"No."
"Pardon me?"
"No."
Fae sighed heavily. "Why."
"Leave them alone, Fae," Leif growled, "don't touch Raptor."
"Don't touch Raptor," Fae repeated, her brow arched, "is there something I should know?"
"Maybe... maybe everything's just better off without my magic. I made such a," Leif cringed, "such a mess of things back at the NightWing Kingdom."
"Nonsense. You did exactly as I asked, save killing the Queens. Though you took a few shortcuts to get there, you've done well, Leif."
If he had done well... then why did everything feel so wrong? "Please, Fae. Just wait. See how things play out. I don't..." want to enchant anyone ever again? That was the truth. No more magic. Leif couldn't even remember half of his time in the Kingdom of Night. It started with Chenoa, and ended with Cyprus. Everything in between? Gone, now reduced to a foggy haze of rage and sorrow in his mind.
"You sound like me." Fae chuckled, gently placing a talon on his shoulder. "You're alright Leif. It's okay."
Leif leaned into his sister, taking a shuddering breath. His mouth was dry, a sickening feeling flooding through his stomach. So much of him, just... gone. He could see the good from the bad. That was that mattered, right? He had some piece of his soul left. Leif had pondered Chenoa's words regarding the good deeds erasing the bad for hours, all night, and for most of the day. It wasn't too late to change is path.
"Leif," Fae whispered, struggling to support the massive dragon, "it's okay."
"No," Leif responded hoarsely. A good deed. He would start now. "Enchant myself to erase every spell I have put on... myself,"
Fae froze, praying he wouldn't stop there. Oh, please, please don't stop there...
"in the past."
She exhaled softly, relief surging through her mind.
Leif shrunk considerably. Suddenly he could feel the gross warmth around him. And, heavens, Fae was tall.
"Brother," the IceWing Princess smiled gently, trying to hide her panic. What was he thinking?! "Protect yourself from another Animus at the least. Please."
"Only if you wait to kill Raptor and Gila."
"Leif, I don't want to kill Gila,"
"Only then."
She could tell he meant it. Something plagued her brother greatly.
"Please," Leif whispered, slowly lifting his head to look her in the eye, "for me."
Fae hesitated. This could wait. There was an entire third continent to explore. Maybe Leif's magic had affected him. Maybe she should have been more careful. Maybe taking a break from the magic was best. Fae sighed. "For you. And only for you. I will wait."
Leif nodded quicky, dropping his gaze and obediently reciting the protection spell.
"Come back to the Palace with me, Leif." The SeaWings wouldn't recognize this tiny IceWing as their Queen's assassin.
Leif smiled at his sister, "I will join you there soon. Thank you for waiting, Fae."
"You are welcome, Leif."
The IceWing Prince gave his sister a stiff nod, then vanished.