Page 130 of A Bond So Deadly

“I told you they were adorable,” she says, grinning.

“I found her out here a short time ago,” Raith rumbles. “Figured you’d want to say hello.”

I reward him with my biggest grin.

“I thought you must have transcended after the battle,” I tell Alina, wishing that I could squeeze her in a hug. “Why haven’t you come to see me?”

She avoids my gaze, shifting her attention back to the cubs. “I wanted to watch them one last time,” she murmurs.

It takes a few seconds for her words to register. “One last time?”

Her gaze softens as she peers at me again. “Yeah, and I’ve been avoiding it.”

I don’t like where this conversation is going. “You’re going to transcend, aren’t you?”

She gives me a small smile. “You don’t need me anymore, and I am looking forward to eternal peace, but I guess, I’d gotten used to floating around these lands. I’m going to miss it.” She pauses before adding, “You ready?”

I frown, confused at first, but then the oracle forms in front of me. “Elgen and Tarlaz? What’s happening?”

“You didn’t tell her?” Alina accuses.

“We wanted to avoid the blubbering,” Elgen replies.

“Elgen’s blubbering, that is,” Tarlaz chimes in, and Elgen huffs, but she doesn’t correct him, even though it’s impossible for a soul to physically cry.

My throat tightens. “What? No, you can’t be transcending as well.” I give my mates an imploring look. I’ve let them hear everything in my mind, but they don’t seem surprised.

“Our part is done, child,” Tarlaz responds. “And our power was never meant to stay in this realm indefinitely. We will take it with us to the beyond. It is not safe to leave it here.”

“But can’t you send the power to the beyond, or whatever, but you guys stay?” I don’t care about the power. All I care about is my friends. And when Queen Krosia had stolen them from me, I had missed them terribly.

“That’s not how it works, girl,” Elgen replies.

I think of how quiet they’ve been all day, and now I realize why. Every time I’d brought up the celebration feast, they’d never once commented on looking forward to me describing the food. …Because they knew they wouldn’t be attending.

“But you can’t leave,” I say, my voice quavering. “The shadow realm needs you.”

“No, girl,” Elgen replies. “The shadow realm needs you. Someone to restore the balance. Someone who would act as a guardian, rather than a dictator, and who would finally bring peace. Our part is done, and it’s time we moved on.”

Tears prick my eyes, and Knox squeezes my hand, reminding me that he’s there. My mates are all there for me.

Sniffling, I reluctantly nod. If this is what they want, it would be selfish for me to keep asking them to stay here. “Will I see you again?”

“Perhaps,” Tarlaz says. “But not for a considerably long time.”

A tear escapes down my cheek, and Raith wraps me in his arms.

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of Elgen and Tarlaz until then,” Alina says with a wry grin. “I’m sure they’ll be great company. Though, is it normal for them to keep asking about food? They do realize we don’t need to eat, right?”

I choke on a laugh, more tears streaming down my cheeks.

“There’s nothing wrong with imagining scrumptious delights,” Tarlaz defends.

I keep laughing, and I cling to Raith’s arms.

“Take care of yourselves,” I tell Elgen, Tarlaz, and Alina. “I hope the beyond is incredible.”

“You too, Shay,” Alina replies, glancing at the foxret cubs one last time.