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“Stay out of it, Helian,” I said on an urgent whisper.
But my warning was too late. Isa snarled at him, steam pouring from her snout as she hovered dangerously close to the top of his head.
“We’re wasting time arguing,” Drae interrupted. “We have a long flight ahead of us.”
Isa turned her snarling snout toward him, then backed away when Shiri gave her a warning glare. With a growl, Isa ushered Triss toward the pyramid, snapping at her heels as her hatchling ran through the archway with a whimper. Isa followed after her, their foot stomps echoing while rattling the ground beneath our feet.
“Are you ready, darling?” Ash whispered to me.
I looked up at him then at Finn and the girls. “I’ll never be ready,” I mumbled, though I knew we had no choice but to leave my children, mate, and heart behind.
Shiri
THE MORNING SUN WAS climbing higher in the sky, the rays turning from a deep crimson to a watery yellow as we prepared to embark on our treacherous journey. Helian and Radnor flew wide circles above us, the drake letting out impatient roars. Isa had returned from the pyramid, her eyes downcast as she flew off in the direction of the volcano, though I wasn’t sure what she was doing. The satyrs stood in the pyramid’s shadows, watching us from beneath their hoods.
I held tightly to my nieces, trying my best not to cry as I said my goodbyes. Tari was already a mess over having to leave them. I didn’t want to fall apart, too, though it was extremely hard. Some part of me felt as if it wasn’t my place to cry and fret since I didn’t birth them. But I loved these girls—so much the thought of leaving them behind was a poisoned blade piercing my chest.
Ember was the first to squirm out of my grasp. “You’re crushing Bethamy, Auntie.”
“Sorry, darling.” I looked down at the fruit shell pressed between us. I hadn’t realized she’d been holding it. It had wilted and deflated and was starting to smell. We would have to get her a replacement doll soon.
I kissed the girls once more before throwing myself into Nikkos’s arms, finally giving in to my tears as he wrapped me in a feathery cocoon. I was so grateful to him for staying. He was the obvious choice, since he had healing powers that would come in handy should the girls get hurt, especially if Triss accidentally stepped on them. It was only a matter of time, after all. I hated leaving him, though.
When Helian and Drae grumbled it was time to leave, I didn’t want to let go of Nikkos as he wrapped his wings tighter around me. “Thank you, my love,” I whispered while kissing his warm neck, “for staying.”
“Of course.” He ran his hands down my back, his voice cracking with emotion. “Come back to me.”
“I will.” I pulled back, desperately searching his eyes while committing his face to memory, from that sexy dimple in his chin, pouty bottom lip, squeezable cheeks, and large honeyed gold eyes with thick lashes. I absolutely adored my Nikkos and couldn’t wait for the demons to be vanquished so I could spend the rest of our days at Abyssus, making love and, elements willing, growing our family.
Nikkos kissed me again, nearly stealing the breath from my lungs with the strength of it. He tasted like tarts and juice, and I never wanted to stop kissing him.
I love you, he projected into my mind.
I clung to him, desperation tightening a noose around my throat. And I you.
By the time Drae pulled us apart, I was unable to stop the tears that flowed.
“Guard them well,” I said to Finn, motioning toward Ember and Aurora.
He splayed a hand across his chest. “With my life.”
My heart clenched as I prayed it would never come to that.
Tari hugged the girls again, though Ash kept telling her it was time to go.
“Don’t worry, Mommy,” Ember said to her, “we’ll take good care of Demon and Angel.”
Tari swiped tears from her eyes. “I know you will.”
“And I’ll protect us with my slingshot.” Aurora patted the weapon that was tucked in a secret pocket the satyrs had sewn for her on the underside of her frock. “Shooting demons will be just like shooting fruits.”
I tensed at that. There was no way I wanted my nieces battling demons.
“Darling, listen to me.” Tari clutched Aurora’s shoulders, her eyes hardening. “If you’re in danger, you do not fight. You grab your sister, and if you can, Dada Finn and Uncle Nikkos. Then you teleport out of there.”
Nikkos knelt beside Aurora, ruffling her hair. “But don’t put yourself in danger trying to get to us, sprite.”
“If you can’t reach us, then you and your sister disappear to somewhere safe,” Finn added.
