Chapter 22

Everything changed after the third Echo of Calamity finally ended. I'd taken too long to resolve it, so the world had suffered for it.

Humanity had nearly died out, with humans having been either converted into supernaturals, or wiped out after the final battle when Calamity had unleashed its chaos over the Earth.

Calamity had finally left this realm… but I knew it wasn't gone for good. It had retreated and readied itself for the next wave.

That would be another Champion's task, not mine, but I still felt guilty about it.

Now I knew how my mother felt. I wasn't even sure who the next Champion would be, but if I had a daughter and she had to take on that burden, I wasn't sure how I would bear it.

I made a point to visit her more often, especially now that I spent most of my time between the Academy grounds and various retreats on Earth.

I was trying to help both worlds rebuild, but it was stretching me thin.

Which was probably why I'd been stupid enough to agree to a wedding, after everything my father had put us through. Even if he'd picked the wrong side, he'd tried to make things right. So, I would extend the olive branch.

Plus, Olivia and Trevor had already gotten married, making me feel left out.

"My gods, Lils!" Olivia shrieked from the entryway, gleaming at me. "You're beautiful!"

"She's the beautifulest!" Yuri wholeheartedly agreed as she mouthed a hairpin and worked on my curls. Without goddess magic, it wasn't as simple as summoning myself everything I needed anymore.

As much fun as that had been, I didn't mind doing things the old fashioned way.

Olivia pinched the vampire's cheek as she joined in ironing my hair and making me laugh.

"I can't believe you got married without me," I said, pouting when she made a face. "Can you do it again, just for me, please?"

Olivia patted my hand. "Trevor and I were just trying to do our part when things were rough there for a minute. We didn"t know where you'd gone and Derek made a lot of promises of what he could do with the power boost of a marriage union on his territory between a demigod and a retired Blood Witch."

I made a face. "You're not a retired Blood Witch. You're my best friend!"

She smiled. "I think that holds more value, honestly. He should have led with that."

A surprise visitor made me jump to my feet as a male with rainbow hair and ruby red eyes entered the room.

"Raze!" I shouted excitedly as I twirled and threw my arms around his neck.

I had never been so happy to see the Unicorn Shifter in all my life.

"I thought that…" I couldn't finish my sentence as Raze peeled me off and chuckled. I took note of some cuts and bruises still healing over his exposed arms and neck, but otherwise he seemed okay. "Just a scratch he assured me," then flipped over his bag. "I have a wedding present."

When the little unicorn bunny appeared, I nearly lost it. "Uni!" I screamed, then laughed at the fluffy creature dove into my arms.

Uni nuzzled my cheek, chittered at me, then immediately dove into my downy wing as if eager to return to where she belonged.

Raze gave me a fond smile. "You look beautiful, Lily. Your Virutes are some lucky guys."

I winked at him. "Jealous?"

He smiled, but it was a genuine gesture that reached his eyes. "The Dean was right. You really didn't pay attention very well in class."

When he didn't elaborate, I glanced at Yuri and Olivia, who both whispered to each other and giggled.

I really had no idea what that meant, and I frowned, not sure if I wanted to.

Yuri patted Raze on the shoulder. "Don't worry, rainbow boy. I'm sure there's a special girl out there somewhere, waiting to pop that pretty cherry of yours."

My eyes widened.

"So you're a vir—"

My question was cut off when my mother appeared at the door. "It's time!" she said excitedly.

I rolled my eyes.

Who knew the Queen of Hell was a fan of weddings?