by JoAnna Grace
Dante remembered his manners at that moment and presented her for introduction. “Prince Ashton, I would like you to meet an Oracle from Delphi. This is Lysandra. Lysa, this is Prince Ashton Avondale.”
“It is a great pleasure to meet you.” Ashton took her hand and kissed it, gazing into her unique eyes. “Welcome.” He purred his words, sure to put a telepathic hint of sensuality with them. He thought he saw a hint of blush on her cheeks, but then her face went slack and her eyes clouded over. He looked back and forth between the two of them. She couldn’t possibly have a vision involving him. That morning, he’d used demon blood and black magic to mask his aura and guard his mind. Not even a lady from Delphi could be so powerful.
“So, Ashton, will you be leaving today?” Dante’s distraction was noted, but he kept looking at the Oracle as she recovered and smiled tightly at him.
“Yes. My mother is ready to return home and I’m just as anxious. Being in a Haven is nice, but we are accustomed to the human realm.”
“If you will excuse me, gentleman,” Lysa said cordially. “It was nice to meet you, Prince Ashton.” She gave a quick bow and walked away.
“That is one beautiful woman. Well done, Dante.”
The warrior blushed and cleared his throat. “She is far above my station.”
Ashton chuckled. “You clearly have things keeping you here, but my offer still stands. You’re welcome to come work for me.”
“While I appreciate the offer, my answer is still no. Avery is back and she will need her guardians.”
“And so will a certain Oracle.” Ashton played up the camaraderie for a couple more minutes before making his exit. “I have to ask, before I go. How did you survive coming face to face with a demon?”
“I wish I knew. Perhaps I wouldn’t have if not for Apollo.”
“Perhaps.” Ashton gave a quick salute and left.
The boy didn’t remember shit. His secret was safe. Even if he did in the future, Ashton had his sister as a bargaining chip. Thanks to the Oracle, he had two.
***
AVERY SEARCHED THE castle for Ryse. After the execution, he’d vanished. She had taken a moment to change into jeans and a pullover, and now her man was nowhere to be found. He wasn’t in their room or his mother’s suite. A couple of the Thracian students thought they had seen him heading away from the training center arena. Finally, she found Hayden in the library with a tumbler of alcohol in his hand. He stared blankly into the fire, his chin propped up on one hand.
Avery sat on the edge of his chair and sighed. “You didn’t expect that, didja?”
“No. I knew Ryse was going to turn down the North American throne, but Grand Deity. Whew.” He scrubbed his hand over his face and pushed back his long hair. “Kind of makes me wish I would have kept my damn mouth shut in the Heavens.” Half his mouth pulled back into a weak smile.
“You’ve never been able to keep your mouth shut, darlin’,” Avery joked. “At least, this time, it was for a just cause.” She reached over and ran her hand over his head, cupping his cheek. “Hayden, you’re one of the smartest men I’ve ever met.”
“Says the girl raised by cowboys in the backwoods of Texas. Thanks.”
She tugged his hair. “Shut it and listen. If anyone can lead these people, it’s you.” He scoffed. “Look at me.” Avery grabbed his chin. “I’m serious. Rhea and I talked about you. You’re one of a kind, Hayden. You’re the right blend of traditionalist and modern practice. You’ll be able to help our race revive the ways of old and still usher forward a new era, a stronger one.”
His brows dipped and he smirked. “Damn, Avery, Heaven changed you.”
She leaned back and slid off the arm of the chair and into his lap. He chuckled when she slapped a big kiss on his cheek. “You betcha, darlin’. I think it changed you too.”
“You truly think I can do this?” he said, showing the vulnerable heart beneath the mouthy exterior.
“I know you can. That’s why I suggested you.”
“You?” His mouth dropped open and Avery laughed. Hayden unceremoniously pushed her to the floor. “I knew having a sister was going to be a pain in my ass.”
Still smiling, Avery got up and dusted off her butt. “Having a brother ain’t all it’s cracked up to be either.” They exchanged grins. “Speaking of, where’s yours?”
“When Ryse is upset, he usually goes to the top level of the tower. It’s his place to be alone and think. I don’t know if he really wants me telling you that, though. It’s kind of our secret.”
“I’m his mate, Hayden. We don’t have secrets.”
“Then you should know that the only way to get up there is through the secret door behind the tapestry. Only family knows about it.”
“Thanks, love.”
“Hey, Avery?” Hayden called as she walked away. “I know Salina, uh, killed you and everything…but keep in mind that we all grew up together and Ryse doesn’t like to hurt women, much less execute them.”
“I know. That’s why I’m not going to let him be alone right now. He shouldn’t have to bear this burden on his own.” Ryse was over two and a half centuries old. By now, he was used to dealing with things in his own way in his own time. What he didn’t realize was that having a spouse meant he didn’t have to battle his demons—literal and figurative—without someone standing by his side ready rage war with him.
Avery went to the very top story of the tower where Dynasty had helped free her aura. It seemed like another lifetime. Technically, it kind of was. Behind the tapestry was a stone that seemed oddly broken away from the others. She pushed and pulled until a section of the wall clicked open. The door was barely big enough for a small woman. How did a huge guy like Ryse fit? She crouched down and stepped inside to find a ladder leading upward.
Avery’s breath caught when she reached the top level of the tower. The open-air terrace was littered with broken furniture. Pieces of what used to be a couple of lawn chairs and a metal table were tossed about. A glass tabletop was shattered. Ryse was sitting on the floor to the far side, his knees arched and his head bowed. He still wore the toga, but his breastplate was on the floor among the junk. Blood dripped from his battered and bruised knuckles. She glanced around and saw the places where he’d used the stone walls as a punching bag.
“Man, I’m glad you beat the hell out of that rock. It was startin’ to really piss me off.”
“I’m not in the mood for jokes,” he growled, his voice feral and dark.
“Good. Me either.”
“I’m serious, damn it. Leave.”
She turned over one of the chairs and, upon inspection, realized she would have to sit on the floor too. “I can’t really do that, baby.” She sat next to him, their shoulders brushing. A tingle of power rippled off of him. “I’ll never forget the first time I met you. Even with a messed up memory, I remember you walkin’ into my café, lookin like fresh-spun sin on a stick. I thought Izzy was going to have a heart attack. Between you and Bren, she lost her mind.” Avery huffed. “All I could think about was your eyes. How even though you were there with someone, you looked lonely. Then I saw you and Hammon and Cutter sparrin’ at the safe house and I realized that because of your power, you were very much alone.”
Avery slowly, cautiously, reached her hand over and lifted his chin so he would look at her. His irises glowed white and she could tell he’d shed a tear or two. Mostly, he appeared broken. “You don’t have to face anything on your own anymore, Ryse. You don’t have to hide your emotions from me. I don’t see weakness in your tears. I see compassion, strength. You have every right to be upset about today. That doesn’t make you less of a Thracian. It makes you more of a man.”
He stared at her with those deep brown eyes for the longest time. She stroked his jaw and face.
“I don’t deserve you.” His voice was hoarse and low, like he’d been screaming.
“I beg to differ.”
Ryse slowly pulled out of his rage and the white glow faded from his eyes
. “Why do you love me?”
“Well, you’re hot.” She grinned and Ryse’s shoulders relaxed. “And because you were created for me; you make me whole the way no other man ever can. I love your honor, your stubbornness, your heart. I love your sense of duty and faith. You’re amazing, Ryse.”
“And I’m hot,” he said with a sniff.
“Hell, yeah.”
“You’re pretty hot too, baby. That sexy goddess scarf on steroids thing you had on today was distracting.”
“How about I put it on again for you tonight, and you can take it off…with your teeth?” It was the crazy way she wiggled her eyebrows that finally made him grin.
He leaned his forehead over to hers and sighed. “Thank you, for not being afraid of me.”
“The only thing I fear is a life without you. As long as we’re together, nothing in this world can stop us.” She kissed him, strong and firm, relaying all the conviction she felt. “I have to go check on Nikki. I promised Brenden I would give them some time, but I want to see her. Will you come down?”
“In a bit.”
Understanding that after a day like today, he might need more time to process his emotions, Avery nodded and kissed his forehead and left him to his thoughts.
After her whipping, Brenden took Nikki back to her room. Avery lightly tapped on the door, in case she was resting. Brenden sat in a chair next to her bed and waved her in. Nikki was belly down on the bed, her long, red hair fanned out on the pillow next to her. Across her bare back lay white bandages. A blanket covered her lower back and legs. She didn’t move when Avery entered.
Brenden met her halfway across the room.
“How is she?” Avery whispered.
He heaved a sigh and rubbed the back of his neck. “The cuts aren’t too bad; a few stitches, nothing major. The Paeans tried to heal her, but apparently, the gods want her to suffer a bit more. Their powers didn’t work.” He pursed his lips and shook his head.
“Has she spoken?”
Brenden nodded and glanced back at her over his shoulder. “She keeps ordering me to leave. Stubborn as a mule, that one.” He grinned affectionately. “I told her I was in this for the long haul, but she seems to think I need to move on or some shit.”
“Is she awake?”
“Yeah, but she stares straight ahead at me, at the wall, at nothing. It took her forever to quit crying. Maybe you can talk to her.” He stepped close to her and whispered in her ear. “I’m not giving up on her. I love her. So you need to tell her to get that through her head.” He pulled back and Avery nodded.
“Don’t worry, Bren. We aren’t going to lose her. I won’t let that happen.”
His eyes misted and before he could let his emotions show, he quietly slipped out the door.
Avery walked around the bed. Sure enough, Nikki was staring at the window with a blank expression on her face. It killed Avery to see the dullness of her eyes.
Avery curled up on the bed, facing her. She reached up and took Nikki’s hand and held it to her chest. When their eyes met, tears fell freely.
“It’s going to be okay. I won’t leave you,” Avery promised.
Nikki clenched her eyes shut, but the tears came anyway. They poured down her face, her sobs shaking the bed. Avery cried right along with her. They didn’t speak. They simply cried together.
Avery opened up her aura and let it pour over Nikki, healing her body and emotional trauma as best she could. Shadows moved across the wall as the afternoon went on, but the two women never did. They cried and held hands; the rest of the world could wait.
Late that evening, Brenden came into the room, Lysandra and Dante on his heels. Lysa carried a tray full of food and drinks. “I’ve come with nourishment.” She set the tray down.
Avery didn’t take her eyes away from Nikki’s. “You need to eat.” She reached up and pushed a stray red hair from her face. “Please? For me?”
Nikki nodded and allowed Avery to help her sit up. Brenden had retrieved one of his button-up shirts and she wore it backwards so her chest was covered.
“I heard that you love chocolate cake.” Lysa smiled warmly at Nikki, her voice kind and soft. “Mine might not be as good as Lady Avery’s, but you might enjoy it still.”
“Who are you?” Nikki asked.
“I’m Lysa. I was sent here to take care of Avery while you were both in the Heavens.”
Nikki’s eyes went wide and she looked at Avery in horror. “You…you replaced me?” Her lips trembled and she covered her mouth to contain her cries.
“No, I was dead. I didn’t do squat.” Avery sat on the bed and forced Nikki to meet her eyes. “Listen to me, now. No one could replace you. When my spirit was in the Heavens, the gods sent Lysa to help Dyna watch over my body. She’s not my Shadow Lady, Nikki. She’s an Oracle. Do you understand?”
The hurt in her eyes cut to the quick. Poor Nikki, she had such a long road of healing ahead.
Lysa knelt down in front of her and took Nikki’s hands in her own. “Your mistress loves you very much. Fear not, sweet girl. You could never be replaced. Please, let me feed you. You will need all your strength for healing so you may stand at Avery’s side once more.”
That gave Nikki the incentive to eat. Lysa fed her like a child. Her kindness warmed Avery’s heart. Brenden and Dante stayed in the far corner of the room, watching, guarding. When Nikki was full, they called a Paean to take a final look at her bandages for the night.
“Can I talk to you alone for a minute?” Nikki asked Avery.
Their friends left the room and Nikki let out the breath she’d been holding. “You have to tell Brenden to leave me alone. I’m not good for him and he can’t waste his time on me. The gods have stripped my title, Avery. I can’t be your Shadow Lady.”
“Ya know, I can do a lot of cool things. But I can’t make that boy stop lovin’ you.”
“He doesn’t love me,” she said through gritted teeth. “I’m not the same person I was before. I can’t be. Too much has changed.” She closed her eyes tight. “Please, Avery. I’m asking you to please make him back off. I…” She got a grip on her emotions. “I don’t know who I am anymore. My whole life was devoted to being the best Shadow Lady I could be. Now I’ve brought shame to those who taught me. I’ve shamed my family.” She wiped her tears and sniffed. “How can anyone love me, when I don’t know myself, much less love myself?”
“Have you even considered that Brenden might be the person who helps you figure it out?”
Nikki shook her head and her red hair fell around her shoulders. Avery realized she’d never seen her hair down. Nikki always kept it up or in a braid. It was lovely.
“I can’t deal with him, Avery. I need to figure out what I’m going to do with my life. Please,” she pleaded, looking up with desperation in her eyes. “I need time to heal all the scars no one can see.”
Reluctantly, Avery nodded and went into the hall to explain to Brenden. He listened, staying motionless until she was done. Then he barged into the room and shut the door.
“Now you listen up, damn it,” Brenden said loud enough for everyone outside to hear. “You’re not getting out of this. You may not know who you are, but I damn sure do. You want to find yourself? Fine. We’ll do it together. But love doesn’t quit, it doesn’t give up, and damn sure doesn’t abandon in the time of need.”
“Why are you doing this?” Nikki demanded, just as loud.
Avery, Dante, and Lysandra all leaned closer to the door to listen.
“You’re my heart,” Brenden replied. “Period. The End. No take backs. My heart is broken right now, but we can fix it. Together.”
The room was quiet for a long time and Avery slowly turned the knob and peeked inside. Brenden was kneeling in front of Nikki, their mouths fused together, his hands buried in her hair.
Avery closed the door and turned to Lysa and Dante. “I think we should let them be.”
Lysa grinned with a deep blush across her cheeks. She leaned against Dan
te’s chest.
“How’s Nikki?” Ryse’s voice carried down the hallway. Her heart leapt in her chest at seeing him. She prayed she never got used to the sight of his powerful stride, the set of his shoulders, and the aura of confidence that surrounded him.
“I think Brenden is going to take care of her tonight.”
“Good.” He faced Lysa. “Tomorrow morning, we will gather to discuss your vision. I think everyone should hear it. Hades spoke to me and Zeus passed Hayden a message. We all need to share information.”
“Yes, sire. As you wish.” Lysa bowed.
“Go rest.”
“Yes, Master.” Dante took Lysa’s hand and they disappeared down the hall.
Once they were gone, Ryse turned his stormy gaze on her. “Didn’t you mention something about pulling off clothing with my teeth?”
Avery laughed and threw her arms around his neck. “I did. And I love you, baby.”
“I love you too.” Ryse picked her up and carried her to their room next door.
***
RYSE STOOD IN front of the group and took a deep breath. His Elites, his brother, his General, and his handful of trusted soldiers filled the conference room. Everyone was quiet. Especially when Dynasty and Avery walked in with Hanna, Lysandra, and Nikki behind them. Lysa and Hanna surveyed the room, but Nikki kept her head down.
“Gentlemen,” Ryse said. “I have asked these ladies to join our council this morning. We have a few things to discuss and I believe all of them should be included. Ladies.” Ryse motioned to the five empty chairs around the table.
Once everyone was seated, he continued. “In the last twenty-four hours, the gods have been actively speaking to us. I’ve received calls this morning from the Deities all over the world that they have heard direction and prophecy like never before. I, personally, take this as a good sign. However, not all of it has been positive. We face a new threat. All this time, we’ve been so focused on rogue Olympians, that we have missed the real enemy. And he is at our door. Demons have found a way out of the underworld. They cannot stay in this realm for long, but their tolerance increases all the time.