Page 19

Chapter nineteen

“ N eedless to say, I’m very impressed,” said Gor, lounging lazily in a chair in the corner of my room.

My arms shook, beads of sweat sliding down my warm neck into my shirt, the fabric clinging to my skin. I released the power, staggering over to the couch across from him and slumped into the soft, velvet cushion. I closed my eyes, trying to steady my breath.

“Drink up,” Gor demanded. I opened my eyes and gladly took the cup he offered me, consuming the cool water in one gulp. “You’re already a third of the way finished.”

“I don’t understand,” I gasped, still trying to calm my racing heart. “When Deus and I were in Hell, I was able to construct the gate back home almost instantly.”

He shrugged. “Our powers are more potent when we are in Hell. We’re directly connected to our fuel source. Maybe that contributed to your expeditiousness.”

“I don’t think I’ll ever understand how magic works,” I answered, wiping my brow with the back of my hand.

“It took you weeks to create your first gate. By the looks of it, this is going to be done in two days. That’s impressive, little goddess.”

“Thanks. Now, all we need is Talia’s bones. No word from G or the others on the location of the body?”

“Nothing yet.”

“And the artifacts?”

“Still no sign of Lucifer or his minions.”

Knock, knock, knock.

“Come in,” I called sitting up. Tony’s head popped around the corner of the doorframe, traveling from me and then to Gor. His brow furrowed. Gor smirked slyly, lacing his fingers behind his head. I couldn’t help but snicker.

“Sorry,” Tony said. “I didn’t realize you weren’t alone.”

“Were you trying to catch my brother’s fiancé alone, little Simonelli?” asked Gor.

“And why would it matter to you?” Tony asked.

“Well, Giana seems to like you breathing, and I presume I don’t have to remind you how territorial Asmodeus is. Especially when it comes to his mate.” Gor sat up straight, leaning slowly forward, his posture turned intimidating. His tone shifted, no longer amused. “So, for all our sakes, turn around and get the fuck out.”

“Gor,” I interrupted before this visit got out of hand. “It’s okay. Tony is just a friend.”

“No, sweet Seren,” he said lightly. “You don’t fuck friends.”

“Gor,” I snapped, louder than before. “I appreciate the overprotective brother act, but I assure you, Deus trusts me. Nothing is going to happen.”

Gor stood casually, as if he wasn’t just about to burn the room to the floor, and brushed his long brown coat with his hands, releasing the wrinkles. He walked over to Tony, his hands folded behind his back just like Deus. Gor’s face was a frightening calm that made my blood freeze. He assessed Tony from head to toe.

“If you end up dead,” Gor said softly, “and cause Giana any pain from your stupidity, I will personally make the rest of eternity a slow and painful hell for you once you arrive in my home.” Gor leaned in to his ear. “And I assure you, Antonio Simonelli, that is where you are going.” Gor exited, leaving Tony standing unnaturally still.

“Are they all that dramatic?” Tony asked, finally relaxing his shoulders.

“Yup,” I answered, refilling my waterglass. “Go figure, the princes of Hell are all just a bunch of territorial, boasting teenagers.”

“Isn’t he supposed to be lazy?”

“He’s more of a bookworm. His place in Egypt is filled with priceless treasures, but the entire place looks like an episode from one of those hoarding shows. He usually doesn’t involve himself in politics, and he’s not ambitious like his brothers. They all have their own afflictions of the sins they represent. Some are blindingly evident, while others require you to look closer at the specific prince.”

“I’ll never understand the appeal.”

I laughed. “You don’t prefer men … you wouldn’t. Did you need something?”

“Nonna asked me to inform you that the covens will be gathering here within the next few days. Training will begin.”

“Will … will the Soleil Coven be arriving as well?” I asked. I would always carry that burden with me.

“All covens, Seren.”

I sat back onto the couch, thinking of Orion. Of his mother. And his groom-less bride.

Tony sat down next to me. “It wasn’t your fault,” he whispered .

I struggled to find the right words. “I … I’ve gone over it time and time again,” I replied. “There were so many different paths I could have chosen that wouldn’t have resulted in our capture.”

“You can’t do that to yourself. Even with all the power you possess, foresight is not one of them. And yes, we can ponder ‘what if’, but that only deprives us of the joy around us. No matter how much we want to, we can’t change the past.”

“If there was a way to go back, I would have done it already.” Tears fell down my cheeks.

“I know you would have. And so does he,” Tony said, grasping my shoulder in a comforting gesture. “He loved you. The connection the two of you had will never be replaced. But Seren … you lived. He wouldn’t want you to waste that by constantly carrying this guilt around with you. Live, Seren. Be happy.”

An uncontrollable laugh escaped me. I shrugged back against the couch. “If only I could,” I whispered.

“I think after everything you’ve experienced, you’re due a little happiness, wouldn’t you say?”

I smirked at the irony of his statement, knowing what my future held. “I don’t think the universe likes me very much.”

“What’s there not to like? Except your mate.” Tony grinned playfully and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“I didn’t have a choice, you know.”

“Maybe not in your power, but you did have a choice in loving him. You were in love with him before the mating bond clicked into place.”

I replayed the journey Deus and I had gone through to find one another. I nodded softly. “I did … You know … I think he found me long before I met him.”

Tony took my hand, squeezing it tightly. “You will have your happily ever after, Seren,” he said. He sounded so sure, his voice absent of jealousy or pain. I truly believed his words. “I want you to be happy. And after all this … you will be.”

I swallowed back the lump of sadness in my throat. My heart felt heavy. “Do you believe in miracles, Tony?” I whispered.

His brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”

“A miracle. Something that transcends all understanding … all logic … all sense.”

His eyes fell to our hands, still holding each other’s. A soft smile spread across his face. “After everything I did, the woman I love is sitting next to me, allowing me in her life. Not only did she forgive me, but she saved my sister and made my family whole.” His eyes lifted back to mine. “Yes, Seren De Salvo, I believe in miracles because you are mine.”

I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him into me. I cried, releasing all the stress of what had occurred, and was yet to come. No matter how little time I had left, Tony was right. I needed to live it.

I pulled away, wiping my cheeks as we smiled at one another. “Thank you, Tony. I think I needed that.”

“Anytime, beautiful,” he said, pinching my chin between his thumb and finger. He stood from the couch. “Well, I better get going before your mate or one of your soon-to-be brothers-in-law shows up to end my life.”

I laughed, following him to the door. “You know, if G and Gor work out, they’ll be your brothers-in-law as well. And I guess that would make me your sister-in-law.”

“Aradia, help me.” We both laughed as I showed him out.

I showered and then curled underneath the covers, the cool breeze of the impending snowfall creeping into my room. I was exhausted by the magic it took to build the gate. Within moments, I drifted into a deep slumber, surrounded by shadows and starlight. In the distance, a figure, so familiar and serene, waited for me. His shadows swirled around him. His eyes, a deep red, flickered in the darkness like a flame dancing in the night.

Without hesitation, my unconscious self stepped towards the figure. He offered me his hand. My icy cold flesh slid across the warm, smooth shadows of his fingers and then his palm. Fire sparked, heating as he pulled me into him. I allowed our bodies to meld into one, my soul seeming to call to his.

I relaxed, my head falling against the shadow’s broad chest. His arms, securing tightly around my waist. I closed my eyes, no longer wanting to think. An uncontrollable smile drew across my lips, parting them slightly, right before I heard myself whispered, “home.”