Page 29

Her release pulled him under.

He pressed his forehead to her shoulder and gave her everything he’d held back. And she took every drop, her cries reaching triumphant when he collapsed and dragged her into his embrace.

Tangled. Shaking. Breath clashing over skin. Kaos drew her against his chest, still buried inside her. Kohl surfaced and the shift between them didn’t jolt—it merged like layers of warmth. They both held her. She had become the peace within the chaos inside them.

He pulled out of her slowly and curled his limbs over her, lips claiming the nearest silky skin it could find. Sucking, kissing. Tasting, savoring.

The phone eventually buzzed, announcing the Kings’ arrival.

Jaxi's fingers gripped his arms. “He’s here.”

Her voice cracked like a wire under strain, her fear drawing up Rage.

Kaos kissed her temple. “You’re safe.”

How does she know he’s here? Kohl asked.

Because she knows what we know . Kaos answered the phone. “Give us a minute.”

He ended the call and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her cheek then neck. “Ready for this?”

She held his face, turning in his arms and kissing him. “There's no need to fear,” she whispered, calling forth her own courage.

Kohl smiled on her mouth. “Not when you’re owned by the god of Rage and Lust.”

She gasped on his mouth, small smile flickering before she pressed herself tightly into his body, arms clinging. “And by his human shadow. Who is too jealous to let another ruin me.”

Kohl’s chest burned with those words. He snatched her face and kissed her deeply, a groan of pleasure unleashing. “We will always protect you. Every atom of both of us.”

They felt her tears before they fell. “I can help by getting dressed.” Her tiny words tangled inside their heart as they wiped the tears from her face.

“It would stop a war before it started,” Kohl murmured, tenderly kissing her lips as he sat up, pulling her with him.

They searched around for clothes, then stole glances at each other while dressing. A small smile adorned her perfect little mouth and they both knew it belonged solely to them. A gift they’d destroy worlds to protect.

We should be in our true form for this , Kohl thought.

Jaxi turned to the wall when she was done, eyes fixed on the black square she’d painted.

Kaos flooded their shared vessel with divinity and opened it to receive their true form. He stopped behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, kissing her neck. “What bothers you, my colorful storm?”

She sucked in a breath and turned, staring up at him. Before Kaos could worry about the strength of his bond with her, she lunged into him, clinging tight. “Kaos,” she whispered.

He held her head in his clawed fingers, watching her cover him with hot little kisses. He growled low as her lips turned his Rage and Lust into weapons, ready to kill.

“You missed me?”

She pulled back and he took her mouth with his, snatching her gasp and breath in hunger. Not even Kohl’s possessiveness could be bothered with jealousy while tasting her in their divine form.

The knock on the door happened right as their hand touched between her shoulder blades.

What is that? Kohl demanded, as Kaos traced the raised lines on her skin with his fingers.

A seal.

What kind of seal?

Kaos kissed her once more, his human counterparts racing. That’s what we’re about to find out.

He moved to the door, barefoot and bare-chested in divine form, power still thrumming beneath his skin. Jaxi flitted to his side and crammed her tiny hand in his, her panic instantly commanding his shielding power to cover her in symbiotic black goo.

The sight of her in it ignited his Lust and put his Rage on a warpath. He was ready to execute the intrusive beings beyond the door that prevented him from fucking her that second.

Jaxi held his gaze, her ability to know his thoughts filling her eyes with heat and awe. “Really?” she accused him quietly. “You like me that much?”

Another knock. Faster, louder.

Kaos growled and Jaxi giggled. “Be nice, my beautiful beast,” she whispered.

Kaos opened the door.

The cold met him first. Then power. Ancient and stirring.

Kollaborator hurried in, boots sharp on the floor. He caught Jaxi’s eyes first and offered a soft, hurried smile—still tethered to something personal, even in the rush.

“Hello again,” he said, voice low. He turned to the others entering, gesturing at the Heavenly King. “Kildare you’ve met,” he said, turning sharply. “And Kross—our King’s King.”

Kaos held the gaze of his son as he entered, his powers stirring at the last memory they shared.

“Father,” he greeted quietly, coming to stand before him as Kollaborator continued introductions. He covered Kaos’s shoulder with a hand, sending a golden ripple of power through him.

“And this is Larena,” Kollaborator said, her presence drawing Kaos’s curiosity. “Known as the Angel of Mothers. And you’ve met Krave. This is his wife, Josie. Also known as our Lost Saint.”

Kaos froze as his gaze landed on her. His severed Queen.

Jaxi’s hand tightened in his and he realized she knew the second he did.

“Hello,” Josie called with a small wave at him, her eyes landing on Jaxi next. “You must be Jaxi. It's a pleasure to meet you. Very excited to have you on the... team.”

Kaos felt the pull of the Earthly King’s stare but couldn't take his focus off of Jaxi's jealousy now clobbering his powers. A mix of shock, pain, and helpless rage pressed outward like a shield while the severed, phantom bond slipped between his ribs like a blade.

Jaxi’s hand tightened in his till their connection heated up. It soon burned like fire and coated him from head to foot.

She’s protecting us , Kohl marveled the second Kaos realized it too.

She feels what was and what no longer is , Kaos said, needing to bury himself in this fire she wrapped them in.

Kollaborator came before them. “And this is Jaxi,” he announced, glancing up at Kaos. “She bears the seal of the Artifex.”

Kaos and Kohl felt her pulse quicken.

“She is no longer just an artist,” Kollaborator said, turning to the others. “She is the new Pontis—the bearer of cards. Directions are encoded in her creations and every step in this hidden war will now be delivered through her.”

Jaxi didn’t move, but they felt her soul brace as Kollaborator’s gaze shifted to the black square on the wall. He walked toward it like it might speak.

“This is not paint,” he said, pointing at it, glancing toward them. “It’s a veil.” He took several steps back and nodded at it. “It hides five keys,” he murmured, scanning the paint. “And only the fire of your son, Kross, can burn away the cloak that conceals them.”

Kaos lowered his wings around Jaxi, shielding her from all eyes like a jealous lover. She leaned into his body and clung to his arms covering her.

Kross stepped toward the wall and stood next to Kollaborator, staring at the veiled square. His hand ignited with a mix of red, gold and green fire. He stepped closer and waved his arm, sending flames racing over the surface.

He moved back as the fire quietly hissed in pulsing waves over the paint, revealing an image beneath. Not five keys. Five women. Each one bearing unique symbols on their foreheads. Each one different. Each one special. Each one powerful.

Kross slowly returned to the wall, studying them. One hand lifted, then pointed. “This one is calling me.”

It was the one bearing the broken crown symbol on her forehead and fear in her gaze.

“And the others?” the angel of mothers asked.

“The others...” Kross murmured, voice echoing with finality as he peered at each one. “...are daring me to come.” He moved from one to the next, reading, weighing, judging. He paused, looking halfway over his shoulder. “They want to kill me,” he marveled quietly. “Before I can kill them.”

The angel of mothers stepped forward, sliding her fingers over the woman holding fear like a shield. “This one... I know where she is.”

Kaos tightened his hold on Jaxi as Kross stood before the woman on the wall, gaze locked with hers as if he was seeing her. “She’s not just calling...” he said in quiet realization, “...she’s collapsing.”

He faced Larena suddenly. “You must take me to her,” he said, flames rising over every inch of his skin. “Now.”