Chapter 39

My mind was reeling. I hadn't begun to process everything that had happened. I'd made a deal with myself to take everything second by second because otherwise I would cease functioning. I would curl up in a ball right here on the staircase and sob until I died of dehydration. Or a broken heart.

Don't think about it, Dahlia.

One second at a time.

Focus on the feel of Tor's hand against yours. How many steps until you reach the top? Seven more. You can make it seven—six more stairs.

We came out behind the estate near the lake. The grounds were eerily quiet back here. Most of the fighting had taken place on the other side of Blackwood. I wasn't sure what we'd find waiting for us when we got there, but I was pretty sure it was going to look like the aftermath of a Civil War reenactment, aka bodies fucking everywhere.

One body in particular would be waiting.

Breathe, Dahlia. Just breathe.

Feel the air against your cheeks.

As we rounded the estate and approached the battleground, I braced myself. I didn't want to see the carnage. I'd lived it once already.

Maybe that was why the sound of voices startled me. These were not throes of battle voices. These were calm, talking about the weather voices. Or at least that's what it sounded like as the main courtyard came into view.

The fighting had officially stopped, and villagers and residents alike were scattered across the field. As with any natural disaster, the mood varied wildly from group to group. Some folks wailed, mourning the loss of friends and loved ones. Others celebrated that they'd survived. Some were still in shock and stared unblinkingly around them. And then there were those who were more akin to first responders, walking around the field to check for the injured and potentially to see if they could find a missing companion.

It was easy to tell the dead from the living now. Every last zombie was nothing more than dust where they'd fallen.

"What... How did you guys stop them? I lost control."

"It wasn't us, gem. It was the angel Gabriel."

"How?"

"The power to smite isn't used lightly, but that looks like exactly what he did," Hades mused.

"Ohmigod, Dahlia!" Oz cried, rushing over to me and nearly knocking me over when he wrapped his arms around my neck and squeezed. "You're alive! I was so worried."

I hugged him back, relief making me sag against him when I spotted Bru walking at a more leisurely pace toward us. Tor's handsome handler grinned at me, and I hoped to God or whoever was up there that none of them remembered me killing them all. I wasn't going to say a damn word.

"Sorcha?" I asked.

"That cockroach?" he said with a watery laugh. "It'll take more than a couple grumpy villagers and some zombies to take her out."

"So where is she?"

"Took off as soon as the wards fell. A lot of people did. The Council is going to have their hands full when they realize they have escapees to round up," Bru answered, gently pulling Oz away from me so he could hold him. It was such a Tor move that I couldn't help but swoon a little.

"The wards are really down? We can leave?" I asked, disbelief coating my question. "Kiki will be so..." The words died on my tongue.

Kiki would be nothing. Kiki was gone. She was dead, and I was responsible.

"No, gem," Kai whispered, his fingers brushing my arm until he shackled my wrist. "She told you not to blame yourself."

"Where is she?" I asked, glancing around the grounds and not finding a trace of her.

A tall blond man dressed in black leather strode toward our little group from where he'd been standing in the middle of the battlefield. I'd clocked him earlier but assumed he was just a villager.

"I took care of her, Dahlia."

"Who the fuck are you?"

His chest puffed out, and he opened his mouth to speak, but Hades stopped him. "He's Gabriel. The angel."

All the air left the angel in a rush of pure annoyance. "What he said."

"Who told you to do that, Gabriel?" I snapped, panic and grief clawing their way through the Kiki-sized hole in my heart. How was I supposed to say my goodbyes now?

"It was do that or let zombies desecrate her body. I assumed you'd rather she be cared for and laid to rest."

"Where is she?" I insisted.

"Well, I..." Gabriel glanced from me to Hades, almost as though he was pleading for help.

I didn't blame him. I was scary.

"It doesn't matter where she is, baby doll. Her physical form may be gone, but you're forgetting one key benefit of being mated to me."

I frowned, locking eyes with him. "Which is?"

"I can take you to see her whenever your heart desires. Every damn day if you so choose. She may be dead, but she's not gone. It's more like a relocation."

I could already hear Kiki's long-distance relationship jokes.

"Can you take me there now?" I think the question came out somewhere above a plea, but just shy of a beg.

"Don't see why not. The wards are down, and there's not really anything keeping us here anymore."

Tor's arm snaked around my waist. "You'll take all of us."

Hades sighed but nodded. "I thought that went without saying."

"You're Hades, nothing goes without saying," Tor countered.

"Fair enough."

"Are you satisfied with that, Dahlia? Although, honestly, after what the five of you caused, I don't technically owe you anything." Gabriel crossed his arms over his chest.

"Why are you still here, then?" I asked.

He cocked one blond eyebrow. "Because there's more work to be done yet."

"We just closed a portal to hell and stopped a rabid army of the dead. What more is there?" Technically, I didn't know where the portal led, but given who my mother was, one could only assume.

"I suppose it's none of your concern now. You've done your part. You survived. Congratulations."

"Anyone else think he's being sarcastic?" Hook asked.

Hades shot Gabriel a considering look. "You were wrong."

"Was I?"

"You said the world would end if we stayed with her. Look around, angel. We're all still standing."

"Hmm..."

I think it was safe to say that the angel Gabriel was not my favorite person. Not only was he underwhelmed by what we accomplished, but he also exuded a strong sense of disappointment. Or maybe that was disapproval. Either way, not a fan. I'd like to see how he'd handle being crucified by his own mother. Probably not too well. He'd probably cry.

"Well, as lovely as it's been shooting the shit with an angel and all, I need to see my bestie. My lord Hades, would you mind?"

"You kidding? I've been waiting for you to ask since I remembered who I was. Let's go home, baby doll. I know there's at least one pup there who will be happy to see you."

"We won't be stuck there, will we?" Kai asked.

Hades shook his head. "No. In fact, there's a bit of a limit on how long the living can stay in my realm. So we'll have to make other plans eventually."

"I think I'd like to return to Faerie at some point. I have some matters to address with the Shadow Court," he said, giving my hand a squeeze.

"And I will need to return to Novasgard. My parents won't forgive me if I keep my mate from meeting them." Tor frowned after he said that, his fingers lifting to touch the horns on his head. "Though I don't know how my mother will handle my new appearance."

I stood up on my tiptoes to kiss his cheek. "She will love you no matter what, because you are her son."

"Do any of you get seasick?" Caspian asked, mischief in his tone.

"I'm not sure. I've never been on a boat," I admitted. "Why?"

"Because now that I've got my compass back, I want to take us all on a cruise to Ravenndel. We'll have to pop to Alaska first and pick up my ship and the crew, but then I'll show you wonders you never thought could exist."

"I don't know about that. I wrote about vampires and ghosts before I knew they existed. I have a pretty spectacular imagination, pirate."

"I know you do, darling girl, which is why I love putting it to use."

Gabriel made a gagging noise. "I thought you were all leaving."

Hades chuckled. "We are. Keep your feathers on."

It seemed so easy; I would've missed his intense focus if I hadn't been watching him, but Hades opened a portal to the underworld right next to where the angel was standing. So close, in fact, Gabriel jumped out of the way. Clearly he did not want a ride downstairs.

"You ready, baby doll?" Hades asked, holding out a hand.

I took it, glancing at each of my men in turn. "Embark on a lifetime of adventure with four handsome men who are devoted to me?" I smirked. "Let's do it. I'm ready to live like one of my heroines."

"Does that mean we get to live happily ever after?" Hook asked.

We'd already stepped through the portal, so I couldn't be sure, but I would have bet my left tit that Gabriel's voice floated after us.

"For now."