Forever (An Unfortunate Fairy Tale 5)

The sprite who had once divided the prince waved her hand in front of Jared, and he became corporeal in front of Mina.

“Oh, Mina.” He hugged her to him.

She took a deep breath and let the scent of Jared roll over her while the streets around them rumbled with dangerous activity.

“I never thought I would get to hold you again. I’m sorry for not telling you how I felt sooner… and for all the things that the poison of that hate blade did to me—to us. It lied and used our deepest insecurities against us.”

“But the omen and my mother? You said you sent it, or Teague said that. I’m not sure what to believe anymore.” She buried her head against his shoulder and felt him nuzzle the top of her head.

“No, that was a lie. I control the Fae Reapers, but the Death Reaper or omen is controlled by the one who has the bone whistle.

“Annalora.”

“I believe so.”

“How do we stop this?” Mina had been so wrapped up in her own near death and Teague’s sacrifice and Jared’s presence that she hadn’t thought about the battle for a while. But it raged around them still. Annalora’s gnome army was here.

“I don’t know.” He grimaced and flickered.

Mina looked to Taz in alarm. “What’s happening?”

“His soul can’t survive like this for long,” she answered simply. “You destroyed his body beyond repair. I just saved a bit of his soul for you. I thought you’d be grateful.”

“No, I am. I just don’t want to lose him.”

“Then don’t,” she challenged, as if it were nothing. “Do something about it.”

“I don’t know how. I can’t lose them both.”

“It’s okay, Mina.” The corner of Jared’s mouth lifted, showing off his unbelievable grin. “You can let me go. I’m ready to leave.”

Helicopters thwacked and thundered overhead.

“I can’t let you go. Not now, not ever.”

“You don’t have to. I already told you, I will live on in here.” He pointed to her heart.

“So that wasn’t a dream?”

“No, we wouldn’t let you give up on yourself.”

“Then I’m not giving up on you. What can I do? I’m so sorry I caused all this in the first place, but I love you. I will fight for you.”

Jared pressed his forehead to hers. “I know, but there’s nothing I can do. It’s Taz’s power that’s sustaining me now.”

“The Grimoire!”

Mina reached into her bag and pulled out the Grimoire. “Taz split you before and bound your soul to a book. What if we did it again? What if we anchored your soul again?” He flickered, and urgency made her heart pound.

“To anchor my soul is to bind me eternally to you. And I can’t do that, Mina. As much as I love you, I can never be a slave to another’s whims again. Even if it’s a very pretty whim.” He kissed her nose sadly. “I don’t want to be enslaved.”

She pushed him away. “Why are you being so selfish? Why can’t you think of anyone but yourself?” she yelled, instantly regretting her words. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

Taz Clara spoke. “We have a problem.” She pointed to the tanks that rumbled past them.

Mina looked to Jared. Even as he flickered, his determination solidified. He nodded, and they began to run down the road after the tank. They were surprised when they met up with another Fae along the way. The young man had pointed ears and the bluest of blue eyes. He pulled a small sack of powder out of an ammo bag and tossed it on the tank’s wheels, turning them to cement.