Winston POV
It has been a week since Macy disappeared into the Human Realm and Cassian fell. I don't know how long it has been for Macy. It could be years or months. The way time moves between the realms isn't always measurable. Every morning, I wake up and check the symbols on my arms. It is the only way for me to know she is still alive, and the bond between us still exists.
Things in the Immortal Realm are settling into a new normal. Edward and I help Nyx set up housing for those who need it, and construction on the new palace has begun. Those who wished Nyx ill will have seen she was blinded by love and betrayed by Cassian. Now they pity her, which I think she hates worse than their dislike. She avoids everyone unless we need her.
"Who has the power to open the portal?" Edward asks for the thousandth time.
I slam my head against the table. We have been over this time and time again. Only the King or Queen of the realm holds that ability. We might be Macy's mates, but she was not yet the Queen, even though many saw her as such. The laws of magic are complicated but precise. There is no way around it.
Nyx presses her fingers to her temples. She is tired of hiding her frustration. "Cassian."
"Then make him open it," Gracus growls.
"We have tried everything," Edward groans. "He knows we won't kill him because we need him to open the portal, and he is using it against us."
Nyx clears her throat. "There is one thing we haven't tried."
"Do tell," Edward responds sarcastically.
"We could kill him," she replies simply.
I pull my head off the table and look at her. I expect her to be joking, but her eyes have no humor. She is serious. No one is speaking. I have questions. A thousand of them. Not being able to speak is getting frustrating, and no one brings pen and paper to these fucking meetings.
I elbow Edward in the side and gesture to Nyx, but he doesn't seem to get the hint. I really wish someone could read my mind.
"What happens if we kill Cassian?" Gracus asks.
"The crown passes to Macy," Nyx shrugs. "She should be able to open the portal from her side."
"How will she know she can open the portal?" Edward asks.
"We will have to trust her," she sighs.
I press my forehead on the table again. I am not sure this is a risk I am willing to take. What if killing Cassian keeps us from Macy forever? I can't imagine living without her.
"I don't like this idea," Gracus replies. "Macy is important. The Immortal Realm needs a ruler."
"Cassian isn't ruling anything right now anyway," Nyx reminds us. "The twins have it covered."
I turn my head on the table and smile at Nyx, but Edward doesn't seem to be as confident. He holds up his hands and shakes his head. "We don't know anything about the Immortal Realm."
"You have us," Gracus agrees. "I can help you with the Gray Creatures, Nyx can help with the Fae, and I am sure we can find a delegate from the lycans."
I lift my head from the table and nod. I think we can handle it until Macy returns. Especially if we have help. Edward looks at me with fear in his eyes, but I press my hand to his chest. It is something we have always done as a child. It means, "What we do, we do together."
"This is different," Edward replies to my unspoken words. "We understand the Human Realm and werewolves."
"It will be okay," Nyx assures him. "We will be here to help you along the way."
Edward sighs and leans back in his seat. "Who is going to do it?"
"Me!" Gracus jumps to his feet. "I get to kill Cassian."
I expect Nyx to argue, but she simply excuses herself from the table. I have seen enough women rush from a room crying to know that is what she is doing. Someone should go after her, but Edward and Gracus are already heading to where Cassian is being held.
As much as I want to watch the life drain from Cassian's eyes, someone should be with Nyx while he dies. I go in search of her and find her sitting under a large tree in front of the palace ruins.
When she sees me, she wipes the tears from her cheeks and smiles. "Did you not want to enjoy the show?"
I shake my head and sit beside her. She rests her head on her knees and looks in the direction of his cell. "I was a fool," she whispers. "I should have known he was using me."
I put my arm around her and tug her close. She whimpers a little at my touch but doesn't push me away.
"I have had so many mates over the years, I should have seen the difference," she continues. "He hid his hatred for me so well. Too well."
Suddenly, she jumps to her feet and storms toward the cell. I run after her. She kicks open the door to the cell and pushes Gracus away. At first, I think she is going to save him, but then I see the glint of a knife in her hand.
"Nyx," Cassian sounds relieved. "They said you gave the green light to kill me. I knew they were lying."
She doesn't say a word as she approaches him. Cassian's eyes are fixated on her face, and he doesn't see the knife. He extends his arms to embrace her, and she sinks the knife into his heart and twists.
A strangled gasp leaves his lips when she steps away. "There," she spits at him. "Now we are even. A tortured heart for a tortured heart."
Leaving the knife in his chest, she turns and walks out of the cell, leaving us all stunned.
"That was brutal," Edward whispers.
"It was perfect," Gracus laughs. "I was hoping she would barge in and do it."
Cassian is still looking at the knife, and he pulls it from his chest. His body sinks to the ground, and he is dead. Macy is officially the Queen of the Immortal Realm. Now, she just needs to find her way home.