We owed everything to him, and we didn't even realize it.
As the three spirits descended upon Animus like a pack of vultures, I was wrenched out of the memory.
I gasped as the real world manifested around me. My palms were clammy and I breathed hard. It felt like waking up from a terrible nightmare, but it was all real.
No point in forcing you to watch the rest when you already know what happens,Animus said telepathically to me in a sombre tone.
Incensed, I got to my feet and glared at the harpy hovering across from my fated mate. The other spirits ganged up on Animus, but Mistral had orchestrated the whole thing. It washisidea to steal Animus's magic.
I suddenly understood why the air spirit was so terrified of Animus. He never expected him to return. Mistral had assumed with his magic gone, Animus would lie dormant forever. He didn't realize my mate bided his time, waiting for the perfect moment to reappear with a vengeance. Not only did Animus's existence frighten Mistral after what he'd done to him, but Animus had slowly regained his magic thanks to the prominence of fated mates in my family. It was a perfect storm.
The harpy glared viciously at Animus. Mistral's body changed. Now he resembled the ancient version of himself I'd seen in the memory—sharper and scarier. He didn't look meek and pathetic anymore.
Even though Animus was capable of fighting his own battle, I wouldn’t let him do it alone. I'd stand by his side.
"I know the magic you're wielding isn't yours. It doesn't make sense that you've gained so much power so quickly," Mistral hissed. "Tell me where it came from. It belongs to those mortals you're always chasing around, doesn't it?" He spat in anger. "I'll never know why they fawn over you."
Animus said nothing. He was usually quick with snarky comments, but right now, he held his tongue. He did what he’d practised for thousands of years—he waited, and listened.
As I did the same on the sidelines, I realized something. There was one crucial truth that Mistral overlooked. He was too narrow-minded and condescending to see what was right in front of him.
He didn't realize Animus and I were fated mates. That's where the sudden burst of magic originated. It came from within Animus himself.
Mistral let out a frustrated squawk when Animus didn't reply. "Answer me!"
"Why?" Animus asked. His voice as a phoenix was smooth and elegant. "You've never cared about anything I've had to say."
Fire swirled around Animus like a protective barrier. But Mistral's wings sagged and the whirlwind died down. He looked tired. His appearance, which had briefly taken on its old intimidating edge, was back to normal, as if he couldn't muster the energy to maintain it. Comparing the two aerial spirits, it was clear which one was stronger.
Mistral scowled. "You're right. I don't."
The harpy's gaze flicked to me, as if he just remembered I existed. In a flash of blue, Mistral darted towards me with his talons out. My hare soul instantly went on high alert. I shifted in the blink of an eye and launched myself out of his range.
But Mistral was faster. The gust of wind he'd summoned behind him gave him the speed he needed to catch me. His talons squeezed around my midsection. My heart raced with panic. It was a hare's worst nightmare—being clutched in the talons of a predator.
Then the world blazed red and white. Heat surrounded me. A shrieking cry split the air like a thunder crack.
In the chaos, I didn't know what happened. My body was flung into the air for a second before something caught me. It was another set of talons, but these ones were gentle and protective. I blinked my eyes open. The claws that curled carefully around me were matte black, and they pressed me against a wall of feathery warmth with a familiar heartbeat.
Even if he was in a different form, I'd recognize Animus anywhere.
"Leveret," Animus said. "Are you all right?"
"Yes."
"Good." Animus's weight shifted as he crushed Mistral's midsection into the dirt with his other set of talons. "Now mybrotherwill pay for attempting to hurt you."
Mistral choked. "Ack—stop! I wasn't going to—"
"I've heard enough out of you for a million lifetimes," Animus growled. "If it wasn't bad enough that you turned all the spirits against me, stole my magic and forced me into dormancy... now you’ve threatened the most precious person in the world to me."
Animus's chest heated up. I experienced it as a pleasant warmth, like sitting by the fire, but I saw the scorching embers that fell off his wings and sizzled on the ground. I realized he purposely avoided harming me.
Mistral wheezed beneath Animus's claws. "It's not possible... We drained your magic, but now you're stronger than you ever were."
"That's because Animus found his fated mate," I explained.
"What?" Mistral wheezed.