“What did you do to me?” he asks.
Satisfaction warms my chest. “I made it so you’ll never hurt the Firmament again. You’re human now, Alden. And you’re staying that way. No more magic or powers.”
On the plus side, you’ll make lot of new friends in jail.
“Don’t be crazy. I’m the Scintillion.” He wiggles in my grip. It’s tricky to hold him without crushing him to death.
My limbs tremble with worry. Alden’s really not getting that he’s human now. “Be careful. I don’t want to hurt you.”
“You can’t hurt me, you dumb bitch. No one can.” Alden thrashes around so much, he slides from my grip and tumbles through the clouds.
“Alden, no!”
My pulse races. I dive after Alden, hoping to catch him midair. He’s nowhere to be found. I wing my way around the mountain. Alden’s body lies on a craggy ledge near the summit. Dead. It happened so quickly, the guy didn’t even have time to scream.
Sadness weighs down my heart. This is the real reason demon patrol and I don’t get along. Any loss of life feels like a tragedy to me.
I gently pick up Alden and take back to the air. His lifeless body hangs limp in my talons. What a waste. Alden had so many gifts and he only used them to take power into himself. What if he could have helped someone else for once?
The question sparks an idea in my mind. There might be a way that Alden’s death can make things better for the Void demons. If I can turn Alden back to a human, maybe I can do the same for the Void, too. My eyebrows furrow as I think through the necessary spells.
My heart lightens.
It’s possible.
There’s just one catch. There are too many Void demons for me to do this alone. I need magical help.
Arcing in a new direction, I fly off in search of Tempest.
# # #
Tempest and I stand before the hundreds of open graves created by Alden. We’re in human form now. I shiver in disgust and regret. “Let’s try another scanning spell.”
“We’ve cast it fifty times, luv. It’s going to tell us the same thing.”
Disappointment presses in around me. I know Tempest is right. These Void demons aren’t like the Scintillion. Alden must have consumed so much power, it allowed him to transform back into human form. These Void aren’t the same. The most Tempest and I can do is set their souls free.
I stiffen my spine.
No, there must be another option.
“Maybe we can bring in some other experts in magic. See if they have any ideas.”
Tempest pulls me to his side. “Do you think there’s a better expert out there on the Void than you?”
I lean into his touch and sigh. “If there were, I’d have found them years ago.”
“And do you think anyone can deliver more magic to this spell than we can?”
Sadness tightens in my throat. “No, I don’t.”
A pained groan sounds from one of the opened graves. Tempest sighs. “These poor souls have suffered enough. Let’s set them free, luv.”
From the first time I faced the Void in the cornfield, I always felt that they weren’t evil. Tempest is right. We have to do what we can to free them now. And since we can’t give them their mortal lives back, we can at least start them on their after-lives. From there, their own past actions will determine their fate… Not the Scintillion. Alden is already meeting his afterlife. I doubt it will be pleasant.
Tempest softly kisses my temple. “Shall we use the same spell we did on your Sacred Tree?”
“Yes.” I slip my hand into his. His touch is warm and firm. Somehow, that gives me the strength to go on. I straighten my shoulders. Tempest and I begin the incantation. The combined energy comes back to us even more quickly this time. I sense the liquid magic building up behind us. It’s as if the power knows what it’s about to be used for and can’t wait to start.
The energy turns so intense, the liquid force churns around my feet. Tempest and I share a small nod and raise our joined hands. A tidal wave of golden liquid energy rushes out from behind us and covers the ground with magic. One by one, ghosts rise from their graves and float off toward Purgatory. Their faces are calm, eyes closed in relief. The spell ends. A peaceful quiet overtakes the graveyard.
My shoulders slump.
We did it.
Suddenly, it’s like I can’t remember ever being so tired. My legs feel rubbery beneath me. I look to Tempest with half-open eyes. “Remember how I’m always saying there isn’t time to rest?”
Tempest offers me a sleepy smile. That casting did a number on him, too. “Yes, luv?”
“Well, now I really need to rest.”
“As my Empress commands.”
And even though I’m so tired I could sleep standing up, there’s no denying the jolt of joy those four words bring.
Chapter Twenty
Tempest and I knock on the door to Maxon’s mead hall. After taking a quick nap, we headed off to my brother’s cloud castle. The place is pretty stark. Gray brick walls, flagstone floors, and arched stone ceilings. Good news is that the doorman confirmed my family’s here. At least, Alden didn’t lie about that.
Footsteps sound on the other side of the door. “Who’s there?”
“It’s me, Portia.”
The door whips open to reveal a very tired but very happy Mom. She wraps me in a huge hug. “Baby! You’re safe!”
“We did it,” I say breathlessly. “The Firmament’s fixed.”
Mom’s thin arms keep an iron-tight grip on my shoulders. “I knew you could do it.” She barely gives Tempest a glance. “Thanks for taking care of my baby.” Mom calls over her shoulder. “Look, everyone! Our Portia is back!”
My family crowds into the doorway all at once. There’s Pops and Grandma Cam. G and Dad. Hildy, Lianna, and Walker. I’m pulled into one hug after the next, and everyone asks the same question: “What happened?”
I finally pull away from their embraces. “We rejuvenated the Firmament. That’s the short story, anyway. Everything should be fine now.”
“That’s my angel girl,” says Pops. “I knew you could do it!”
“I wasn’t alone.” I grab Tempest’s hand and pull him to my side. “Tempest helped me.”
A voice pipes up from across the room. “Yeah, looks like he did.”
For the first time, I notice Maxon standing in a far corner. He didn’t come over to hug me hello or ask any questions about what happened with the Firmament. My brother folds his arms over his chest. He’s wearing jeans, a T-shirt, and a look that could kill.
Tempest wraps his arm over my shoulder. “What do you mean by that, M?”
An electric sense of alarm charges through the air. No one seems to breathe anymore.
“Look, guys.” I take a pointed step away from Tempest. “Maybe we should all be happy that the after-realms are safe now. No one’s about to die in an apocalyptic fiasco. We even wiped out the Void, too. I think that’s a great thing to focus on. Right, Maxon?”
My brother totally ignores me. Maxon keeps glaring hot death at Tempest. My pulse skitters out of control. Any kind of boyfriend interaction is new to me. But family and boyfriend turmoil is way out of my comfort zone. I scan the room for support. “What do you guys say? Don’t you think we should be focusing on the world not ending?”
None of them meet my gaze. My eyes widen in shock. They aren’t going to back me up on this one. When I speak, my voice is little more than a squeak. “What’s the problem, guys?”
“I’ll tell you what the problem is,” says Maxon. “You’re walking in the door holding hands with the greater demon of lust and wrath, who I happen to know is a messed up piece of work.”
My jaw drops. “I can’t believe this.”
“No one’s trying to take anything away from you,” says Maxon. “You saved the after-realms. But I won’t stand here and let it slide that you went ahead and did exactly what you promised you wouldn’t do.” He points at Tempest.
My neck muscles cord with held-in anger. “I’m an adult, Maxon. Things happened that changed my mind. How about asking a few questions before you go off on a tear?”
“Okay, I’ve got a question.” Maxon rounds on Tempest. “Why’d you do it, T?”
Tempest’s face is the picture of calm. “Do what, exactly?”
“How can you ask me that?” Maxon’s body flies apart in a puff of smoke, only to re-form a second later, right in front of Tempest. “My sister has a goddamn tail, T!”
My tail, which had been swaying casually behind me, now stops cold. Embarrassment and rage battle it out inside me. I can’t decide if I want to cast an invisibility spell or punch my brother in the nose.
Lianna takes a few careful steps toward Maxon. “Look, babe. We all need to stay calm here.”
“I’m calm.” Maxon cracks his neck from side to side. I know that move. It’s what my brother does when he’s about to kick someone’s ass. And the way he’s glaring at Tempest? There’s not a lot of wiggle room about whose ass he’s targeting.
“So, what do you have to say, T?” asks Maxon. “Why does my sister have a tail?”
“Hey.” Once again, I step right between Maxon and Tempest. “I’m right here. Do you want to know why I have a tail? Ask me.”
Maxon ruffles my hair like I’m twelve years old. “Don’t worry. I was in line for the throne of Furonium. I know what a tail means.” He glares at Tempest again. “Especially one with red scales.”
The tension level spikes. Dad and Pops firm their bodies into battle stance. Mom’s tail arcs menacingly over her shoulder. My brows lift in disbelief. Am I dreaming this? I just saved the after-realms and my family is freaking out about my choice in men? I glare at Maxon. “Can we not do this now, Maxon?”
“You don’t get it,” growls Maxon. “I still struggle with what Armageddon did to me in Hell. And that didn’t even last a week. T had years with Chimera. Some things change you and there’s no going back. He is not dragging you down with him.” Maxon pokes Tempest in the chest. “What’s really going on here? Couldn’t handle it when I became an elemental? Then you should’ve talked to me. You don’t go around screwing with my sister’s head.”
“That’s enough!” Rage churns through me. I call on my inner dragon. She’s there in a heartbeat. Red scales appear all over my skin. Crimson wings arch over my shoulders. My tail points directly at Maxon’s nose. Finally, I have my brother’s full attention.
“Don’t think I don’t know what’s going on here.” I gesture across the room. “With all of you. Mom and Gram, since when you do thank someone who saved my life with less enthusiasm than the guy who serves your coffee? And the rest of you, how come you’re letting Maxon spout all this garbage?”
I pause, giving them a chance to speak. They don’t. Their battle stances relax, but the wary looks stay on their faces. My blood heats.
“Well, if you won’t answer, I will. You all told me not to judge on appearances, and now you’re doing just that. Tempest is not a title. He’s not whatever reputation he had twenty years ago.” I stare right at Maxon. “And he’s not whatever Chimera did to him. He’s Tempest. He’s a man who stood by me as a peer and partner throughout this whole ordeal. He’s someone who has earned my heart and I can only be amazed that I’ve earned his as well.”
I lean into Tempest’s side. His arm winds around my waist. The touch is comforting. “We love each other. I’m his Empress. It’s your choice whether to join in our happiness.”
A long moment of silence follows. Emotions battle it out in my soul. Love for Tempest. Disappointment in everyone else. And a little sense of pride that no matter what happens, I said what I needed to.
Dad steps forward to break the silence. “I’m ashamed, Portia. I should have trusted you to make the right decision; you’ve a beautiful heart and a brilliant mind. For the record, you both have my blessing.”
“You have my blessing, too,” says G.
Pops comes next. “Your gram and I wish you all the best.”
One by one, the rest of my family steps forward to add their good wishes. My heart warms. Once they’re all done, it takes me a few seconds to pull myself together and reply. Even then, my voice breaks. I can only manage a few short words. “Thank you.”
Maxon frowns. “I can’t believe this.” His body changes into smoke and wafts away. Fresh disappointment weighs down my heart. How can he do this?
Lianna turns to me. “Give Maxon some time. This brings up bad memories for him.” She gives my hand a gentle squeeze. “Excuse me.” Her body transforms into mist as she disappears after him.
I lean more deeply into Tempest’s side. All the excitement’s getting to me again. Tempest guides me toward the door. “Come away, Portia. You need your sleep.”
I barely remember saying my goodbyes and stumbling out of Maxon’s castle. I vaguely recall laying in Tempest’s arms as he sprouted wings in his semi-human form and flew us back to Furonium. I can’t recall being set into his bed, although I’m sure it happened. But there’s one thing I’ll never forget.
My new life started today and it has my family’s blessing.
Chapter Twenty-One
Tempest and I stand on the roof of the Emperor’s Palladium. It’s a modern high-rise that’s our center of operations. Below us, the red landscape of Furonium stretches out in every direction. A large crowd quietly waits by the base of the building. Anticipation charges the air. It’s a big day.
Tempest and I wear special leathers for the occasion. Mine are red; his are black. Both sets are sleeveless to show the armscale pattern that marks us a mated pair.
As we stand side by side, Tempest rests his large hand on my lower back. Warmth radiates from his palm, sending shivers up my spine.
“Are you ready?” he asks, his voice growly and low. “It’s a big moment and there’s no cause to rush.”
Tempest makes a good point. Am I ready to start the official Procession that will mark the beginning of my reign as Empress?
“You ready?” I ask.
“More than.” Once again, Tempest’s deep voice makes my toes curl. I’ve heard that voice while doing all sorts yummy things over the last two months. We’re taking things slow and I couldn’t be happier. I blush at the memories.
Tempest quirks his brows. “You with me, Portia?” The sly look in his eyes says he knows exactly where my mind was.
My blush deepens. “I’m ready, Tempest.”
“Brilliant.” Tempest winds his free arm up my neck, and pulls me in for a slow, hot, and mind-numbing kiss. My body heats with desire. Tempest leans back and meets my gaze. I shoot him a sly look of my own. “I thought we were talking about the Procession.”