Page 160 of Alastair

I let his words sink in. Somehow, they made me feel better. “Can we build him a pyre?”

I sensed them then. My brothers.

Galen and Kallias dropped to one knee beside me and lifted Lucifer onto their shoulders. Castor squeezed my arm and offered me a thin smile. Daman, Bellamy, and Raiden were there too. Gray grabbed my hand. They then walked with me toward a pyre they’d already built.

My vision blurred again. Stupid emotions. I couldn’t get mine under control.

After they set Lucifer on top, I positioned his hands on his stomach and draped a cloak over him. I took several deep breaths before nodding to Phoenix. He stepped forward and touched the pyre, setting it on fire.

As the flames spread across the wood and reached the cloak, I watched him burn.

None of my brothers left my side. We didn’t speak, but we didn’t need to. I felt their love. They were letting me grieve. Letting me be vulnerable. Holding me up.

I wasn’t sure how much time had passed before I finally turned from the pyre.

In the distance, the sky appeared lighter. We had lived to see another day. Our friends too. Sirena held Clara as they paid respect to fallen Nephilim from our army. Baxter and Naida stood speaking with King Tatsuya and Prince Viktor. Even with the fighting behind us, I suspected more than alliances had formed. Friendships had too.

“This is where I bid you good morning,” Konnar said. “Dawn is approaching. My coffin awaits.”

I clasped his forearm. “Thank you for fighting beside me.”

“Always.” Konnar smiled, flashing his fangs. “Remember we have a tea date soon. Don’t be late.”

“I won’t.” I returned his smile. “But I expect cranberry scones.”

“Of course. I’d say you more than earned them. Even if crumpets are better.” Konnar winked at me before nodding to Lazarus and flitting away. There one moment and gone the next.

“What do we do now?” I asked.

“You need to sleep.” Lazarus pressed his lips to my forehead. “You can barely keep your eyes open.”

The last twenty-four hours were certainly catching up to me. And for the first time in so long, I felt like I’d finally be able to properly rest. The promise of better days waited on the horizon. The war was over. Lucifer’s reign of terror had come to a close. For good this time.

I looked at my brothers. Though tired, they all held their mates. Smiling. Free from the burden of war. Where life would take us next? I wasn’t sure. But I couldn’t wait to find out.

As dawn broke across the sky, I pressed against Lazarus’ side. “Let’s go home.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Lazarus

Sunlight spilled across the rose-gold roof of the gazebo as I strolled through the palace gardens. Paced, really. The council was currently discussing my relationship with Alastair. I had been told to wait for their decision.

I hated waiting.

Expelling a breath, I stopped beside a water basin that had been carved from stone. Crystal-clear water trickled through it. Intended to add to the tranquility but somehow missed the mark. My nerves were wound too tight.

“Stop your fretting,” a deep voice came from my left. Michael walked toward me wearing a blue chiton. He shared my aversion to any clothing worn above the waist, but when there were council matters to attend to, he dressed the part. “Your wings will not be darkened this day. Here.”

“What is it?” I asked as I accepted the wrapped bundle from him.

“Mini apple pies,” he answered. “Made with apples from the winter orchard. Raphael had them prepared especially for you. They’re adorable, are they not?”

I unwrapped them, revealing three small pies with perfectly golden and flaky puff pastry filled with diced apples and covered in cinnamon. Mouthwatering spices tickled my nose. “A mighty warrior such as yourself using the word ‘adorable’ to describe them is adorable.”

Michael smiled. “I like to find enjoyment even in the smallest things in life. There is always some new discovery to make. Something new to fall in love with. Food. Music. Smartphones. These things help soothe my mind when it tries to get the best of me.”

“It seems you found enjoyment in my pies on your way over,” I said, eyeing the light dusting of crumbs at the corner of his lips.