Chapter 36
PHAEDRA
Not wanting to think about killing gods, I enter the main tent.
Daegan and Jamison are already deep in discussion about the changes they need to implement to make the council more democratic.
Each race will elect more than one individual to represent them.
Self-appointment will not be tolerated. And once all of the supernatural representatives are finalized, the council will decide the best way to approach the humans and include them.
Several protest, but Bennett’s actions have empowered the humans. Not only can they now detect supernaturals, but they also have the technology to eliminate them. It’s in everyone’s best interests to work together and find a way to move forward.
How the gods are going to take this new approach, I’m not sure, but they have to know the treaty was broken the second the vampires and Bennett began working with humans.
Hawthorne and the rest of the elves, along with a few Fae they called in, are walking around, healing the wounded. One of the Fae males bends over Agos to examine him.
Agos, whose arm is torn off, looks over at me and winks. His mate, Riv, the beautiful red-haired man hovering protectively over him, swivels around with a glare on his face. When he sees me, a smile breaks out, and he gives me a sheepish look. I laugh.
Gatlin comes up beside me, and I point out the two of them. “You remember Agos, don’t you?” His brows lower. “Looks like his mate, Riv, is as jealous as you are.”
Instead of being ashamed, Gatlin gives me a lazy shrug. “I’m not going to apologize, nor will I change.” He turns toward me. “And to be clear, we won’t need Agos’ services any longer. The five of us need to learn how to work together in a fight. The alley was a disaster. So many mistakes.”
I wince. It was obvious we hadn’t worked out all the kinks or played to our strengths. “I agree.” He lifts a brow, and I wrap my arms around him. “What? I realize things have to change. Quite frankly, I’m looking forward to it.” I only hope the gods let us.
Some of my worry must show on my face as he frowns and pulls me into his arms. “We’ll get through this.
And when we do, I want to go home to the farmhouse.
Get a few animals. Make that our base.” His lips catch mine for a brief second, then he mutters a few colorful cuss words. “Too many damn people in here.”
“What’s left to do?”
Gatlin rubs his hand up and down my spine. “The clean-up is almost done. We should be able to leave within the hour. I’ll go hurry them up.”
Jamison and Daegan are cleaning up the command center.
Charlie and Maverick walk in, arm and arm, and I stride over and give them both a hug.
“Thank you. I know the two of you don’t usually involve yourselves in politics or battles, but it means a lot to me that you were here with us.
” I grasp Charlie’s hand in mine. “We’ll never be able to repay you. You saved him.”
Charlie blushes and tries to wave me off, but Maverick beams. “We weren’t about to let you have all the fun.” He leans in close. “Besides, with Bennett gone, there’s a lot of opportunity to grab some of his market share for our own.”
Charlie gives him a look. “Some of us had more altruistic reasons. Like a new democratic way of life. The old way only worked for a small percentage of the supernatural world. I like what Jamison and Daegan are doing for the future. It’s going to change things considerably.”
Jamison comes up and lays a hand on Charlie’s shoulder. “Glad you agree. Maybe you should run for one of the mage seats. I’ll back you.” Charlie looks surprised, but Maverick’s quick to shake his head in agreement. “Think about it. We could use someone like you.”
Jamison curls his arm around me and places a kiss on my temple. “Mercer and Caron will be here in a few minutes.”
After promising Maverick and Charlie I’d see them soon, I walk outside with Jamison to wait for the two of them. “Are they bringing the panels?”
He nods. “Looks like we’re only missing one. Do you have any ideas on where it could be?”
“Not a clue,” I reply with a wrinkle of my nose.
“Ares did help me during the battle, though. So, maybe he’ll send one our way soon.
” I’m explaining the blades when I see Mercer, her pink hair perfectly styled, and the ice-blond elf Jamison and I saw the day we parked the Porsche at the British museum who I assume is Caron. The two look good together.
Mercer holds out her hand, and I take the two panels from her. For the first time since I’ve known her, she looks relaxed. “No wonder you like stealing things. It’s fun.”
“Thank you. We couldn’t have pulled this off without you,” I tell her.
Hawthorne comes up beside us and reaches a hand toward Caron.
“Thank you both.” He pauses, then looks at Jamison, who nods.
The two of them proceed to explain how the new democratic council will work and their recommendation that both Mercer and Caron consider running for one of the positions.
“We could use fresh blood that isn’t mired in the past hierarchy bullshit. ”
They look at each other, silently communicating for a second before turning back to us. “We’ll consider it. Over the years, we’ve compiled a list of things that we’d do differently if we were in charge. But Harlequin also needs us, especially now that Bennett is gone.”
“Take your time,” Jamison advises them. “It’s a big commitment. And we’re enforcing the need to run more frequent elections, so if you can’t do it now, maybe you can in the future.” He shakes both of their hands. “Thank you for your help in retrieving the panels.”
The two of them leave, and I stare at the panels in my hands.
Doran’s sketch didn’t do the top panel justice.
Brilliant colors depict the six gods: Hephaestus with his hammer in hand, Athena in her helmet with her spear.
Ares stands with his shield raised toward Hephaestus.
Apollo and his sister, Artemis, stand together with their bows.
Demeter wears a serious expression on her face.
In a circle, around the altar, several of them stare down at the center where an ornate key lies flat.
The same key that’s in my vault. I study the box.
Four side panels along with a top and bottom panel.
We have all of them except the bottom panel.
Jamison taps the side panel Mercer just gave me. “What’s the symbol mean?”
“The double eagle wearing a laurel crown is the symbol my father used to represent our kingdom,” I tell him, lightly tracing the relief. “They made the story on the box a reflection of my life—both past and present.”
They begin breaking down the tent behind us. Jamison picks up the bag beside him. “Ready to go home?”
“Do you know how good that sounds coming from your lips? Or the others?” I smile and link my fingers with his. “Do you have enough juice to get us there?”
He pretends to consider it, then growls in my ear. “More than enough to get us home and show you my appreciation for calling Charlie in to help me.”
Hawthorne leans in. “Where’s Mathias?”
I look around, realizing I haven’t seen him in a while.
Gatlin touches down in his gryphon form and opens his talons, setting Mathias on the ground in front of us. He then transforms and heads off to get some clothes. “He needs blood.”
Eyes half-mast, Mathias looks at me, then turns his head.
Alarmed, I hurry over. “Why did you wait so long?”
Jamison comes over and gives him a hard look. “You know better.”
Clenching my jaw, I push my sleeve up and hold out my wrist. “Mathias, this is ridiculous. If I’m the only person you will take blood from, how am I supposed to know if you don’t tell me?”
Jamison’s mouth quirks up at my irritation. “You need to tell him it’s freely given, or he can’t take it.” He narrows his eyes at him. “Take her blood. We’ll talk about this when we get home.”
Mathias spears me with a contrite look. “I didn’t want this to be one more thing that might pressure you into deciding.”
I brush his hair back. “You’re an idiot. Take what I freely offer.” With a pained expression, he sinks his teeth into my wrist. I smile, knowing he’s going to see I’ve already made up my mind to accept the bond between us. Seeing him surrounded and in danger today made things crystal clear for me.
He breaks off and stares at me, his dark eyes intense and direct. “You’re sure?” I nod, and he licks his lips and draws my head down for one of his delicious kisses. “Thank you. I can’t wait to make you fully mine.”
Gatlin comes striding back out, dressed in camouflage pants and a dark T-shirt that’s stretched across his large chest. He flicks a glance at the four of us and helps Mathias to his feet. “Let’s go home.”
Standing, I sway, feeling the effects of the day and the blood Mathias just took from me. Hawthorne scoops me up in his arms while Jamison opens a portal. It takes but mere seconds to cross the pond, but this time, Jamison does sway a little. Guess we’re all worn out.
The large white farmhouse with its wraparound porch is a welcoming sight. All four of them stop to stare at it, then turn to me.
“It’s cozy, right? Every time I come home from a mission, I stay the night, needing its warmth around me. I’m glad you all feel it too.”
Hawthorne carries me up the front steps and into our house, but he doesn’t stop there. He continues upstairs to my bedroom, then sets me on my feet.
He leans down and kisses me on the lips, then begins to head out.
“Shower with me?” I ask, not wanting to be alone.
He searches my eyes, then walks back over to me. Undressing me slowly, his hands soothe and massage every inch bared to his gaze, then he carries me into the bathroom. While the shower heats up, he shucks his clothes and gathers me to him, then steps into the steaming water.
I drop my head back, basking in the heat and the feel of his soapy hands gliding across my body. When he turns to washing himself, I beg him to go slow so I can watch every stroke of his hands across his hard body.
“Hmm, have you ever thought about getting a tattoo?” He would look good with one. “Maybe right here.” I swirl my tongue over one of his pecs, dipping down to flick his nipple, as my hand slides down to rub up and down his cock.
His breath catches. “Mmm, I love taking showers with you.” His hands lazily roam over my body, as if he’s in no hurry to finish quickly.
He slides to his knees, kissing his way down my body and settling between my legs.
Hawthorne picks up my leg and draws it over his shoulder, spreading me open for his pleasure.
I lean back against the cool tile as his tongue and fingers work their magic. This is how every battle should end. I spear my fingers through his wet mahogany hair as I hold him to me, taking everything he has to give.
A low moan escapes, echoing in the shower, and he quickens the pace until I’m falling over the edge, coming against his mouth. My thigh shakes, and he places a few kisses on the inside, then stands and gives me a hot, wet kiss.
Picking me up, he slides into me, slowly pumping in and out, and I curl my legs around him. “I love you, you know. And no matter what life brings us; I’ll fight for you. For us. To stay by your side for as long as this world exists.”
“Oh, Hawthorne, my brilliant man, I love you too.”
His sea-green eyes flare with deep emotion, and it’s a long while before we leave the shower.