Destin POV
I leave the front door of the cabin open. I know Macy will come for me. It will only be a matter of time. Distance is pulling on the mate bond, and it lets me know that Wren made it out of the Immortal Realm. I take comfort in knowing that the twins will be together, even if I spend the rest of my life imprisoned.
Charlie doesn't seem to feel the same way. He is pacing the kitchen floor. Each step of his feet on the floor makes me angry. We were both willing to let her run with the children. Now we will have to face the consequences.
Little does he know, this was all part of a bigger plan. I hate that I had to lie to him and Wren, but with Gracus's ability to read minds, it was the safest choice.
"Maybe we should go after her," he sighs.
"No," I quip. "I am too easily tracked. But you can go after her. Though I am sure Macy has the portal guarded by now. That is a mistake she won't make twice."
Panic rises in his voice. "What if Wren didn't get out?"
"She got out. I can feel it."
He wrinkles his brow in confusion but doesn't respond. His eyes are glued to something over my shoulder.
I can sense her before she speaks. It isn't anger that fills the air; it is sadness and disappointment. Honestly, it makes me chuckle. This would be one of the few times Macy isn't pissed at me.
I spin on my stool and smile at my Fae Queen. "Fancy seeing you here so soon."
"Gods be damned, Destin," Macy groans. "Why?"
"They deserve to be together for as long as possible," I reply. "I am their last family member. I will pay the price for my mate's betrayal."
"We could have worked out something," she whines. "Now, everything will be different."
I throw my head back with laughter. "You weren't willing to work with us. Neither was Nyx nor Gracus. Wren's wolf claimed the children as her own an would not be separated from them. It was our only option."
Macy sinks back against the wall. "I didn't know her wolf had claimed them, but this wasn't the answer."
"Then what was?" I shout. "Make me understand. The portal is protected by warriors on both sides, Macy. The need to close it, is it out of necessity, or hatred?"
"The Human Realm is my home," she begins but I cut her off.
"It is not your home. Not anymore. Now, are you going to arrest me, or will we argue all night about what cannot be changed?"
She throws her hands up in the air. "You were my friend, Destin. I expected more from you."
"And she is my mate."
Her whole body tenses. I lean back in my chair and admire her. She is a wonderful actress. When we worked out this whole plan weeks ago, I was worried she would be able to fake her anger. But the flickering lights are a nice touch.
Pushing off the wall, she looks me up and down. "Do I need to get the guards?"
I rise to my feet. "I will come quietly, but I can't speak for the werewolf. He has a bit of a temper."
Macy's eyes glance at Charlie. "I am not here for him."
Charlie actually frowns like he is disappointed at the thought of not being imprisoned. "Why not?"
"While I think you deserve to hang out in a cell with your best friend until we figure this out, your life is not in my hands. It belongs with the Luna Queen, in the Human Realm."
I conceal my smirk. This is working out better than I hoped. Poor Charlie has no idea, and I know he is going to kick my ass later. But whatever gets him out of the Immortal Realm is fine with me.
"Go," I whisper to him. "Find her and live happily ever after."
He scoffs. "She will never be truly happy unless you are there."
I find myself getting choked up. "Make her happy. Protect her. Protect the twins. Love them. You can do this, Charlie. You have to."
He looks back at Macy. I think he is waiting for her to change her mind, but she remains silent. Finally, he steps forward and wraps his arms around me. "Don't be long." I don't answer him. Escaping from the Fae dungeon will not be easy, but we both know I will try. There isn't even a small chance that I would live the rest of my life without Wren. Not now that I finally have her. Maybe Macy will take pity on me an stage the escape.
When he releases me from his hug, he runs out of the front door, leaving everything behind. I watch him for just a few moments before turning back to Macy. "That was kind."
She shrugs her shoulders. "Do you think we put on a good enough show?"
"We could have told him the truth," I sigh, but Macy holds her hand up.
"The less people know, the better. Gracus is already murderous. He seemed to believe the twins were his to care for. He assumed you would take one and leave for the Human Realm, and he would take the other." Macy peeks out of the door. "He had no idea you would fight to keep them together."
I let out an uneasy breath. "I don't like that you have to be the bad guy."
She shrugs her shoulders and pretends not to care. Being Queen has not been easy on her. Gracus and Nyx ask too much. I try to help out where I can, but Selene has made it next to impossible.
"How will we deal with Gracus?" I ask.
She dangles a pair of iron cuffs in front of my face. "We have to put on a good show."
I cross my arms over my chest. "I will not wear those."
Macy pushes her lip out into her famous pout. "You promised."
"I said I would go quietly. Quietly does not include iron cuffs."
She twirls them on her finger. "They are steel, stupid. Put them on."