Penelope held the medallion out to Luca. The words stuck in her throat that ached for some reason she couldn’t work out. “You are no longer bound to me.” Her voice was soft, the words harder to say than she’d expected. Soon he’d leave and she feared he wouldn’t return. “The curse is broken and your debt is paid.” She pressed the medallion into his hand.
His fingers curled around the medallion and he smiled. “Thank you.”
“That’s it? You’re human again?” She rested her hand against his chest, the beat of his heart strong beneath her palm. But it always had been. “How can you be sure?” She’d expected something more spectacular. Especially after having faced a cockatrice.
“I feel human.” He placed a hand over hers. “I need to help Alex and Malachi. There’s still a manticore and one of the
