MIRANDA'S POVThe journey back was easier than the hellish trek to Mystic Mountain, and for once nobody was bleeding, limping, or carrying anybody on their back. The air felt lighter too, almost like it was relieved to be rid of us, and honestly I couldn't blame it. We were a chaotic little parade, and Valko was leading it with the grace of a drunk toddler."I still can't believe I kissed a damn fish-bitch," Valko groaned for what had to be the ninth or fourteenth time. He spat into the bushes again and wiped his tongue on his sleeve as if he expected scales to come off. "My tongue feels traumatized. I'm gonna need to shove my whole head in a washing machine and let it spin with my tongue hanging out.""You didn't have to kiss her," Lazarus reminded him, lifting a brow in that gentle, refined way he did everything. "Opal said the Glowpearl was hers to give. All you had to do was announce you were collecting her debt. You didn't need to—what did humans call it?—bring the French kiss in
Last Updated : 2025-12-12 Read more