Page 33

ARI

A ri teleported to their room where Sage was sitting on her laptop, still trying to work out the antidote for the serum. He’d let her keep working as it was her happy place and didn’t want to alarm her.

But that time had now passed.

“Sweetheart.”

“Yup, hi. I’m going to be here while,” Sage replied, not looking up.

Ari gently took the laptop from her, his heart fucking breaking as her eyes snapped up to his. Ignoring the questions within them, he put a hand on the mattress and leaned down, kissing his mate that he’d waited an eternity for.

“I love you. I love you so fucking much,” he said, cupping her face.

“Ari, what is going on?”

“I thank God that I met you, Sage, and experienced the utter joy of being your mate.” He was being selfish, scaring her, but he was giving himself this moment. “Tell me you love me.”

“More than the air I breathe. Plus, you’re hot. But you’re also scaring me, Ari. What is going on?”

The one thing I cannot save you from.

Ari pressed his eyes closed and fought the emotions rolling through him. He’d taken his selfish moment, and now it was time to do what was needed. Opening them once more, he kissed her firmly on the lips, then climbed off the bed.

“Come, we need to join the family.” Ari lifted Sage to her feet, wrapped his arms around his mate, then teleported back to the king.

Brayden, Willow, Isabella, Kate, Vincent, and Lucca were there. Before he could say anything, Craig walked into the room with Brianna.

He was somber, not his usual grumpy self, which confirmed to Ari that Brayden had told him. The commander deserved to know and would keep it from the others.

These last few moments had to be one of peace and joy for those who didn’t need to carry this burden.

“We’re going to join the others in the dining hall,” Craig said, clasping Brayden’s hand and man-hugging him.

Fuck.

Ari looked away, knowing the two males were saying goodbye.

The commander had always been an extended part of the Moretti family, so it was right for him to take this moment with them.

Willow and Brianna were also best friends, as humans and now as vampires.

They could have stayed, but he respected that Craig wanted to be with his warriors. That he could hold space for them as the world went up in flames. It was a credit to his strength and loyalty.

Ari had sensed the Moretti blood running in the big vampire’s veins when he first met him. Ari didn’t know how or why it didn’t disappear as usually happened, but it bonded him to the family in a way he was sure Craig didn’t understand.

Maybe Brayden didn’t either.

But it was there.

Only the Moretti’s knew of the power of their blood and clearly the vampire had kept it a secret for as long as he’d had it inside of him. For that, Ari was grateful and respected him even more.

“Okay, can someone tell me what is happening here?” Brianna asked.

“I can’t.” Sage shook her head.

Ari watched the two males share a longer look, and his heart tightened. Then Craig drew in a breath, shook Vincent’s hand, and turned to do the same to Ari.

“Say goodbye to the princess,” Craig said, and startled as she did as was told, racing over and hugging Willow.

“What’s happening? It’s not...please no.”

“Go with Craig. I love you Bri,” Willow said quietly, despite all of them being able to hear.

“Ari.” Sage grabbed a handful of his white shirt and her eyes listed to his in question. “No. Not now. It can’t be.”

“It’s okay. We are together.” Wrapping his arm tightly around her, he glanced at Brayden. The same pain was reflected in his eyes.

Kate sat watching her son play with Isabella and looked so alone, so pained, that the children’s lives were about to be over.

Ari’s fury grew.

Vincent went to her.

“Kate.” She glanced up, and he cupped her face. “I’m so fucking sorry.”

Through tears, she shook her head. “Language, Vincent.”

Ari smiled at how ridiculous her comment was, but they needed the normality.

Vincent simply nodded and looked down at his heir. Lucca would never sit on the throne.

God! You motherfucker. I hated you for turning me into a vampire the moment you did it and I hate that you are sitting back and letting this just fall apart.

We did everything you asked of us.

I lost my brother to this curse. Now we are all losing. All of us! Humans. The planet. Vampires.

Fuck you!

He dropped his head as he heard Craig and Brianna leave the room and pulled Sage against his chest, drawing in her comforting scent.

He wasn’t going to tell her. Ari couldn’t say the words. He needed to just hold her and love her.

Beside him, he heard Brayden and Willow.

“My beautiful princess. Fuck I’m so sorry,” the prince said.

“Stop, Bray. You’ve never let me down. Not ever. Nor your daughter.” Willow cried softly. “If this is how it ends, at least we are together, and she knows we love her.”

Sage sobbed into his shirt.

When Ari glanced up, his eyes met Vincent’s. The king carried all of this on his shoulders because of his role, but he was wrong.

It was he and Gio who started this whole thing.

The entire planet was now about to be obliterated because Ari hadn’t stepped up and taken the appropriate steps when he’d seen the writing on the wall. He’d respected his nephew as the true king.

Which he was.

But where had his respect gotten them?

God, just in case you missed my first message...FUCK YOU!