank you for that stunning apology."
Animus faced his brother with a serious expression. "Iamsorry. I didn't mean any harm to the mortals in the area. Only to you. And I think you know why."
The two exchanged a long, silent glance. I didn't understand the hidden meaning of it.
"All right. I accept your apology," Nautilus said slowly after a moment. "In any case, you will not get any magic from me."
My protective feelings flared like a raging fire. "But—"
"Because I sense you do not need it," Nautilus said calmly.
What did he mean by that? I glanced to Animus, expecting him to argue. But he was calm, too. I noticed he hadn't retracted his shadowy wings. The smoky feathers floated in the breeze. His black hair was thicker and shinier. The ghostly aura he had when we first met was gone.
Animus was always beautiful. But now, he seemed to glow.
He smiled in satisfaction as he gazed at his palm. "You're right. I sense it, too."
Nautilus regarded him for a beat before turning to look at me, as if puzzling something out. Nobody spoke. I looked back and forth between them, wondering vaguely if they'd shared a silent conversation.
When I couldn't stand not knowing anymore, I asked, "Sense what?"
Animus chuckled and linked his clawed fingers with mine. "Hold on now, Leveret. Nautilus is busy rearranging his worldview."
"How so?"
"He was unique, and now he isn't anymore."
"Okay, now I'm really confused."
For the first time, Nautilus touched down on the sand. "You two... a mortal shifter and a spirit. You are fated mates."