“They’re alive. Knocked out but alive.” Beckett ran his hand over Nova’s hair, smoothing it away from her face.
“Tuck.” I grabbed onto his arms. “What just happened? Why the earthquake?” Exhaustion hit me harder than I ever remembered. I swayed on my feet, yet fought to keep my eyes open. Black feathers fell down around us. I looked at the sky to see eight figures circling over us like vultures. “Matteaus?”
One by one they dropped from the sky. Each time they landed it sounded like a boulder crashing. They were weighed down with weapons strapped around their bodies. Matteaus was the last one to land at the center of them all. His hulking black wings were fully extend out to the sides and his swords hung low around his hips.
He stormed up to Tuck and me. “And so it begins. I hope you’re ready.”
Ready? Ready for what? I wanted to ask him so many questions, but I couldn’t get the words out. My eyes rolled in my head and this time I didn’t fight my lids from closing. I collapsed into Tuck’s arms, letting the blackness swallow me. What did he mean?
And so it begins. I hope you’re ready . . .
Chapter 35
Zinnia
Warmth, so much warmth was wrapped around my body. A thick plush blanket was draped over me. I sucked in a deep breath and forced my eyes open. Soft fire light flickered over the canvas walls. A white fluffy pillow was tucked under my head. In the distance the sound of a party in full swing filled the air. They celebrate his death.
“I thought you’d never wake up.”
My entire body ached as I slowly turned over to face Tuck. “Hi.”
“Hey.” He reached up and plucked up a piece of my hair and wound it between his fingers. “How do you feel?”
“I honestly don’t know.” I’d lost both my parents within a day of each other at my own hand. I didn’t know if that made me a monster or a savior. “I can’t decide if I’m a monster or not.”
“Can I decide for you?” His auburn hair was sprawled out over the white pillow under his head. His lip pulled up into that half cocky grin I loved so much.
“Please do.” I pulled my hand out from under the blanket and grabbed his. I wound my fingers between his and lay there, pressing our palms together.
“You’re not a monster. You’re wonderful. You saved your mom. I heard from the school a few hours ago, she’s preserved in the same state we left her in. Though it was difficult for anyone to get close enough to check because of Kumi guarding her. Ashryn finally went back and checked for herself. Zinnia, you saved us all.” He brought our joined hands to his lips and pressed a kiss to my skin. “I would know. You’re my soul mate. I know you best.”
I’d been through so much loss, my mother, my father. I still didn’t know how I felt about that, but I knew how I felt about Tuck, how I always felt about him. “Speaking of soul mate stuff.” I glanced down at our conjoined hands and our soul mate marks pressed up against each other.
“Yes?” He arched his eyebrow at me.
“I want to complete the soul mate bonding. I don’t ever want to walk into another situation knowing that if I lose you I’ll have to live without you. If you go, I go.”
“So, what I’m hearing is you want to make this a sure thing?” When I looked into his honey eyes, I melted on the spot. I wanted Tuck more than I wanted anything. I always had and I always would.
“Do you?” I held my breath. What if he didn’t want me anymore? Not after I took down Alataris.
“Of course I do. I just want to make sure you’re ready for this. Because once you got me, you’re stuck with me.” He winked.
“Oh, I want you. Here and now, with just the two of us.”
“Zin, don’t you want the others to witness it? It’s kind of a big deal.” He kiss the back of my hand.
I shook my head. “I don’t need anyone besides you.”
“Then repeat after me.” He took my other hand in his. We lay there in the quiet of our own tent. The fire crackled with flickering soft light. My legs were intertwined with his. It was just the two of us. It would always be the two of us against the world. But for now all I wanted was this with him. From the first time I saw him at a party I wanted Tucker Brand all for my own. I loved him and he loved me. Now we would solidify it in the privacy of our own tent.
“Okay.”
“In the unending, boundless abyss I find in you that which I never knew I missed.”
I repeated after him all the while staring into is eyes.
“I am yours and you are mine. This vow I make to the end of time. Two become one until the setting of our last sun. I bind myself to you through skies of gray or blue. I will devote my life to you and only you.”
I swallowed the butterflies in my stomach. “I am yours and you are mine. This vow I make to the end of time. I bind myself to you through skies of gray or blue. I will devote my life to you and only you.”
Tuck continued, “Two become one until the setting of our last sun.”
“Two become one until the setting of our last sun.”
He pressed his soul mate mark to mine. Brilliant light sparkled from the little pearly beads within the infinity signs. The light traveled down our arms across our shoulders and resonated in our chests. My heart skipped a beat then started a new rhythm I’d never felt before.
I pressed my other hand to his chest and felt his beating. “We match now.”
“Yeah, we do.” He leaned forward and pressed his lips to mine. Electricity shot through my body and my toes curled under the blanket.
Something prickled at the back of my mind and I pulled away for a second. “What do think Matteaus meant when he said and so it begins . . . I hope you’re ready? It sounded bad.”
“I have no idea what he meant.” He reached up and ran his fingers through my hair. “I only know that no matter what happens next I’m with you to the end . . . always.”
I pressed my lips back to his, letting the smoldering heat between us ignite. “Always.”
Epilogue
Beckett
“The party just started. Look over there Serrina, Tabi, Nova and O are dancing their asses off and I fully intend to join in. What the bloody hell do you mean we have to go home?” Grayson slashed his hands through the air. “To the house of Shade? No, not bloody well likely.”
It was true, just two blocks away the four queens danced around a bonfire that nearly touched the sky. They smiled and hugged each other like nothing in the world could touch them ever again. They held their glasses out to Ophelia who pulled a small vial out of her jacket and spiked each of their drinks. They clanked their glasses together then sucked them down. The sound of music drifted over to us and I was with Grayson. I didn’t want to return home, I wanted to stay right here where all my demons were dead and gone. Back home they were still very much alive and fighting.
Matteaus crossed his arms over his chest. “This isn’t a request.”
“You won’t even tell us why. All we get is go home and ready your species.” Grayson threw his hands up and turned away from Matteaus. “No, and face my uncle. Have you any idea what that bastard is like?”
“Actually yes, I know him.” A knowing smile spread across Matteaus’ lips. “Which is why I am sending you.”
“Fu—”
“Language, vampire,” Matteaus chided. He turned his attention on me. “You haven’t said much.”
“There’s nothing to say. I can’t go back. I made a vow to Zinnia to everything I could to help break the soulmate tie on her mom. I can’t go until I’ve fulfilled my oath. That’s all.” I crossed my arms over my chest. I’d left my old life behind for a reason, walked away from the warlock world for a damn good reason, and I wasn’t about to go back now. Not now, not ever.
“Look, I don’t care what personal reason either of you have. Beckett, you will go back. You will unite the warlock house under Zinnia’s rule. Grayson, you’ll return to the House of Shade and do the same thing.”
“Vampires ruled by
witches, ha! Not likely, mate.” Grayson shook his head.
I wasn’t sure what made Grayson so hesitant to return home, but if it was anything like my reasons, then we were all screwed. I had secrets I’d prefer to remain buried where they were. “Warlocks either.”
“Look!” He slammed his fist down on the table in front of him. “If you want to survive what’s to come, then guess what, boys, it’s time to pack your bags! Now!”
I vowed I’d never return back home to face that life, to face what I’d done. What he’d done . . . shit. “I’ll leave in the morning.”
The magic continues with Wicked Omen! The first book in season two The Royals: Warlock Court. To pre-order Wicked Omen CLICK HERE.
There’s no such thing as magical powers.
Most orphans grow up in foster homes not penthouse suites on the Upper East Side. Everyone always tells me how lucky I am. I know they’re right, and I am grateful…but I don’t belong here. It all feels so…empty.
In the pit of my stomach I know there has to be more to the world than this. The money, the spoiled rich life doesn’t feel like my own. Darkness lingers all around me and I feel it’s draw. It sings to me like a siren’s song and I’ve lost the willpower to ignore it.
And then he shows up. His name is Beckett Dust, and he’s infuriating. Drop dead gorgeous, but he makes my blood boil. He tells me of a secret world hiding in plain sight, one of magic and power. He paints a pretty picture of a life I’d always dreamed of then takes me to a magical academy to train for a war I have to fight. I’m surrounded by people who want me to fail and he is nowhere to be found.
I’m in over my head and now… they want to use me as a weapon.
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This power chose me…
Within the supernatural world of Evermore everyone prays their child will be born with the Mark of the Guardian for they have unparalleled strength, intelligence, and power…but they have no idea what it’s actually like. I didn’t wish for this gift and I definitely don’t want it. I was born a prince, I already had it all. This Mark on my neck stole all of it from me and forced me into a dangerous life I’d gladly trade away if I could…
But now the Witch Queens have ascended and it’s time to try and defeat the evil King once and for all. For over a thousand years his cruelty has spared no one as his torturous power grows stronger. He must be stopped now, before his reign destroys everything and anything in his way. So I must push aside my dreams of returning home to the family that cast me out. I must step up and claim the power that chose me. I must enter the Trials and become a Knight in the Witch’s Court.
There’s only one way to prevent the tyrannical king from destroying everything I love…I must become the one thing he can’t beat.
Want to see Zinnia’s first days in the wicked world of Evermore. Click here to get your copy of Wicked Witch.
It’s time to claim my power…
All my life I’ve lived under lock and key, always following the strict rules my mother set for me. A week before my sixteenth birthday I sneak out of my house and discover why. Turns out I am not just a normal teenager. I’m a witch blessed with a gift someone wants to steal from me.
And not just anyone…the evil King Alataris.
For a thousand years the people of Evermore have suffered under his tyranny. The Mark on my shoulder says I am the Siphon Witch, one of five Witch Queens fated to come together and finally destroy him. The only thing keeping Evermore safe is the Stone that shields the witch kingdoms from Alataris’s magic…and now he’s found a way to steal it. Suddenly, I’m sent on a quest to find the ancient spell to protect the Stone. My only hope for surviving is through my strikingly beautiful and immensely powerful Guardian, Tucker. The laws of Evermore state that love between us is strictly forbidden, and it appears I’m the only one willing to give in to the attraction…
When the quest turns more dangerous than expected I realize I have absolutely no idea what I’m doing. I was raised human. But I have to learn my magic fast because If King Alataris gets his hands on me he’ll steal my magic and my life…but if he gets his hands on the stone we all die.
The magic continues in Wicked Magic! CLICK HERE to order Wicked Magic.
They all fear my power…they should.
Finding out I’m a witch was a shock. But now that I’m in the world of Evermore I’ll do anything to protect it even if that means dying…
The evil King Alataris has stolen my mother, my life, and now he’s taken something that could unleash hell on earth. With a powerful Ice Dragon under his every command there is no telling where he will strike next. The Witch Queens have been tasked with saving Evermore. The only problem? The others fear the wild, powerful nature of my magic and sometimes so do I!
The only one who can help me contain it is my protective Knight, Tucker Brand. But even he has his own set of secrets. My feelings for him are overwhelming and strictly forbidden, if we give into the fire we share for even a moment we will lose everything.
When it comes time to take back what Alataris has stolen we set out on our most perilous mission yet. To save the Dragon and Evermore before it’s too late. If we fail, the world as we know it will come to an end…and all will be lost for Evermore.
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Check out Zinnia and Tuck’s biggest struggle yet in Wicked Hex. CLICK HERE to order Wicked Hex.
Some powers come with a price…
My life is unrecognizable. I’ve never been in more danger. I thought I was safe at Evermore Academy. I thought we were finally making progress in this war. I thought I was safe within these walls.
I thought I could always count on Tucker…I thought wrong.
But Now all that’s changed. Alataris is coming for me with everything he's got, and no one is safe. He's using the ones I love against me. I’m not sure who is on my side or who has fallen to the enemy's tricks. I want to turn to Tuck, but even he is hiding things from me.
My life is falling to pieces and to fix it I'll have to turn to the one person I know I can't trust...
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About the Author
Megan Montero was born and raised as sassy Jersey girl. After devouring series like the Immortals After Dark, the Arcana Chronicles, Harry Potter and Mortal Instruments she decided then and there at she would write her own series. When she’s not putting pen to paper you can find her cuddled up under a thick blanket (even in the summer) with a book in her hands. When she’s not reading or writing you can find her playing with her dogs, watching movies, listening to music or moving the furniture around her house…again. She loves finding magic in all aspects of her life and that’s why she writes Urban Fantasy and Paranormal.
Learn about Megan and her books by visiting her website at:
Www.meganmontero.com
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