Page 82 of Aftershocks

He glanced down where her eyes had fixed, on his tented trousers. “It’s not like she can see. Besides, it’s all your fault. Your Darkness is so arousing, baby. I love that mouth, you know that?”

“Then maybe I should use it to say when you can and can’t have it.” A tantalising image from Ellie, of him bound in their room, like Arim had been bound by Lexa, hit him hard.

“Damn it, woman, my mother is right here! You’re such a pervert.”

She laughed at him, and he felt his heart ease at her joy. His mother would recover, she had to. With so much love around her, she had to feel the pull of it bringing her back.

“For Light’s sake, Cadmus. Not in here.” Darius growled as he strolled into the room with Samantha in tow. “Oh, hey, Ellie.”

Ever since the truth behind Ellie’s altercation with Samantha’s evil twin had come to light, everyone had been on their ultra-best, apologetic behaviour. Cadmus, most of all. He’d explained that the shock, as well as Sin Garu’s treachery, had added to his doubt. She’d forgiven him, but she’d made him work damned hard for her forgiveness.

His lagging erection returned.

“Now what are you thinking? Honestly, Cadmus. Does that thing ever go down?” She poked him in the ribs, and he laughed, great gales of laughter that soon had Darius and Samantha joining in.

“I love you, Ellie. So very, very much.” And as humor replaced his arousal, he studied his mother, wishing she could share the moment. A spark of magic suddenly filled the room, Light mingling with Dark and something else, a powerful spark that shook Ravyn’s body.

Cadmus let the tears fall when her hand feebly sought his. Her green eyes opened, and he smiled. “Welcome back, Mother. We missed you.”

Epilogue

I stared down at Lexa, wishing I knew what the hell to do for her. None of my healing worked, and Jonas’ attempts at Dark healing hadn’t either. The good-humored Djinn had folded into Tanselm’s keeping well enough.

Apparently, he’d moved right into the northern castle and had taken to screwing with Cadmus’ Light Bringer warriors in an effort to better train them against Dark warriors, or so he said. I personally thought he did it just to mess with Light Bringers.

My mirth faded as I lingered on Lexa’s pale figure lying so still in my bed. I hadn’t been able to entrust her to anyone else’s keeping, not sure how far the Church of Illumination’s fanatical fingers reached through the kingdom.

So far, they’d mostly spouted rhetoric about the evil of Dark invasion, focusing on the Aellei in the east. But now that more Djinn were moving into the north, they’d begun inching from their cluster in the west, spreading like a disease. Politics. I hated them.

We had enough trouble to deal with. Church elections neared. The Netharat had been soundly defeated, but were those vast numbers the extent of Sin Garu’s force? And how badly had we wounded the Dark Lord? He shouldn’t have lasted as long as he had, especially not under mine and Lexa’s joint attack, not to mention the aid of Ellie’s Dark magic. But Sin Garu’s foray into blood drinking explained his enormous strength.

It won’t end until you end it. My conscience wouldn’t let it go, and I couldn’t forget the warning from the demons caging Lexa. A life for a life. I grimaced, knowing what I had to do to make things right.

Sin Garu deserved what fate held in store for him. And I planned on serving it to him with both hands. The Royal Four had been reborn. A new Tetrarch would build the foundation for our future. Four Storm Lords, four affai, four territories strong and true.

But at what cost?

I studied Lexa’s bloodless lips and shadowed eyes. Knowing we were alone, that she couldn’t hear me, I felt it safe to hold her hand.

“As soon as you wake, Lexa, we’re going to have a talk. Then I’ll see to your —” I cut myself off, aware she’d never referred to Sin Garu as anything but a Dark Lord, and never, ever, as her brother.

Out of respect for her, I rubbed her hand in mind, keeping her warm, and said, “Then I’ll see to Sin Garu. I’m waiting, Lexa. I’ve always been waiting.” I watched her, unaware that the gentling of my touch had reached my voice.

Behind him, his sister stood watching with a quiet smile.