Page 61 of Crimson Skies

“That’s because all he wanted to do was make babies,” Atropos grumbled.

Hyperion flashed a guileless smile at her. “But our children would have lit up Heaven with our strength and your beauty, my love.”

Atropos’s face flushed delicately at the ardent light in her fiancé’s golden eyes.

“I swear, that Titan could charm the pants off Elios,” Tisiphone muttered in disgust.

Hyperion grimaced at that. His expression hardened a little at the sight of the Reaper God. “I am surprised to see you here.Your kind is not meant to get involved in the affairs of Heaven and the Hells.”

Scarlet and gold sparked in the Reaper God’s pupils at his accusing tone. The shadows around him thickened as he straightened to his full height. “That agreement became void the moment Elios attacked my realm.To forgive is not in my nature, Titan.”

Hyperion frowned at the God of Death before studying Myrdin with equal displeasure. “What are you doing, Myrdin?You of all people should know better than to side with them in this war.”

The Forest God met his condemning stare sedately. “I choose to stand with my wife and my son.”His wise eyes flitted briefly to Atropos.“It seems you have made your decision too, Hyperion.”

A muscle jumped in the Titan’s jawline. Pan and Demetrius landed on the hill with the imps before he could voice a riposte.

Loki stared unblinkingly at the figure who led the creatures. “Father.”

Cassius startled at his dazed mumble.

Loki swallowed, dropped to one knee, and bowed his head. His voice trembled when he spoke. “Welcome to Earth, King Rizen.”

Excited murmurs broke out among the Gargantua.

The biggest of them remained frozen, his crimson gaze locked on Loki like he’d seen a ghost. He came to life with a jolt, closed the distance to the imp in two swift strides, and pulled him to his feet, features taut with emotion.

“Zrel, my son!” He hugged him. “The Wild God told me you were alive, but I did not want to believe him.” His voice turned husky. “Oh how I have missed you, little one!”

Loki’s face crumpled. He embraced his father tightly. “I—I missed you too, father! I thought—I thought you long dead!” He lifted his head and looked to the rest of the Gargantua, his cheeks wet with tears. “Mother? And my brothers and sisters?”

The hope brightening the imp’s face died when the Gargantua king pulled back and shook his head with a crestfallen expression.

“Alas, what you see is the last of our race,” Rizen murmured.

Fresh tears pooled in Loki’s eyes. The imp turned to Pan, chin wobbling. “Th—thank you. For finding my family.”

The Wild God grimaced. “I didn’t do it for you. They’ll be useful in this war.”

Demetrius stabbed an elbow in his lover’s ribs.

“And you’re welcome,” Pan added awkwardly.

King Rizen observed Cassius with a grave look. “Pan informed me that you saved my son. Thank you, Awakener.”

He bowed deeply.

“Please, there is no need for that,” Cassius protested. “Loki saved me as much as I saved him.”

Loki sniffed and wiped his eyes.

“Still, you have my heartfelt gratitude.” Rizen’s gaze swept the assembled deities and celestial army. “Pan informed us of what happened after the Nether tore when we were making our way here.” Determination brightened his eyes. “We will stand by your side in the war to come.”

Cassius’s shoulders knotted at his words.

Morgan’s scalp prickled when he caught the guarded look his lover exchanged with Atropos. Theo and the other Guardians appeared similarly troubled.

Unease clouded Victor’s face. “What’s wrong?”