The Hunchback

by Regine Abel

  Frollo cleared his throat and clasped his hands behind his back. “I never thanked you for interceding on my behalf when the High Seraph wanted to have me stripped of rank and exiled.”

  “Just like I never thanked you for intervening on mine when we all thought he was going to execute me,” I deadpanned, holding his gaze. Frollo snorted and shook his head. “You took my Light to advance your career, take control of Paris, and become the second most powerful man on Eden. In return, you saved my life, gave me a decent life, and a proper education. We’re even.”

  Although he tried to hide it, the Praetor’s relief was palpable. Had he thought I held a grudge that might make me turn on him at a later date?

  “I do have one question for you, though,” I said, tilting my head to the side. “You knew from the beginning I was half-Elohim. The scan you did of my hump would have shown you my wings. Why didn’t you tell the High Seraph?”

  “Honestly, because I had no idea if he would welcome you, or kill you,” Frollo said with a shrug. “And you alive was far more beneficial to me than you dead.”

  It was my turn to snort and shake my head. “Goodbye, Praetor.”

  “Goodbye, Seraph Kwazeem,” Frollo replied, bowing his head with the proper level of respect.

  Walking out of the temple through the main doors without disguise and without fear would never cease to thrill me. Under the admiring gazes of the locals, I spread my black wings and took flight towards Elysium. The wind blew past me in a cool caress as I journeyed through the sky with a sense of freedom in such direct contrast with my years confined in my loft at the top of the spire.

  As I landed on the large terrace outside of our master bedroom, my chest warmed with love feeling the delicate aura of my son, Lucius. Making a beeline for his cradle where my imps were cuddling by his side, I picked him up, and he beamed at me with his adorable toothless grin.

  In this instant, more than any other, it truly sank in. I was no longer the hunchback of Our Lady of Paris, a shameful secret to be kept hidden. I was the Seraph Kwazeem, son of Lantius, angelic prince of Elysium, master blacksmith of the gods, and unifier of the Fallen.

  But of all the titles that had been bestowed upon me, only these two truly mattered: consort to the Anointed Vestal Esmeralda and sire of the young prince Lucius.

  As I gazed upon my son cradled in my arms, I once more marveled at the perfection of his brown skin inherited from his mother, with golden scales around his neck and shoulders, and his silver eyes, identical to mine, staring trustingly back at me. He was the embodiment of the love I never thought one such as me could receive.

  “Never doubt that you are worthy of love and happiness, my son. You are the living proof that love conquers all.” I lifted my head to see my mate approach in a short, diaphanous, white nightgown. Extending an arm towards her, I drew her against me. “And your mother is the proof that as long you stand in Vesta’s light…”

  “…darkness will always be defeated,” Esmeralda concluded for me. “I love you, Kwazeem.”

  “I love you, too, Mera.”

  THE END.

  COSMIC FAIRY TALES SERIES

  All the books in the series read as standalone.

  The Hunchback - by Regine Abel

  Jackie and the Giant - by Honey Phillips

  The Lion and the Mouse - by Emmy Chandler

  Escaping Wonderland - by Tiffany Roberts

  The Ugly Dukeling - by Bex McLynn

  Rampion - by Susan Trombley

  The Frog Prince - by Tracy Lauren

  Contaminated - by Amanda Milo

  ALSO BY REGINE ABEL

  THE VEREDIAN CHRONICLES

  Escaping Fate

  Losing Amalia

  Blind Fate

  Raising Amalia

  Twist of Fate

  BRAXIANS

  Anton’s Grace

  Ravik’s Mercy

  DARK TALES

  Bluebeard’s Curse

  The Mistwalker

  VALOS OF SONHADRA

  Unfrozen

  Iced

  XIAN WARRIORS

  Legion

  Raven

  Bane

  KHARGALS OF DURAS

  Heart of Stone

  OTHER

  Dark Swan

  Alien Awakening

  About Regine

  Regine Abel is a USA Today Bestselling author of sci-fi and paranormal romance. Anything with a bit of magic, a touch of the unusual, and a lot of romance will have her jumping for joy. Hot alien warriors meeting no-nonsense, kick-ass heroine give her warm fuzzies. Through her Veredian Chronicles series, Regine will take you to an exciting alien world full of mystery, action, passion and new beginnings.

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