“I love you both,” Keegan murmured, closing his arms around Brynn and Aegin. “So, so much.”
“I know,” she answered tremulously. “I love you too. Be safe.”
Brynn and Keegan had decided she would remain behind while the rest of them attacked. The battlefield was no place for a baby, and Keegan would fight much better knowing he didn’t have to worry about protecting them. Still, she’d insisted on remaining close by, so she could keep an eye on the battle and direct her zombies if necessary. While they clearly didn’t need to be within earshot to respond to her commands, she’d never tested her range of control. And although Bram was clearly itching to join in the fight, he’d agreed to remain behind to protect Brynn and Aegin.
Dagan could only hope that if the unthinkable happened, if they all fell, Bram would help Brynn and Aegin safely escape. As long as some small part of their family remained alive, then any sacrifice they had to make would be worthwhile.
When Taeg moved forward to envelop Brynn and Aegin in a quick hug, Dagan followed his cue. “Take care of yourself.”
“You too,” Brynn whispered, tears spilling down her cheeks.
Much as he felt like crying himself, knowing that the two of them remained behind lent Dagan strength. Through Aegin, part of them would go on living…and the knowledge of that was reassuring in a way he could never have imagined before the little guy came along.
“Ready?” Keegan asked. He drew the sword strapped to his back—Excalibur—and started through the brush.
“Stick together,” Tenos called out to them. “I can weave a spell of protection around us, but I don’t know how long it’ll last or how effective it’ll be against a fae of his power.”
Dagan let go of Lina’s hand to snatch the sword at his own back. Though it had been awhile, he’d been pretty decent at swordplay back in his Infernum days, where there had been no guns to wield. Swords worked better anyway, since the only surefire way to kill demons was by beheading—and hell, that worked for all other paranormals too.
“Stay by my side,” Lina said as she reached into her dagger holster and palmed two wicked-looking daggers.
Damn, but he loved the warrior-chick look on her—a perfect match to her take-charge attitude.
Shooting her a grin, he said, “Hey, that’s my line.”
She snorted, but didn’t respond as she drew her attention straight ahead, to what awaited them on the other side of the forest.
They spread out at the edge of the forest but stayed close together, the entire group forming one defensive line.
Without warning, Lina turned to him, her eyes shining with depth and ferocity. “In case we don’t come out of this one alive, I need you to know…I love you, Dagan.”
His heart stopped for one spellbinding moment.
“I tried not to,” she continued in a rush, “but it was hopeless from the very beginning, I think. You…honestly, you’re perfect.”
“I…” The world around them fell away. Ronin, the battle, none of that seemed important right now. Overwhelming gratitude warmed his heart, propelling him forward. He crushed her against him with his free hand, pressing his lips to hers in a long, heated kiss that could have gone on forever. It was over far too quickly, though.
Resting his forehead against hers, he whispered the words he’d longed to say for what had seemed like eternity. “I love you too, Lina.”
Before he could say anything else, Keegan gave the cue to proceed. After one last lingering look at Lina, Dagan pulled away and focused on the goal.
Together, they tromped through the final bit of forest and onto the edge of the castle grounds.
“Oh, shit.” Dagan stopped cold.
Right there in the middle of the castle grounds was a circle of twelve men. In the center stood a tall, dark-haired fae wearing long, black robes. His arms were stretched out to the sky, and fierce currents of electricity wound through and around him.
That wasn’t the worst part about it, though. Across from the circle stood a line of shimmering, translucent beings. Though he didn’t recognize their faces, he caught a glimpse of their eyes as the figures spun around, apparently trying to piece together what the hell was going on.
Those eyes were so damn familiar.
Council members.
“Oh, shit,” Lina whispered beside him.
They were too late. Belpheg had cast the circle.
Dagan’s gaze rested on their newly-discovered brother, Rage, who stood beside the circle, looking as if he didn’t have a care in the world.
As useless as we expected. Not that it stopped the sharp pang of disappointment in his chest.
Despite their efforts, Belpheg had formed his circle, and the Council members faced imminent death.