Destin POV
Onyx lies on the bed of flowers and straw. The gray pigment has faded from her skin, leaving behind what she should have looked like. My throat grows thick as I look at her. I wish I had known her, but most of all, I wish I had known the price for opening the portal. Gracus steps forward with the torch in his hand, but I stand in his way. "It should be me."
"You don't have to do this," he whispers.
I take the torch from him. "Tradition says it should be her kin who lights the resting bed. I am all she had left."
Gracus's jaw ticks awkwardly, but he doesn't stop me. Stepping forward, I light the bed she rests on. The flame is small at first, but it grows quickly, engulfing her.
My jaw is tight when those around me begin to sing.
"Sleep now among the flames,
where you join the sky.
May the earth remember your name,
And your soul finds its road, undying."
They sing the song in the new tongue and the old, until the flames begin to die down. Several Fae and Gray Creatures offer me their condolences, but I can't take my eyes off the remains of my daughter that I never got to know.
The crowd begins to disperse, but I remain at the ritual site. It feels like I am rooted to the spot, and for a fleeting moment, I consider staying in the Immortal Realm. But that would not be fair to Onyx's memory. She gave her life so I could get back to Wren. Eventually, I will have to leave and go back to my new home and my new mate.
"Destin," Macy whispers. "You should come with us. Gracus and I need to discuss something with you."
"In a moment," I reply, not taking my eyes off the resting bed.
"You can't blame yourself," she tells me.
"Right," I laugh sarcastically. "I begged her to open the portal, and now she is dead. But it's definitely not my fault."
"Destin," Gracus comes to my side. "Onyx left something behind that you need to see."
The flames are almost out, and all that is left of my daughter is ash. I turn away and face Gracus. "Lead the way."
We walk in silence through the forest. None one of us has the strength to fly. When the cabin comes into view, I stop at the edge of the trees.
"I can go in there," I mutter.
"You have to," Macy says. "We can't bring it out here."
There is a look on her face that I cannot read, but it pushes me forward. My heart is racing in my chest as we approach the front door.
Gracus waves his hand and whispers an incantation. The lock clicks open, and the door swings open. My breath hitches in my chest when I step through the door. This cabin has been warded to strip anyone who comes inside of their magic.
"What is she hiding in here?" I gasp.
"Veyra, Coren," Macy calls out. "It is safe."
''
A head pops over the back of the couch, and I stumble back. A Fae child with golden blonde hair and emerald eyes is looking at me. Her head is cocked to the side, and unshed tears are in her eyes. She is afraid.
Suddenly, another head pops up beside her. He has dark hair but the same green eyes. Neither one is a Gray Creature, or maybe the wards in here make them look like Fae. They are probably only five or six years old.
I can't find my voice, and my breath quickens. My vision begins to get hazy. I need to sit down before I fall down. Reaching for the chair at the table, I fall into it and rest my head in my hands.
"Destin," Macy says softly. "We need your help."
I peer through my hands. "Why are they here? Why is this place protected with wards? Why are the wards so strong? What the fuck is going on here?"
The little girl gasps and hides back behind the couch, and I feel guilty for cursing.
"They are the future of the Immortal Realm," Macy says, approaching the couch.
I pinch the bridge of my nose as I come to terms with what I am seeing in front of me. Macy picks up Veyra and holds her close to her chest. My brain is having a hard time processing what I am seeing. Dark gray swirls cover her skin. She might not be a Gray Creature, but I don't think she is Fae either. Coren inches his way around the couch, and his skin is much the same.
"They are Onyx's," I say the quiet part out loud.
Macy nods, and Gracus sits down beside me. "Macy can't have children because of deals that she made with the Moon Goddess. These children are what's left of the Royal Bloodline."
"No," I shake my head. "Onyx said she was the last. That the debt was paid."
"She lied," Macy whispers. "To protect them. If Selene knew they were here, she would come for them."
"Fuck," I grumble again and Veyra hides her head in Macy's neck. "What am I supposed to do?"
"They need you," Gracus answers. "You are the only family they have left."
"What about their father?" I ask. "Surely, he wants them."
"They have no father," Macy tells me. "You are it."
"Wren is dying in the Human Realm," I begin to argue. "I have enough on my plate without adding children to this. We still have to figure out how to save the werewolves from each other."
"Wren lives," Macy smiles. "She woke this morning. Bring her and Charlie here. Raise the children as your own. You owe this to Onyx."
"Damn it, Macy," I hiss. "Wren will never agree to this."
Coren has been slowly getting closer to me and is now standing on the other side of the table. His green eyes are studying me carefully. Edging around the table, he crawls into my lap. "You look like Mommy."
Macy's mouth twists into a smirk. She has won and she knows it. "Gracus will stay with the children until you return."
I run my hands down my face. "And what do we tell Raven?"
"That you are taking Wren on an extended vacation to the Immortal Realm," she shrugs.
"I can't lie," I remind her.
"Then find a way to skirt the truth," Gracus growls.