(Amaia)

Saiph opens his gorgeous eyes and they find me. Love and warmth engulf me in their embrace.

We did it. We brought him back.

The combined relief and endless joy of my mates overflows the bond between us.

Tears seep out of my eyes. I can’t stop staring at my mate, frozen in time.

"Amaia!" He barely whispers. My body moves, my arms wrapping themselves around him.

He is warm irrespective of hard muscles. I help him to sit.

"I have got you," I softly and emotionally say.

His hands find his neck in confusion. "How?" He asks, perplexed and mostly in shock.

"We will explain later. Let’s get you inside." My mates step forward and help their brother up. They embrace him amidst a storm of emotions that flies around us all. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Aziel holds my quivering shoulders and I take a step back, letting them have this moment.

"I am so proud of you," Aziel shakily murmurs. His strong arms are trembling as he watches my mates.

Min picks up Saiph’s scythe.

The king and queen stay back, trying not to overwhelm Saiph. But I can see the overwhelming emotions that are on display on their faces. The Queen is openly crying but she stays at a distance.

Saiph can hardly walk and his expressions show me his memory is hazy. They take him inside the palace.

"Amaia, you precious girl," Queen Adrnia sobs, taking me into her arms and crying openly. King stands beside her, nodding in admiration and holding back his tears.

"I couldn’t have done it without your help. It was a combined effort," I answer calmly as they stare at my hair which has changed colour.

"We are sorry for your wings and hair," King Orion intones.

I was ready for much more. This is nothing. I loved my wings but what I have now is dark parts stitched together of my mates.

I am used to black hair, and have spent most of my life in it. It’s only the darkness that seems to have soaked into my heart and soul, that I am slightly worried about. How will my powers be affected? The impulse that will come with it. I don’t wish to harm anyone innocent.

"I prefer these," I assure them as we proceed towards the palace and I let my wings retreat.

"We will let you speak to him first. When he is rested and ready, let us know," Queen Adrnia wisely says, halting outside the room which we have prepared for him. King Orion agrees with the nod of his head.

"Let TJ inspect him."

Aziel stays by their side.

I curtsey and enter with my mates. Alnilam and Rigel have laid him on the bed and covered him with a blanket. Saiph has his eyes closed while healer TJ is examining him.

Rigel advances and yanks me to his hard chest. "You were special. I knew it the very first moment I saw you."

"She is and I am so proud of her," Min adds from beside us.

"It was thanks to all of you...I couldn’t have done it alone," I choke out, staying in Rigel’s embrace. He moves behind me though, placing his hands on my waist so I can observe Saiph. Alnitak comes and places a quick kiss on my head.

Alnilam is assisting the wise healer. They take their time and we wait with anxiousness creeping upon us.

Finally, TJ turns. "He appears fine. All vital signs are stable. The heart is beating normally but I will run some tests." He shows us the blood samples he has taken.

"Let him rest a bit. Don’t try to overwhelm him. Give him some soup." All of us collectively nod at the healer who appears slightly white and eyes me suspiciously.

"I swear this is only one time." I raise my hands to show him that I am serious about not bringing anyone back from the dead again.

"I will need to examine you too. When you are done here, come to me. Such rituals affect the body and I can already see the consequences. It’s not good," he says with a shake of his head. I don’t counter him, knowing the old man is right and is only looking out for me.

Alnitak escorts him out. Rigel lets me go so I can see him.

Alnilam rubs my back with love and pride as I pass by him.

Carefully, seating myself near him I place my hand on his forehead. He senses my touch, his eyes instantly open, finding me.

The endless blue of his and the worried green of mine, continue to stare.

"You brought me back. Didn’t you?" He reaches with his hand and places it on my face.

So warm and soothing his touch is. I have missed it.

"Yes, I had to. Who was going to call me bunny?" I blink away the gathering tears. This brings a smile to Saiph’s lips.

"How?" I place my free hand on his, pressing his calloused but warm fingers into my skin.

"Long story, I will tell you some other time." I don’t want to give him any details which would make him feel guilty but his eyes lift to my hair.

"I caused you an indefinite amount of hurt."

"Shhh!" I press my finger on his warm lips.

"You didn’t, she did. Rest, we will speak later on the matter."

Mintaka brings forward a bowl of soup and hands it to me. Rigel helps Saiph up so I can feed him. His eyes take in his brothers, their combined contentment and relief are inside our hearts, no one has to speak.

Slowly, I feed Saiph and he quietly sips. Once the bowl is finished, I help him wipe his mouth.

"How are you feeling?" Alnitak asks, sitting beside him, on the opposite side.

"Alive for sure. I had been trapped in a limbo with light and darkness pulling me from each side. It feels good to be alive," he thankfully says.

"You fulfilled your oath. No more oaths for you," Alnilam says, squeezing his shoulder. Others nod their agreement.

Saiph gives us all a tiny smile, a fractured smile. The horrors he was made to live and witness must be coming back to him and I don’t even know what to say to him now that he is here.

I didn’t reveal how he was violated in front of me but the pain he carries in his eyes, I know he is thinking about it.