“You don’t deserve to be proud of her,” Roc spit at Chaos as Erebus flashed away. Will hunt him, find him, end him. “You will move out of my way. You cannot deny me my right to avenge my woman.”
“What crime did my son commit?” Chaos asked.
“Roc?”
Taliyah’s sweet voice pierced his mind, a whisper from the beyond. His guts twisted as if he’d driven the blade there.
“Roc?” she asked more forcefully.
Taliyah? His heart leaped and he spun, gaze darting. Enemy phantoms evaporated on the ground. The winning team was spread throughout the garden, daring anyone else to appear. The Skyhawk sisters surrounded Taliyah’s body and—
She lived!
He flashed over, shoving everyone out of the way to crouch at her side. She was alive, her eyes open, her chest rising and falling. With a cry, he yanked her into his arms.
38
Seconds after stabbing herself and awakening fully healed, Taliyah found herself in bed with Roc. He’d flashed her out of the garden, away from the action and her concerned family. Not to mention the prying eyes of both Astra and harpy alike.
He eased her onto the foot of the bed and knelt before her, his body between her legs. Gripping her thighs, pouring warmth into her flesh, he issued a one-word demand. “How?”
“I don’t know!” Darkness had come; then consciousness had returned. As if her pilot light had been blown out, then relit...with a hotter flame. Power flowed through her veins, a newly awakened river of lightning.
“How else?” The harsh voice came from across the room, where Chaos appeared. “A true sacrifice is power, and power is life. Had you, Ian or Solar ever earned such devotion from a bride before, you would have returned to your brides, the cycle ended.”
Roc bowed his head with shame. “You told me she would not recover.”
“No. I told you Taliyah would not return, and she hasn’t. She is a new creature.” The god continued, oddly proud. “She made her sacrifice, earning her ninth star. As the current harpy General, she has now fought herself and won, earning her tenth. She has ascended. Death won’t come so easily for her.”
She glanced down at her wrist and gasped. He was right. Ten stars!
Chaos shifted his gaze to Roc. “You made your sacrifice, as well, by placing another’s well-being above your own. But you will not ascend until and unless your men complete their coming tasks, as well. You entered the cycle of blessing and cursing together, and you’ll leave it together. Just know the tasks and the order are...twisting. Prepare your men.”
Maybe PopPop wasn’t so bad? “What of Erebus?” She wanted her father dead as soon as possible.
“Like you, Erebus won’t be so easily defeated next time.” Chaos arched a brow. “He has won the newest weapon, after all.”
Roc tensed up. “Which is?”
The god shrugged. “You’ll find out soon enough.”
“What of you? Have you ascended?” Bitterness, joy and fury layered her husband’s tone.
Chaos merely smiled and flashed away, husband and wife alone.
Roc wasted no time, throwing his arms around her. “You were willing to die for me.”
“Um, I did die for you,” she teased, returning the hug with all her strength. “You gave up everything for me.”
“You are my everything.”
The door burst open, her family flooding into the room, demanding a full accounting for what had transpired. Even Strider, Sabin and Lysander entered, though her consorts-in-law glared murder at Roc the entire time. The Astra arrived next, barely beating the harphantoms, who ghosted through the walls.
A thousand voices tangled together. Some she heard louder than others. “What happened?”
“Did you see T-bomb defeat death itself?”
“Now can I punish the Astra for putting my sis in danger?”
Well. He’d once wanted a family of his own. Now he had a brood.
Taliyah laughed at his bemused look. “Christmases are going to be fun.”
* * *
Roc sat on the Harpy throne, with the General perched on his lap. Only a day had passed since the ceremony, but so much had changed.
Taliyah had already received six challenges for General, all of which she’d won. Actually, she’d received eight others, but those eight eventually rescinded their challenges after watching her fight. She no longer hid her phantom abilities and utterly destroyed her opponents, misting and embodying at will. They survived only because she had willed it so.
Roc had cheered her on, calling out, “She’s mine. Do you see her? Mine.” His men might have been a little impressed, as well.
Usually after a ceremony, the Astra returned to Nova to prepare for the next task. This cycle, they’d chosen to remain in Harpina and celebrate their victory with everyone involved.
The harphantoms stood lined up by the walls, watching with haunted eyes. They had suffered for so long. With time, effort and Taliyah’s help, they would recover.
The Lords of the Underworld had decided to mingle a bit longer, as well. No matter where they stood, they continued to glare at Roc. Apparently, his I will not apologize for aiding my wife speech hadn’t gone over well.
Blythe sat on one of the many chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, observing Roux’s every move. Judging by the stiffness of the warlord’s posture, he was not unaware.
Isla danced in the middle of the room with Taliyah’s sisters. The little girl smiled, yet she projected sadness. She’d lost her father, and Roc...regretted. If there were something he could do, he would. Already he had an idea. But Roux would need to spend more time in the Hall of Secrets first...
Laughter caught his attention. He glanced about the room, where his army mingled with Taliyah’s. Both groups were having fun.
The Astra stood in formation behind the throne, choosing to remain set apart from the crowd. Roc had delivered Chaos’s message, so the warlords remained keyed up. They didn’t know what weapon Erebus received, or who would be given the next task, or even what that task would be.
What Roc did know? With a woman like Taliyah on their side, they couldn’t lose. Failure wasn’t even a possibility.
“I wish Aurora and Twila were here,” Taliyah said.
“One day, they will be. When I ascend, I’ll be taking them from Chaos.” The god might have come through in the end, but he’d also made a choice. He’d saved Erebus from Roc’s sword, proving where his loyalties lay. So, he would share his son’s fate.