Page 39

I promised my father that he could attend our after-parties—all the celebrations we had after we finished missions. And since I brought him, I had to bring the children and Eibhleann, my father's wife. I also brought Cat, my best friend, who happened to be a puka—a Fey, shapeshifting dog. Cat used to go on missions with me, but it got to be too much. So now, she stayed home and watched over Rowan.

And if I brought Cat, I couldn't leave the rest of the family behind. So, I laruked to Unseelie and then Seelie to collect my husbands and children in those kingdoms. By the time we walked into the party, it was late in Thailand, and my kids were all from different time zones, but the excitement of a celebration kept everyone going. Cat was especially having fun exploring the yard with all its new, exciting smells and wildlife.

“So, Rue is in the Coven prison?” Leo asked.

“He is,” I confirmed. “I'm sure they'll welcome your testimony at his trial.”

“Witches don't have trials,” Vanessa, the other Bite Vex, said. “The word is triggering for most of us.”

I snorted a laugh. Then I realized that she might have been serious.

Luckily, she wasn't. Vanessa laughed with me, then nudged Leo's shoulder. “Come on. It's over. The sorceress is dead, her stolen-magic creams destroyed, and the traitor is in a cage. We won. Our people are safe.”

“Including those who you freed from the last house,” I added, thinking about the empty cells I had passed on my way out of that slaughter chamber. They'd been full of the sorceress's would-be victims. Her stash for her next round of product.

“Rue was a vex, Vanessa.” Leo shook his head. “He should have been steadfast.”

“Even vexes can fall in love.” I leaned into Tiernan's embrace. “And love can make us do terrible things.”

Tiernan smiled softly at me.

“What terrible thing did she do for you?” Vanessa asked Tiernan.

Tiernan lifted my hand, kissed it, then said, “She killed a Fairy Queen and gave me her kingdom.”

“That's partially true,” I teased him.

“It's entirely true. And it's just one of the many things you've done for me.”

“Not all of them are terrible.”

“No. Most aren't. And even the terrible ones are beautiful.”

“Do you two need some alone time?” Team Leader Sullivan asked as he joined us.

“Always.” Tiernan shifted his stare to the extinguisher. “But we can control ourselves for a little while.”

Vanessa sighed.

Everyone looked at her.

She cleared her throat. “Sorry. He's just really handsome.” She waved limply at Tiernan. “That hair. Is it natural? And your eyes are amazing. I've never seen anyone with silver eyes.”

“How about gold?” Raza leaned over Vanessa's shoulder to whisper in her ear.

She squeaked and jumped away. “Don't do that!”

The rest of us laughed.

“You forgot my title.” Raza lifted a brow over one of the aforementioned golden eyes.

“You aren't my king.” Vanessa pointed at him. “I'm a Witch, not a Fairy.”

“Technically, you're part Fey. And the White Women you're descended from are my people. So, you will address me properly . . . Witch.”

Vanessa gaped at Raza. We all did. He wasn't usually so uptight about such things.

And then Raza laughed, his amusement rumbling through the living room and out to the garden. Cat came bolting in to bark at him, clearly concerned for his well-being. He only laughed harder—especially when he saw Vanessa roll her eyes.

“Yes, yes, I'm fine, Catriona.” Raza stroked Cat's silky, gray head. “Thank you for your concern.” He strode over to me and took my free hand. “This is a lovely party.”

“I'm glad you're having fun.” I shook my head. “Kill is going to be upset when he hears he missed your attempt at humor.”

“Attempt?” Raza scowled and as he did, he shifted into his human guise.

“Yes, attempt.” I looked him over. “What's with the costume change?”

“This room is crowded and small.” He grimaced. “Besides, this form bothers Daxon.” Raza grinned again.

“Have you shifted targets from Killian to Daxon?” Tiernan asked.

Raza shrugged. “It's not as much fun to glower at Killian these days. He's begun to enjoy it. He even told me he sees it as a form of affection.”

I went serious, thinking about how Killian held onto me even as I shouted for him to let go. And he'd done it calmly, knowing we could both be going to our deaths.

“Mo shíorghrá?” Raza let go of my hand to slide his over my lower back.

Cat whined and leaned into me.

“Yes?” I absently stroked Cat.

“You're crying, little star,” Tiernan said.

“Oh!” I swiped at my face. “Sorry. I was just thinking about how Kill held onto me when I got sucked through that portal.”

“Yeah, he stole all the glory,” Daxon grumbled as he came up with the man himself, both of them holding steins of beer.

The vexes knew how to throw a party.

Killian grinned. “You die—”

“I die,” the rest of my husbands finished the line in unison.

I burst out laughing. But I went into Killian's arms as I did. “I love you, Blair.”

“I love you too, Twilight.” His tone dropped into a rare one of deep seriousness to add, “More than anything in all the worlds.” He leaned back to look at me. “When they took you away from me, I thought I was going to lose my mind.”

“That's why you should have listened to me and stayed behind!” I pushed him away, suddenly annoyed. “We were on a mission, Ambassador . And you could have helped to find me. You would have certainly done more for me outside a cage than in one.”

“I don't care.” Killian grinned. “There were plenty of people left to find us.” He waved at Dax. “You needed someone with you.” He cupped my cheek. “I couldn't let go.”

“Yeah, I remember,” I whispered.

“So what's the verdict with Anu?” Sever asked as he stepped up behind Killian, Miri in his arms.

He had a crowd of women behind him who trailed off when they saw his destination. Not because of me or because they were trying to flirt with my husband. It was Mirielle. A baby Angel drew female attention like sweets with children. And a baby Angel in a daddy Angel's arms? That was ten times the draw. They smiled at Miri and Sever even as they turned away.

“The verdict?” I shifted my stare from the entranced female crowd to my husband.

“Are you still working for him?”

“Yes, of course.”

My men shared unreadable looks.

“What?” I asked as I reached for Miri. “Come here, little girl. How do you like Thailand?”

Miri cooed and smacked my face.

“That's my sassy girl.” I chuckled as I nuzzled her.

“We thought you might be done with him,” Raza said. “Since you discovered his treachery.”

“Treachery?” I laughed. “Wow. That's harsh.”

“Do you not find it treacherous that he manipulated you to manipulate us?” Sever asked.

“How many times do I have to tell you to stop whining?” Star drawled as he came up to our group.

The vexes, perhaps feeling the tension, drew back and quietly abandoned us.

Sever spun toward Star, knocking a side table with his wings.

“You see?” Raza waved at the table while Killian steadied it. “Wings.” He shook his head. “They're no good in cramped quarters.”

But my attention was on Sever. Because with his anger came a burst of Twilight Magic, just as it used to happen with me when I first received my Fey magic. And yet, Sever wasn't me. He was unique like me but in a different way. Instead of a burst of lavender sparkles—harmless and pretty—the tattoo of thorny vines on his left arm came to life and shot off his arm. The glossy green vines burst into flame and wrapped around Star's throat.

People screamed. Sever's wings spread wide, pushing everyone, including myself, back. The midnight feathers shone with a dusting of sparkling lavender, and Sever's eyes lit up, glowing in a similar color. Simultaneously, Star gasped and choked, blood pouring down his crisp white shirt to turn it bright red. His elegant hands went to the fiery vine and gripped it, unharmed by the flames but wounded by the thorns. All around the room, the King of Hell's guards vanished in embers, two of them were close enough that they didn't have to lalek—they were on Severriel before I was. But Sever simply knocked them away with his wings.

I handed a shockingly calm Miri to Raza and shot forward to grab the fire thorns. Uncrossing Magic pulsed out of me, but the vines weren't an enchantment. They were an attack. Star met my stare, his eyes holding a warning. If I didn't get Sever under control soon, he'd have to defend himself.

If it had been anyone but my husband, I would have used Light to burn those thorns. But since they had manifested from his tattoo, I was hesitant to do that. What if the Light traveled up the vines and killed Sever? No, I couldn't take that risk. So, I simply grabbed them with both hands.

Sever's stare instantly shifted to the blood that fell from my fists. Seeping out from between my fingers. He flinched, shook his head, and drew back his magic. “Seren!” He reached for me.

I pushed Sever away with my bloody hands, fury rising inside me, and went to Star as I shouted, “Are there any healers here?”

All of my vast power and yet, I couldn't heal. With my hands around Star's and our gazes locked. I felt that lack more than ever. His guards circled us and helped their king to a chair. I went with them, keeping my hands in place. Blood kept flowing.

“Move aside!” Leo shouted.

We parted for him, and he knelt beside Star.

“You need to let go, Your Majesties,” Leo said to both of us.

Star immediately let go, his hands going loose beneath mine. But I held on and had to force myself to draw my hands away from his throat. When I did, I nearly screamed. Star should have been healing. He was immortal and the King of Hell. He had incredible powers of regeneration. And yet, the wounds were jagged and fresh.

Blood gushed down Star's throat and Demons cursed. Leo, however, dove for Star's neck.

“What the fuck?!” Sallales shouted and reached for him.

“No!” I shoved her back. “He's a blood drinker. He can heal wounds with his saliva.”

Sal gaped at me. “That shit is true?”

“Honestly, I didn't think it was until now. I'm just guessing.” I took Star's hand as I watched Leo lick the multitude of wounds that circled Star's throat.

“Is he all right?” Sever called over the heads of Demons.

“Fuck off, motherfucker!” Nassar growled at him.

“Just tell me if he's all right!”

I ignored Sever. I was too mad. Too upset.

Then Star gasped in a breath and everyone breathed with him.

“Star?” I squeezed his hand.

He squeezed me back. “You've given your husband a gift, haven't you, Your Majesty?”

“Thank goodness,” Sever murmured.

“Don't make me punch you,” Nassar said.

“Seren?” Sever called.

I ignored him. “You okay?”

“Yes.”

Leo sat up, licking his lips, and his head kept its backward momentum until it arched in bliss. “Oh, fuck. That's the best thing I've ever tasted.”

I glanced at Leo as Sal helped him to another chair, thanking him as she did. Then I focused back on Star. His neck was fully healed.

“Seren!” Star hissed.

I followed his stare to my hands. They hadn't healed either. I held my hands out in amazement.

“What the fuck are you trying to do—reenact the crucifixion? Snap out of it!” Sal grabbed my wrist. “Leo!”

“Coming!” Leo swayed.

“You've had enough!” Vanessa pushed Leo back in his chair. “I'll take care of the Ambassador.” Vanessa knelt beside me. “With your permission, Ambassador Seren.”

I stared from my hands to her.

“Do it!” Star growled. “She's in shock.”

I nodded and lifted my hands.

Vanessa bent her head and licked my wounds. After the first lick, she started to moan. Then she grabbed my wrists and buried her face in my palms.

“Whoa,” Sal whispered.

“Enough!” Star grabbed Vanessa's shoulder.

Vanessa kept licking.

“I said—”

“Leave her be,” I interrupted. “She's not hurting me, and my blood is of no use to me now. She can have it.”

Star lifted his brows.

Vanessa started making sounds that shouldn't be made in public.

I cleared my throat and tried to ignore her. “I don't understand what happened. I don't . . .”

“Ah.” Star leaned forward, onto his knees. “You do understand. What have you thought of?” He tapped my nose.

I stared at the King of Hell, another layer of shock descending. Star was so calm, as if nothing had happened. And yet the proof of his trauma stained his shirt red. He looked like an extra on the set of a zombie film.

“I . . . uh,” I whispered.

“Those were my thorns,” a commanding voice said—the voice of a Fairy king. “At least, partly.”

Star's guards parted for my father.

King Keir stepped over to us, his purple eyes shining with curiosity but also concern. When he saw Star's healed throat, he nodded. “As I suspected. Are you all right, Daughter?”

Right on cue, Vanessa finished her meal and sat back to sprawl against Star's chair.

“Okay, drunk girl.” Sal slipped in and helped Vanessa up. “Let's get you to a seat.”

“I'm fine.” I watched Sallales leave with Vanessa, down at my uninjurred palms. then up at my father. “Sever has inherited a combination of our mórs.”

“Astaroth.” Sever finally managed to get through the Demon blockade. “I'm so sorry. I don't know what came over me.”

“Just blame it on Anu.” Star smirked. “Like you do everything else.”

“All right, he deserved that.” I got to my feet. “But you need to stop messing with him. You both have your own journey to go through with Anu. You haven't experienced what Severriel has, and he doesn't have your experiences. Try to remember that.” I shook my head. “I hoped that now that Anu stopped pushing us together, the two of you might get along.”

Star stood up and smoothed out his blood-drenched suit. “Of course, Seren. I'm nothing if not reasonable.”

I snorted a laugh.

“May I inspect your throat?” My father peered at Star.

Star inclined his head, then leaned it to the side.

Everyone went silent as King Keir looked from side to side, turning Star's head with the tips of his fingers. “Yes. Very good. Only magic can heal the wounds created by Bloodthorns. Your Witch friend there had enough magic to accomplish a healing. I wasn't sure he would, what with his Fey magic so diluted.”

“I'm surprised the thorns worked on me,” Star said.

“Fairies can hurt Demons, just as Demons can hurt Fairies.” My father shrugged. “We'll have to come up with a new name for this new mór.” He looked at Sever. “What a blessing, Son!” He smacked Sever's shoulder.

Star scowled at that.

I wasn't too pleased either, but my father had always been one to look on the bright side.

And that's when I heard the soft weeping. My ears perked, and I dashed through the crowd around us. Unerringly, I found my children, standing together in a group, clutching each other with my stepmom's arms around the little group.

Eibhleann looked up as I approached and smiled. “A mother always knows when she's needed.”

“Thank you for looking after them.” I crouched and took her place.

“Of course.” Eibhleann stepped back. “See? Your Mama is fine.”

“It's all right.” I hugged and kissed each of them. They were old enough to understand the intricacies of social interactions and magic, but all the shouting and screaming of my name would have been terrifying. I loved that they clung to each other through it. I feared they wouldn’t share the same bond as other siblings due to being raised in separate kingdoms. But we got them together often enough that they had formed those bonds anyway, and that was a great relief to me.

“What happened?” Shahzadi asked, her wings rustling around Caelum and Rowan, pulling them closer. “How come Uncle Sever attacked Uncle Star?”

“Uncle Star said something mean.” I tapped her nose, not realizing until after I completed the motion that I had mimicked Star. “Uncle Sever isn't himself tonight. His mór is emerging, and he doesn't know how to control it yet because he wasn't born a Fairy like you four. I had a similar experience when I first got my fey magic. I was lucky though, and all that happened when I got upset was a burst of lavender sparkles.”

“Sparkles?” Rowan asked.

“Yup. They'd explode around me.” I made a face that got them giggling. “It was so embarrassing.” Then I went serious. “Magic can be wonderful but it can also be dangerous. The Goddess gave it to us to improve our lives and protect us. So, we must be very careful with it.”

“Like I used mine to protect myself,” Caelum said.

“Yes, my love.” I cupped his cheek. “You made us so proud. But now you know how powerful your mór is, and so you must be extra vigilant. Remember how you once attacked me by mistake?”

Caelum grimaced. “I'm sorry, Mom.”

“You already apologized for that. I don't say it to chide you, but to remind you that when you don't keep control of magic, especially when you lose control of your emotions, it can hurt people you care about. That's what happened with your uncles tonight. Do you understand?”

“What's all this crying about?” Star's voice came from behind me, his tone teasing.

I turned to see that he had removed his bloody shirt and replaced his suit jacket so that he was bare-chested beneath it. It made him look like an exotic dancer. And I don't mean the cultural variety.

“Uncle Star, are you okay?” Rowan asked.

The children shifted their stares from me to Star.

He crouched and held out his arms. “I'm fine. See? Your uncle just got mad at me because I said something naughty.” He winked at them. “But we've made up and are friends again.”

That soft, mother part inside my heart melted to see Star interacting with my kids. I had to mentally slap myself to remind that weak heart that I would never have children with this man. And that was fine. It was more than fine—it was great. He needed to have kids with a woman who could devote herself to him and Hell. A Demon woman.

Just not that Fal . . Free . . . what the hell was her name? Frelada! That's it. The Seren-lookalike. Not her. She was annoying. And not Antaura because she wasn't right for him. Star needed someone who could be as gentle as she could be tough. He needed . . . nope! Not doing that. It wasn't for me to say what he needed. None of my business!

“Uncle Sever!” Rowan called out and darted around Star.

Sever scooped her up and kissed her cheek. “It's all right, children. I did something bad, and I've apologized for it. We can't be good all the time, but when we make a mistake, we should apologize and try to correct it as soon as possible.”

“Mom says you don't know how to control your mór yet,” Falcas, my little man, said. “That makes it an accident.”

“Yes, but you should apologize for anything bad that you've done, even if it was accidentally.” Sever looked at Star. “Again, I'm so sorry, Astaroth.”

“It's all right.” Star stood up and squeezed Sever's shoulder. “Out of the mouths of babes, right? It was an accident.”

“Thank you. That's very generous of you. And . . .” Sever glanced at me. “I know I don't have to thank you for this, but just the same, thank you for saving Seren.”

I looked back and forth between them as I stood up. What the hell? Had that fight actually made them friends? What were they—Australian? If they went to drink a beer together, I was leaving.

Star looked at me. “You're right. You don't have to thank me for that.”

Sever looked back and forth between us, much as I'd done with him and Star. “I see. At least it seems manageable now.”

Star grinned, but it was sardonic. “Yes, I believe I'll be able to move past it.” He shifted his grin into something genuine for the kids. “Goodnight, children.”

“Goodnight, Uncle Star,” they said in unison.

Star snorted. “You've got a little Von Trapp family going on.”

Sever surprised me by saying, “They don't sing.”

But I shouldn't have been surprised. There are movies in Heaven. I watched them there. I couldn't remember if I had watched “The Sound of Music,” but it would have been appropriate to the setting.

Star chuckled as he walked away. Away from my family and me. I wondered if it was the last time we'd speak about our attraction. I both hoped and feared that it was.