The commotion continued. The witches started bickering among themselves, then some wolves commented about not liking having a female for an alpha, and next everyone turned on Keeran, saying he was an aberration and we should get rid of him.

I hadn’t thought leading all the groups would be easy, but I thought that everyone would take a breather before going for each other’s throats again. I was just grateful there were only three races involved. I didn’t want to think how messy it would be if there had been more—especially the fae, who were proud.

Thankfully, I was able to calm everyone down. I told everyone to go home—or stay in case they didn’t have anywhere else to go—and rest for now. We would soon start rebuilding the castle and reorganizing our society. It wouldn’t be easy. It would be stressful, actually, but it would be worth it.

The dining room cleared and I wondered where Thea had gone. She said she would be right back, so I thought she had to go to the bathroom or grab something to drink, but she hadn’t come back. I was about to go look for her when Thomas appeared in front of me.

“Thank you for helping out with Morda earlier,” I said.

Thomas shrugged. “I’ve barely done anything.”

“You were there. That was enough.”

He stared at me and he suddenly looked so small for a sixteen-year-old young man. “I forgive you,” he blurted out. “I wanted you to know that I understand what happened and I forgive you. I still consider you my friend, my older brother.”

My breath caught. “I don’t deserve your forgiveness.”

“Yes, you do, because I know how much guilt you feel. I know you’re a good person, and I know hate when bloodlust wins over you.” He sighed. “Now it’s your turn to forgive yourself.”

This kid … “Thank you.”

Thomas looked down. “I’m leaving.”

It took a moment to sink in. “You’re moving on?”

“Yes.” He returned his eyes to mine. “I couldn’t go before telling you. I knew I would regret it forever if I left without telling you I’d forgiven you. So now I need to go.”

My eyes widened. “Now?”

He nodded. “Yes. Right now.”

I reached for him. Thomas’s hand became less transparent when he grabbed mine. I knew it was hard for him to keep this up for long, but I held on to him as much as I could. I shook his hand with a tight grip.

There was so much I wanted to tell him. Like how I had enjoyed our late night talks, the way he scolded me when I drank too much blood and slept on the floor, or when I came back from a mission stained in blood and dirt and didn’t wash until I had drank a week’s worth of blood. I wanted to tell him I had enjoyed his company and his jokes and his affection. I wanted to tell him I had been blessed for having a little brother like him.

Emotion clogged my throat and all I managed to whisper was, “Thank you.”

A sad smile spread through his lips. “Take care, Drake. Please be good to Thea and your daughter.”

I scoffed. “I will.”

His hand became translucent. Then, the rest of his body joined in, becoming more and more transparent until there was nothing there. I waved my arms in front of me, where he had just been, and didn’t touch anything.

Thomas was really gone. He had moved on. I had to be happy for him as he would finally be in peace with his parents.

“Drake!” Luana rushed back into the room.

The pitch of her voice, the rapid breathing, the speed of her heartbeat. I turned to her. “What is it?”

She stared at me with teary eyes. “It’s Thea.”