There were a few murmurs of surprise. Even from behind her. Usually, the Triumvirate needed physical touch to establish a connection, but Effie’s intuition was telling her that they already shared the necessary link for this to work.
Closing her eyes, Effie replayed her time with the Mother for Helena. When they were done, Helena’s eyes shot to hers.
“Do you understand now?” Effie asked.
Helena nodded, flickers of her power flaring in her eyes.
“It would be great if you could fill the rest of us in,” Von said in a bland tone.
Effie laughed. “Helena and I are connected in ways we never expected. Two halves of a much greater whole. We—all of us in this room—are protectors. There is no question in my mind that you will safeguard that which we’ve revealed to you. If for no other reason than your vows precluding you from it. In fact, your vows as the Circle are not that different than ours as Guardians. While it is important that the rest of the world continue to believe in the strength and unfailing power of the Triumvirate, it’s also important that we are united, not just as Elysia’s protectors, but for what we—together—really are: the Mother’s ultimate weapon against the darkness.”
“You speak as though you anticipate another war,” Von said, leaning forward.
“I know only what She deigns to tell me, and that for the first time in history both the Mother’s Vessel and Her Voice walk the realm, each of us in positions of immense power, Helena as Kiri, and I as one of the Triumvirate. Between the two of us, there is more power and knowledge at our disposal than ever before. Moreover, these positions by their very nature rely on the combined strength of those that are bound to us. Helena has her Circle, and I”—Effie gestured to the men behind her—“have the other Guardians. That is no insignificant thing. Nor do I believe in coincidences, not with all that has come to pass. There is a reason we’ve been brought together. We may not yet know what trials lie ahead, but it is without question that it will take all of us, united, to face whatever it is. That kind of trust requires full disclosure. So it was my request—”
“More like demand,” Lucian said in her mind.
“—that there be no secrets between us. They will only see us divided at a time when we can ill afford discord.”
Effie smiled then as silence stretched through the room.
“And you have Seen this?” Timmins asked.
“I don’t need to See it. The Mother speaks through me as She wills.”
Timmins opened and closed his mouth a few times, looking like a gasping fish.
Effie couldn’t help but grin at him. “I know . . . it takes a bit of getting used to.”
Timmins shook his head and gave her one of his fatherly smiles. “Your grandmother would be proud of you. She always told me you were destined for wondrous things.”
Her throat felt tight with emotion, but she managed a wobbly smile and nodded. “Me too. I should have known better than to doubt her.”
“So I guess that means this goodbye is only temporary,” Helena said as she stepped off her throne and moved toward Effie.
“Aren’t they always when it’s between friends of the soul?” Effie asked.
Helena’s expression softened, her eyes looking a little glassy as she pulled Effie in for a hug. “I guess they are. Will you stay in touch? Let me know how you are doing?”
“Yes, of course. Perhaps my letters will actually reach you this time?”
Helena gave a watery laugh. “If not, use one of their portals and find me.”
“It’s a promise,” Effie agreed with a final squeeze. “Until we meet again, Helena.” She let go and gave the others a little wave before starting to turn away.
“Effie, what will you three do in the meantime?” Helena asked.
Effie paused in the act of lifting her hood and looked over her shoulder. “I’m going to finish what we started.” With a last smile, she turned away and headed for the door.
“We,” Lucian said in her mind. “We are going to finish what we started. Together.”
Effie allowed her fingers to brush against his as she moved past him. “Are you referring to what Nord interrupted upstairs or—”
Lucian let out a choked groan. “I am now.”
Twining her fingers through his, Effie gave him a little squeeze. “How about both?”
“Do I get to pick the order?”
“I think Sylverlands can use our help first . . . but after?”
“Count on it. In fact, clear your calendar. I’m claiming the rest of the year. It’s going to take at least that long to do everything I have in mind.”
“I never thought I’d say this, but I already miss Nord.” Kael sighed and shook his head. “I may not be able to hear what you two are saying, yet I feel like I need to take a shower just walking next to all those hormones.”
“Just open the damn portal already,” Lucian griped.
“Hey, Brother, just because you’re suffering from a case of blue balls doesn’t mean you can take it out on me.”
Effie snorted with laughter as Lucian cuffed Kael on the back of the head.
“Fine, fine. No need to be so testy.” Kael winked at Effie before ducking through the shimmering portal he’d seamlessly summoned.
“Ass,” Lucian grunted.
“Think of it this way,” Effie offered, giving his hand a small tug toward the entrance, “the sooner we get this over with, the sooner we can—”
She didn’t get a chance to finish before Lucian pulled her through, her squeals of laughter ringing out and echoing down the hallway long after it vanished behind them.
Epilogue
The Lady of Light sat in her garden and watched the approaching nightfall with no little sense of dread. She knew what the portent brought; what it meant for her children.
He had finally returned, and he was coming for her.
The vibrant blooms she’d just plucked withered and died in her hand. It should have been impossible. She was the mother of creation, and death should not exist in her sanctuary. Yet the proof was impossible to ignore.
There was no time to cry out, no time to hide—not that either would have done any good.
He was here.
“Luna.”
She’d held so many names throughout her immortal existence, but he still remembered her first. That one word uttered in his cold and sensual voice held entirely too much meaning. She’d been named for the moon, the mother that watched over her creation. He’d been named for the night, the endless expanse that held the moon in its glittering darkness.
“Erebos.”
Letting her dead flowers drop to the ground, she looked up, trying hard not to recoil at the sight of him. How could someone so evil look so perfectly beautiful?
“I told you I would return for you, wife.”
She held her body rigid, promising herself that she would not give him the benefit of a reaction. There was little that the Mother feared . . . but she was desperately afraid of him. Of what he would do to her and her Chosen.
He stepped closer, trampling the lavender and gray petals as he moved to stand right before her. Fingers that felt like ice brushed her cheek. “Did you really think you could keep me from you for eternity?”