78. In Which Our Story Begins
Evander’s Home
H e hadn’t let go of her hand, even after Ellie phased them into the hallway. She was still trying to understand what phasing meant when she and Evander came through, crashing into a statue of Athena and sending it toppling off its pedestal. It crashed to the ground in several large chunks as other pieces scattered to the floor.
Looking up at him, she shrugged and let out a short laugh. “Oops.”
“Come on, you,” Callassa yelled as she opened a portal.
Camulos came bolting out of the meeting room doors, his expression wild as he skidded to a stop on the marble floors.
Ushering her hand, Callassa waved at him. “You too, old man.”
Stepping through, all of them ended up back at Evander’s home in a heap, Ellie in the middle, with the other four surrounding her on the green carpet. Just legs and arms, feathers and excited chattering of happiness. Evander held Ellie’s arm as Liam hugged her, placing both hands on her face, relief flooding him. He held on as Liam grabbed him into a tight bear hug.
“You fecking idiot,” he scolded and touched his forehead to his stupid friend. Evander refused to let her go, even when she twisted to hug Camulos and Callassa. He trembled as he slid his hand up her forearm, pulling her to him.
“You’re real? This isn’t my torture? This isn’t my penance? You’re real?” Evander’s hands glided onto either side of her face as her lips curled into a smile.
“I thought I lost you,” she gushed, reaching up and threading her fingers through his on her cheeks.
“You’re real?” he breathed, resting his forehead to hers.
“I thought I was too late.” Ellie closed her eyes and then opened them. “Yes, I’m real.” A wild giggle bubbled out of her, and she lifted her head.
“Ellie.” His aristocratic lilt cracked as he trembled beneath her palms.
“No, let me speak.” Pulling her head back, Ellie wrapped her arms around his waist, wanting him closer to her. “I heard what you told the council. You told them you would find me through a thousand lifetimes. You risked everything for me. For us.”
“Because I love you.”
“I know. I know you do.” She beamed up at him and sighed. “I didn’t want to love you back. The last time I thought I fell in love, I made a mistake. I thought love looked like cruelty, and I feared you would wake up and discover I wasn’t worth your love. That cruelty was all I deserved. That this, that us, was nothing.” She felt his chest stall, his breath caught. “But from the first moment, that first night playing dominoes, you have looked at me like I was worth something. Everything to you. Like I am someone worthy of you. What I feel for you isn’t only love. You are the better parts of me. The best parts. I didn’t want to fall for you. But I did. And I’m thrilled that I did. I love you, Evander.”
He paled, and she thought he was going to faint. A strangled sob burst out of him, and he yanked her closer. “Say that again.”
Ellie snorted and cocked her head to the side; a mischievous grin played at the corners of her mouth. “I’m thrilled.”
Closing his eyes in annoyance, her now favorite muscle in his jaw twitched. “No, the other part. The part where you said you loved me.”
“I don’t recall. Maybe you heard it wrong.” Tapping her finger to her lips, Ellie frowned.
“Say it. Say it again, you little minx!” Evander laughed as he picked her up and swung her in a wide circle.
“Okay, okay. Put me down, Your Highness.”
Setting her down on the dark-green carpet, he gave her a pointed look, daring her to tease him again.
Ellie pulled his face to hers and looked into his eyes. “I love you.”
The smile that erupted across his face showed teeth as his dimple appeared. Their lips crashed into each other, kissing as if they may never get the chance again. Pulling his head down toward her, she kissed him as if her entire being needed him—which it did. It always had.
The sun streamed in through the large glass windows that lined his chambers, creating rainbows of refracted light across the wooden floor. Ellie stretched up, her knuckles hitting the headboard, squealing in surprise when his muscled arm shot out and yanked her to him. Smashing her up against his chest, Evander nuzzled into her hair, her back to his front. Moving down from her hairline, he settled on that sensitive spot behind her ear that he loved. Ellie shivered and playfully swatted him away.
“Gods, you fit so perfectly next to me.”
“Mmm,” she purred as he traced an outline from under her ribs to her full, wide hips.
His hand moved lower across her stomach as she pressed her ass into his crotch, feeling him harden against her as she rolled her hips.
“Keep that up, and I’ll have you under me, begging for release.” His husky voice was velvet to her ears.
“Maybe I’m the one who wants you under me.”
His hand traveled to her butt, and he grabbed her cheek, squeezing as his lips found her neck. Ellie jumped.
“I guess it’s true. Men really do like a little more cushion to grab at night.” Laughing at her joke, she knew Evander had rolled his eyes behind her.
Nuzzling her ear and then nibbling on her earlobe had her hissing and arching her back. She couldn’t get enough of him. Every touch, every movement was like gasoline to the flame. Pressing her ass further into his length, she reveled in his breath coming in short bursts.
“You naughty girl.” His growl sent shivers up her spine.
Moving her head, she encouraged his lips to move down lower, from her neck to her shoulder. His hand roamed further south along her body until it found what they both wanted. He maneuvered around her wings as if she always had them. It was odd how such an appendage felt normal so quickly. Ellie moaned and opened her legs for him. She was already swollen, already needy. It didn’t matter how many times they had sex; she was in heat anytime he entered the room. His finger swirled along her clit, and she bucked, her moan deepening.
“Ahhh,” he said, teasing her, lightly stroking, making her chase his skilled fingers. “Is this what you want, Ellie? You’re already wet, so needy, and we’ve barely gotten started.”
Moaning, she arched her back. She was getting more comfortable directing, telling him exactly where she needed him, but even with all their recent practice, she still blushed every time.
“I need you in me. Now. Right now.”
“Good girl.”
He lifted her leg and slid in slowly, inch by painstaking inch, taking his time. He kissed her spine as he moved back out, pushing back in, the tempo increasing gradually. Ellie knew he was making her wait, making this last as long as he could. Gripping him, she urged him to pick up the pace.
“You want it faster?” His breath tickled the shell of her ear.
Gasping, she nodded. “Faster. I need it faster.”
The chuckle from behind rumbled through her as he increased the speed. Thrusting to the hilt and then slowly pulling out before slamming into her again. After several thrusts like this, she was wild, desperate. Panting, she rolled her hips as he crashed into her. Evander groaned.
“You are what I want.”
“Such a good girl,” he cooed, his fingers finding her sensitive slit once more. The combination was sending her over the edge. “That’s right, that’s my girl. You feel so good.”
Ellie rolled her hips again, driving him deeper. Trembling, she was close, but so was he, and she clutched at him, forcing him over the edge with her. She knew her wings were glowing. They always did the closer she got to her orgasm. Ash floated in the surrounding air, adding to the moans and soft intakes of breaths.
She tried to focus. If she got too excited, she feared she could burn the house down. Evander traced one coil and twist of her mark along her wing, and Ellie arched her back. Tipping her hips forced him deeper and Evander let out a cry as she fell apart around him. Panting, her heart thrumming against her chest, Ellie rolled to her side. He nuzzled her hair and pulled her to him, throwing her legs over his. Smiling, she reached up and ruffled his sleep-worn hair. As her hand threaded through his strands, she tugged, which elicited a soft moan. She brushed ash off his shoulders as it floated, never seeming to land.
“Good morning, cowboy.”
Snorting a laugh through his nose, he kissed her.
“I’m getting better. I didn’t set fire to the covers this time.”
Evander twisted his lips and brushed her nose with his finger.
“I love you.” His eyes lay closed, his lips centimeters from hers.
“I love you back,” she said, landing soft pecks on his lips. “You know you’ve said that every morning since we came here?”
Pulling back, he cocked his head. “And every evening before we go to sleep.”
“I know.”
Grunting, Evander rubbed his fingers up over her ribs to her shoulder. “Are you complaining?”
“No, merely commenting on the frequency.”
The glow of morning sex disappeared, and his face turned serious. “I lost you once, Ellie. I watched the breath leave you. I couldn’t do that again. I never want to live another day without you knowing how much I love you.”
Her eyes searched his, and she brushed his forehead with her fingertips, tracing down to his cheek, memorizing the planes of his face.
“I know. I never want you to go a day thinking I don’t love you back.”
Smiling at that, he kissed her, pulling her closer. They were entangled and beginning a rather inventive second round when a knock at his door halted their activities.
“Evander.” Camulos’ sharp call from the other side caused Evander to make a face.
“Go away,” he yelled.
“Evander!”
“No one’s here,” Ellie called, covering her giggle with a hand.
“While I’m happy to be the third wheel, you have company in the study.” Camulos’ crisp voice sounded annoyed.
Ellie wiggled away, shrugging into her robe as Evander snorted.
“What company?” she asked over her shoulder.
“Give us ten minutes.”
They heard footsteps leave down the hall, and Ellie turned to Evander.
“What company?”
His eyes lit up. “You’ll see.”
True to their word, ten minutes later, they emerged. Ellie wished he had said twenty because her hair was a rat’s nest after last night and this morning’s proclivities . She twisted it up as best she could and threaded a ribbon through it. Dressed in a cream-colored dress that flared at her hips, she pinned a dark-blue fabric to her shoulder, melding her clothing style with Greek. Evander had made sure she had enough dresses that she liked stocked in the closet, although, truth be told, she hadn’t been wearing much lately.
Turning a corner, she gasped as she entered the study. Liam and Callassa stood beside the fireplace. Camulos was sitting in what was now lovingly called the Cam chair. Squealing, she sprinted towards Liam and threw her arms around him. He picked her up in a big hug, squeezing tight.
“Look at you!” Ellie exclaimed. “Your face is all healed. The last time I saw you, you still looked like the rough end of a bull.”
Liam laughed and hugged her again. “I told Callassa I would heal.” Glancing her way, he hugged Ellie again, and the two started chattering away as she stroked his face.
Callassa frowned and looked over at Evander, who shrugged. “They know we’re in the room, don’t they?”
He shook his head. “I don’t think so.”
“I know the feeling,” Camulos said from his chair.
“Hey, we notice you.”
Camulos shook his head and laughed. Crossing the room, Evander hugged Callassa.
“It’s good to see you.”
She smiled at him. “You too.”
“Ellie, as exciting as Liam is, he isn’t your surprise.”
Lifting her head, her eyes glanced around the room and then fell on Callassa.
“Oh, right!” She hugged her sister, who laughed.
“Surprisingly, I’m not your surprise either. But good to know where I stand.”
“Where we both stand,” Evander interjected as Ellie shot him a playfully stern look.
Camulos stood and motioned for the door to Evander’s private study. They all trooped through, Ellie last. As she crossed the threshold, she stopped dead in her tracks. Glancing around the room, she returned to the two women standing in the middle. One had been seated, her foot tucked under her, and she rose to stand as Ellie entered. One had her hair coloring, but tall, so tall. Tall like Callassa. Her wings were delicate and silvery, like moonbeams; they shimmered as she moved to stand. The other had brown hair tied back in a tight bun. No wings, no height. Her eyes that stared back at her were gray.
Ellie blinked several times and shook her head. “What are you doing here?”
The others all glanced at each other, as Ellie stood frozen just inside the threshold.
“You—you? What are you doing here? I haven’t seen you in years.”
The woman blinked several times, twisting her fingers into her hand, a gesture Ellie suddenly realized she was also doing.
“Aunt Diana?”
Evander shot Liam and Camulos a look as he placed his hands on her shoulders.
“No, darling, that’s Artemis.”
She shook her head and frowned. “I don’t know who the goddess is, but that,” she pointed to the dark-haired woman, “is my Aunt Diana.”
“Darling, that’s your mother.”
Ellie swung her head up, a crease forming along her brow.
“Hello, my beautiful girl,” Hypatia squeaked and nervously twisted her fingers into her hand.
“You”—she shot a look back at Evander—“but you’re Aunt Diana.”
Hypatia continued to twist her fingers. “I couldn’t just abandon my daughter.”
Artemis turned to Hypatia, her look stern. “You went to the human realm? Hypatia, you know how dangerous that is.”
Shaking her head, she smiled. “Multiple times.”
“How? How Hypatia?”
She shrugged one shoulder and twisted her lips. “I have my ways. I don’t always follow your orders, Artemis. You aren’t my warden.”
Evander coughed beside Ellie, and he broke into a wide grin as he shot her a sideways glance. Hypatia gave him a quizzical look.
“I had to make sure you were safe, Delphina.”
A hand found its way to her mouth before Ellie made a little mewl of a cry and jolted towards Hypatia, throwing her arms around her. All this time. All these years. She had secretly always believed that her mother didn’t want her. Believing she wasn’t wanted, she clung to her parents, but she was. Hypatia wanted so desperately to protect her from this dangerous world that she found a way to give her life outside the walls of Olympus and kept her safely hidden for decades.
Clearing her throat, Hypatia wiped away tears from Ellie’s face. Her voice strained, she said, “Delphina, I have missed you. I thought I was doing the best thing; I thought leaving you under Penn’s protection meant you were safe.” She wiped her own tears as she shook her head. “I was at the council meeting. I know what Evander did, what he said. I am so happy you are so incredibly loved.”
“You were there?”
Nodding, Hypatia cracked a tearful smile. “Hades asked me to buy time. To stall. That you were coming to save your love, so I prolonged the council sentence as much as I could. I was so worried you wouldn’t make it in time.”
“Oh my gods!” Evander exclaimed as Camulos gasped.
“Hades?” Camulos said through his hand.
She nodded. “He is a big softy. I never dreamed my Delphina would have a soul mate. When his mark showed up, I was stunned. But I am sorry. I am so incredibly sorry for the pain I caused you. All of this is my fault. The prophecy, everything.”
“How is this your fault?” Cam asked, recovering from his shock.
“I named you Delphina,” she said, her gaze flicking to him and back to Ellie. “I named you Delphina to honor your father. But when your parents told me what you could do, the magic you possessed, I went searching for answers. It wasn’t until I found the scroll that had the prophecy in full that I realized what I had done. I named you a daughter of Delphi, just like the prophecy said. I cursed you. I cursed my child.” Tears rolled down her cheeks as guilt scrawled across her face.
“She was part of the prophecy long before she was born, Hypatia,” Camulos said soothingly. “I have seen the writings myself. It wasn’t the name that made her the Serathena. Ellie was always destined for this.”
Hypatia let out a strangled sob. “I—I didn’t cause this? The destruction of Olympus isn’t my fault?”
“You didn’t curse her, Hypatia,” Evander said quietly as she wiped tears. “Both Callassa and Ellie are destined for greatness.”
“Hypatia,” she said, her name sounding strange on her tongue after so many years of calling her Aunt Diana. “Thank you for being brave.”
An odd little sound erupted from her, somewhere between a laugh and a hiccup. She shook her head. “No. No, I’m not brave. At the first sign of trouble, I run. I always run. I ran with you because I was afraid Apollo would find out. Then I was terrified Athena would find you. And then, when she did, I begged a certain epsilon warrior to keep you safe.”
Flicking her eyes to Evander, Artemis looked shocked. “How many times have you been to the human realm, Hypatia?”
“Enough to keep my Delphina protected.”
Ellie stared up at Evander, who wore a sheepish expression. “I’m glad I listened.”
Ellie wrapped her in a hug. “You are brave. What you did for me was brave. You left Olympus and sent me to a place where I could grow up. You gave me a life far away from this one. Far away from people who would hurt me. You hid and kept me a secret for years to protect me. You loved me even when you feared what I could do.” Gripping Hypatia’s hands in hers, Ellie smiled at her. “That’s what a mother does. She protects her child, even when it hurts her the most.”
Hypatia gasped as fresh tears spilled their banks, and she grabbed Ellie in yet another hug.
Looking over at Evander, Hypatia smiled. Laughter bubbled out of the two of them as Ellie introduced everyone in the room to her mother.
Her biological mother.
Hours later, she found herself wrapped in a blanket, seated on the window seat Evander had built for her. He said he enjoyed looking up and seeing her in the window, and a few days later, he constructed the seat. She loved him for it. But as it was the only new furniture in the house, she was confident they would eventually christen it. They had already made their rounds around the townhouse, fully exploring all the possibilities of the rolling ladder in Evander’s study. His hand brushed her neck as he came to sit across from her while thoughts of him on his knees before her, the ladder to her back, swirled in her mind.
He looked at her with admiration and love as he patted his legs, asking her to come and curl up in his lap, something Ellie was particularly fond of. Settling between his outstretched legs, she rested her back on his front. She had been learning to conceal her wings, and tonight, she was without them.
“No wings?” he said into her hair.
“I’m learning, but no, not tonight. I need to learn to conceal them faster, like you can.”
Looking at her over her shoulder, he snorted. “Why?”
“Because every time we try something new in the house, I leave ash everywhere I go.” His chuckle rumbled through her, and she settled back further against him. “Besides, I almost set the curtains on fire in the dining room. I’m certain the maids are tired of cleaning piles of ash from everywhere.”
He pulled her tighter and let out a low breath. Ellie stroked his arms, one soft, one metal, and grinned. His fingers lazily traced her scrolling marks that started at the nape of her neck, covered her back, and went down both arms to her biceps. Beautiful copper ink tattooed across her skin remained even when her wings were concealed. Evander also carried the mark with or without wings and made her proud to be his.
“You know I love you, right?” He gave her a sideways glance, his lips quirking up.
“I know.”
He nuzzled into her hair, his lips finding her neck with ease.
“Ellie,” Evander murmured on her neck, vibrating against her skin.
“Mmm?”
“Take me to bed.”
He sat on his throne, what was left of it anyway. Squid and Sansari, the only daemons in the room, had fallen asleep. Sansari decided Squid would be her new sleeping companion, much to Squid’s protest. But they were both curled on the smallest throne, Squid letting Sansari rest on his chest.
His throne room was in tatters, fitting since his life was also in tatters. In a way, it was poetic for all the years he spent trying to keep this world safe from his sadistic mate. He contemplated the last few centuries when he noticed movement from the corner.
“If you’re looking for a job, I have none to give.”
“No, I was looking for you, Valerius.”
Valerius waved his hand. “I am in no mood for any theatrics. If Athena has sent you to kill me, get on with it. I’m tired.”
The warrior meandered up the once-great marble floor that was now cracked, rubble among the remains. He wore the usual warrior garb, but his cape was a deep blue, like the bottom of the ocean. A Tidal Legion warrior from the Phorcus Province, rare in all accounts. Valerius had encountered a handful of them. He looked around the ruins.
“Interesting decor choice.” He motioned to the wreckage.
“I’m going for a leave-the-same-way-you-came-and-leave-me-the-hell-alone look,” Valerius snapped, lowering his chin.
“I have come to offer my services.”
Valerius laughed. “Your services? What service could Athena possibly need from me?”
“It isn’t Athena who sent me. I am here on my own accord.”
Valerius waved his hand dismissively. “I do not need a warrior.”
“I hear it was the Serathena who let that bitch escape.”
Valerius narrowed his eyes.
“I believe you need her back in her cage. Can’t have the Dark Oracle, blind as she is now, running around, making everyone nervous, releasing hell on earth, all that sort.”
“What do you want?”
“I have a proposition for you.”
“You want to make a deal?”
“No, I want to form a partnership. A quid pro quo. I will help you recapture your mate and throw her back in a prison she can never escape from. And in return, you will help me bring down the Serathena.”
Valerius threw back his head and laughed. “I hate to break it to you, but two exist. Pandora sure was a crafty little bitch.”
“Ahh, but see, I’m only interested in bringing down the destroyer.”
Valerius tilted his head. “And which one do you believe to be the destroyer?”
“I have my guesses.”
Valerius raised his eyebrows.
“I have a particular interest in one. We have a certain history , and I would very much like to see her burned to ash.”
Valerius tsked. “Such vitriol and hatred, all for one woman.”
“One vacillant, whiny woman who could never reach her full potential. I had to endure her for far too long. But, I know exactly what makes her tick and, more importantly, how to bring her down.”
“Pray tell, which sister is it you hate so much?”
The warrior’s face darkened; his eyes gleamed with a look that made even Valerius question his exact motives. “Do we have a deal?”
“You help me get Aerelia back in a cage, and I help you destroy the destroyer?”
He nodded.
“Deal.”
The warrior nodded again and tossed his chin at Valerius. “The name’s Penallius. But those who know me best call me Penn.”
And so, Dear Reader, our story comes to an end. A place where the end is only just the beginning. There are lots of questions left unanswered, and adventures left to travel. And our band of heroes has a few more quests to complete before they can find their happily ever after. The drumbeats of war are sounding, and the provinces are forming alliances even as you read this. But fear not, Dear Reader, because what lies ahead for our heroes will forge them into the iron swords they were always meant to be. The darkness will draw them into the light.