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Chapter thirty-eight

G roups of witches and warlocks were scattered throughout an open flat valley that Lilith had strategically chosen. Even though Satan had yet to show up, I was thankful that Lilith shared his knowledge and strategy when it came to war. Lilith was confident Satan would make the right choice, but I wasn’t, and neither were the brothers. If I was being honest, we needed him and his forces to stand a chance.

A few scouts were positioned on higher altitudes to assess any incoming threat. The land behind our position allowed us to see for miles, but also served as an escape route if the worst should occur.

I shifted back to Castle Salvo, gathering my last group and escorting them to our rendezvous point. The desert was so beautiful. The sky above us was a bright, clear shade of blue … it reminded me of Deus’s eyes. The beautiful hues of brown that made up the sand and rock formations glistened at the touch of the sun. Everything here was quiet in the most tranquil way. Even the wind seemed to sing as it billowed through the mounds of sand and stone, brushing the hair from my face in a loving caress.

Every few moments, a group of warlocks and witches would shift to our location. Most, I had never seen before. I realized then how little I knew about our family’s legacy. Nonna, I was sure, knew most of these members by name and coven. I had only ever been exposed to the members who had visited the castle.

I studied the coven members closely. A man and women stood close to one another, holding each other’s hands while the female cried. They looked down at her phone in silence before the woman brought it to her lips and kissed the screen. I knew they must have been looking at a picture of their child or children, overwhelmed by the fear of leaving them orphaned—a fate I would never wish on another. My heart stung from their pain and worry.

“Seren,” my mother’s voice came from behind me. I didn’t move. I just stared at the couple while they held each other. I felt my mom’s hand trail down the side of my arm. “How are you holding up?”

Without looking away from the heartbroken parents, I answered, “As well as can be expected.” Cloud after cloud of colored smoke puffed across the valley as the princes, Talia, and Lilith continued to transport the groups in. “When will everyone be here?” I asked.

“Your nonna calculated another ten minutes or so,” she answered. “Castle Salvo is clear. The princes are now traveling to other countries and continents gather the others.” A young boy, who looked no more than fifteen, walked through the crowd of people, handing out waters to those who waited.

I turned to study my mom. Her curly brown hair was pulled away from her face, the sun illuminating the freckles we shared across the bridge of her nose. Her tan skin glistened from the light kissing her softly. Her brown eyes sparkled, as the color seemed to dance within her irises. She was stunning, and her heart made her that much more beautiful.

“I wish we had more time,” I whispered, taking her hand. “I wish could have known you before all of this. I wondered about you for so many years, if you were dead or if … if you just didn’t want me.”

Her hands were on my cheeks in an instant, her face an inch away. “I wanted nothing more than to bring you into this world,” she said, her voice breaking. “I couldn’t wait to hold you, to see you laugh with your cousin, to watch you grow and learn. I’ve never wanted anything in this world more than I wanted you.

“From the moment I discovered I was pregnant, I fell in love with you—a love I never knew could exist. I hope you one day may experience that love for yourself. I knew there was no boundary or law that would prevent me from protecting you. I would defy nature itself to keep you safe … and I did.

“I hate that I missed so much of your life.” She began to cry. “But we can’t change the past. All we can do now is look towards the future and be grateful for the time we did have together. Even though that time was short, I couldn’t imagine loving you more than I do right now. You are everything I ever dreamed you’d be, and so much more. You are the best of us, Seren. You will continue the Salvo name and do us all proud.”

I held onto my mother, sobbing, wishing I could tell her everything. There were no words to express how much I had come to love her. Clinging to her arms, I shook my head, trying to find the right way to give her a proper goodbye. “Mom … I—”

“No,” she interrupted, pressing her forehead against mine. “Don’t say a thing. Just know I love you, little bean. I love you more than anything in this world and I will love you even in the next. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you,” she said, looking into my eyes sternly, “nothing … you hear me.”

I nodded, unable to speak. She kissed me on the cheek, pulled me into her and held me for a moment I wished would stretch forever .

Sometime later, still wrapped in my mother’s embrace, I heard Nonna’s voice behind us. “We’re all here,” she said, approaching Mom and me. Aunt Thora and Frankie accompanied her, looking already spent.

“Where are the demons?” I asked.

“Levi says they will arrive once Lucifer’s legions show themselves,” answer Frankie.

“How are the princes’ magic reserves holding up?” asked Mom.

“They’re taking a breather, but they seem to be fine,” answered Thora. “Talia and Lilith as well.”

“Any sign of Lucifer?” I asked, the anxiety building the longer we were stuck doing nothing. Frankie shook her head.

“I’ve instructed everyone to get some rest,” said Nonna. “We have tents going up as we speak. Might as well relax so everyone is at their best once things begin.”

“I don’t think anyone will be getting much rest, Mamma,” said Aunt Thora.

“Well, at least there will be some calm before the storm,” Nonna replied. “Once the fireworks begin, we need to stay close to one another, so when Seren is ready, we will be there.”

Everyone nodded, understanding the parts they needed to play. “Why don’t you go find Deus, little bean,” Mamma suggested. I nodded, emptiness in my heart echoing through my soul at the thought of leaving the ones I loved.

I left without a word, aimlessly searching through the small camp the covens had constructed. My head was fuzzy, and my emotions seemed to go silent. Numbness overtook me while I tried to focus. As the sun began to set and one face seemed to blur into the next, I opened the bridge between us, reaching down the bond for my mate.

“Where are you,” I whispered between our minds with a hint of desperation.

“Top ridge to your left,” he replied instantly. “I’ve been watching you for the past twenty minutes.”

“Then why didn’t you say something?”

“I like watching when you’re not aware.”

“Creep,” I replied, rolling my eyes before I shifted to him. I appeared on the ridge, standing over him while he sat casually on the rocky surface. He drew his eyes up to me and smiled. My heart almost stopped at the sight. “Why can’t you just be a normal man and aim to make your wife’s life a little easier?”

He laughed, pulling me down until I sat comfortably in between his legs. He wrapped his arms around me while I leaned back into his strength. He pressed kisses down the side of my face and then my neck. “Because, little wife,” he said, turning my face so he could look into my eyes. “I am neither normal, nor a man. And I do love it when you get all flustered. Your little outbursts entertain me so.”

“You’re evil.”

“And you love it.”

I laughed, nuzzling into the side of his face. “I do … I love absolutely everything about you.”

“Yes, after this, we should probably get your head checked.”

I pulled back, my mouth gaping. “And here I am, trying to be sweet, and you go and call me mental.”

He shrugged. “I do prefer my women a little crazy. Makes bedtime that much more adventurous.”

I smacked him in the arm, and he only grinned with amusement. He tightened his embrace while we settled into one another, turning our eyes to the horizon. After a few moments of silence, I felt myself relaxing, experiencing the peace only my mate could provide.

“It’s so beautiful here,” I whispered. “It’s hard to believe this scenery will soon be covered in blood and the bodies of dead coven members and demons. It’s a shame.”

“Don’t think like that,” he replied, brushing his thumb down my arm. “You need to stay focused. If you worry about everyone else around you, you will get distracted. Distractions get you killed.”

I nodded, knowing what he said was true. “Can I ask you something?”

“Anything.”

“If you come face to face with Victoria,” I paused, allowing the name of my mate’s former lover to settle inside of me before continuing. “Will you be able to kill her?”

He exhaled deeply. “She’s made her choice. The Victoria I once knew is gone.”

“Do you still feel for her? I only asked because I remember how I felt about Antonio, even after I learned of his betrayal and lies.”

“And do you still love the young Simonelli?” he asked, one eyebrow arched.

I smiled, rolling my eyes. “Really?”

“Inquiring minds would like to know.”

“I love him as a friend. He is a good man, but … but the love he and I shared has no comparison to our love. Nothing compares to this. I thought I knew what love was. I remember feeling the joy, even the heartbreak. But now, knowing what it’s like to find my missing half … nothing has nor will ever compare.”

“I couldn’t have said it better myself,” he whispered, leaning down to kiss me softly. “It is unfortunate the Victoria has chosen to align herself with our enemy, but even if she hadn’t … even if she was fighting on our side, there is nothing she could say or do that would cause me to second-guess the blessing I’ve been given. You are the only one I will ever want or need, for the rest of my existence.”

I smiled, completely confident in our love. I turned back to the silent valley. The temperature of the desert was dropping quickly. Small fires began to spring to life around the camp. There were no sounds of laughter or revelry. The camp was utterly silent while everyone waited for their impending deaths.

“What is he waiting for?” I asked, the heaviness of this war settling.

“My brother likes to make a dramatic entrance,” he replied, still holding me against his body. “He’s trying to get us to let our guard down, so when he attacks, our forces will be scattered and disoriented. I know Nonna wants the covens to rest, but it’s probably for the best they don’t. Everyone needs to be on guard.”

Across the camp, a member of Luna coven gestured and a violin appeared in his hands. Music filled the silent air around us, a sad and haunting rhythm that danced from note to note, seeming to voice my inner emotions. Deus and I sat holding one another while the song consumed us. My eyes shifted from one side of the horizon to the other; one part of me wished the war would begin, while the other hoped we could stay like this … forever.