Page 155 of Lethal Souls

I walk over, helping Willow to a stand. She clutches the urn as we make our way to the shoreline.

She sniffles as she removes the lid of the urn. Her pain runs through me, tugging at every single heartstring. I remain strong for her, kissing her temple, whispering that it’ll be okay. That she can do this.

Finally, she walks ankle deep into the water, tilts the urn, and dumps Warren’s ashes. The gray dust swirls with the foam, slowly drifting away.

With a shuddering breath, Willow faces me, eyes filled with tears. Then she peers over my shoulder, and her mouth parts.

“Danica?” she breathes, sloshing through the water to run past me.

She drops to her knees next to Danica.

But Danica’s eyes are closing.

Her last breath slips out as a soft sigh.

“No,” Willow whimpers, dropping her head to Danica’s chest.

“Damn it,” I mutter.

Willow’s emotions nearly overpower mine, but I do my best to control them. It’s hard though. It seems now that we contain Regal energy, our Tether is stronger than ever. Our bond has amplified, so what she feels, I feel it just as much.

I drop to my knees next to her as she lifts her head and places a kiss on Danica’s cheek.

I lay a hand to Danica’s chest. Only a whisper of a heartbeat remains, and it’s fading quickly. Her memories flood through me just like Selah’s did.

Her bleak childhood. The grief of losing her mother and seeking vengeance by killing her father.

The happiness she felt when she met Warren. The laughs and giggles only he could conjure from her. The joy she had sparring and practicing with her beloved katana.

Her pain and heartbreak when she lost her mate.

Her final moments of satisfaction—of peace—as she watched Willow pour his ashes.

I press my lips, but that doesn’t stop my tears from falling. The ache in my chest has doubled. I take my hand away just as Willow draws in a deep breath.

“Come here,” I whisper to Willow, spreading my arms open for her.

She falls right into them, sobbing hard into my chest.

So much pain.

So much loss.

So much hurt.

I hold her tight, allowing her grief to course through me too.

Because I’ve got her. No matter what kind of struggle she faces, I’ll never let her go through any of it alone.

NINETY-FIVE

WILLOW

The following morning, I’m standing next to Caz with Silvera and Cerberus at our sides, watching as a steel ship nears the shore.

The black sails flap with the salty ocean breeze, and the mechanics within groan when it comes to a complete stop.

The Kessel tribe is lined up with all their things packed. Children are eager to board the boat, bouncing next to their mothers. I look at them all, wishing Danica was amongst them.