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He started toward the shadows near the cypress trees, and they bent to him like courtiers bowing to a returning king. Then he vanished, the air folding in behind him like a curtain drawn shut.

The group began to disperse—Greed first, muttering about needing weapons; Envy close behind, already reaching for his phone to check in with his network. Sloth faded back toward the house, muttering something about boosting the wards. Gluttony lingered, gaze unreadable, before finally turning away.

Only Lust and I remained.

Lust crossed his arms, eyes glittering. “You sure you’re ready for this, sweetheart? She might actually kill you.”

“She’d have to get in line,” Wrath replied. “And I don’t break easily.”

We all laughed, and I remembered the children.

“Shall we join Diana until they depart?” I asked.

Aggie clapped. “I love children! Let’s go.”

And with that, we made our way through the house, Wrath’s hand clasped in mine. The sunlight slanted through the window to paint the old flagstones in honey and cream. Out front Kiva and the others scampered around the table, arms full of wildflowers, their laughter echoing off the house.

Chapter

Thirty-Five

WRATH

“It’s time for the children to go home,” Pride announced.

I dropped my spoon and it clinked loudly against the porcelain bowl.

The children erupted in moans and groans around me, but only half-hearted. Their time here had been filled with garden outings, laughter, and more joy than Gluttony ever had thought possible in his dingy manor.

But all things came to an end, and they were excited to go home.

“Alright now, everyone outside.”

The children practically tripped over themselves as they ran, an admonishment dying on Pride’s lips as they were already gone. He gave me a smirk, and followed them out the foyer and front door.

Kiva sat still at the table next to me.

“I’m sorry,” I said.

Her lips pursed.

“My parents are dead. Why can’t I stay here?” she whispered.

I sighed and stood. “The fae council wants to ensure you grow up with your own kind, so your magick develops as it should.” I left out the part where fae children were so rare that every influential fae family had been chomping at the bit to claim her. She’d be a bit of a celebrity once she returned to fae society.

“I don’t want to go. I like it here.”

She ran out of the room, only to be caught by Sloth.

Kiva sobbed, throwing her arms around him.

“Come on, sparkles. You can always visit.”

He carried her out the foyer, stroking her tiny wings gently. I followed them all outside at the front steps, crossing my arms loosey over my chest. A line of cars, enchanted carriages, and floating chariots appeared one by one in the long driveway. Birds chirped overhead, and the garden bloomed brighter than usual, as if even the flowers knew something good was coming.

They came to a halt, and the first carriage door creaked open.

“Mama! Baba!”