Chapter 40
Tap
Dinner at d’Arcan was an unusually wild affair.
Students were in, so Grace and her helpers were extra busy serving them at the long tables and hastily redirecting any nosy glances or gossip. The sheer amount of supernaturals gathered to eat should have been considered dangerous and disbanded, but it was just … dinner.
The family table, which was being supplemented with the old round table on one end, was overloaded in the best way.
Everyone sat elbow to elbow, and there was a feast spread down the tabletop.
Joy and laughter abounded from every corner and there were at least four conversations happening at any given time.
I kept checking on Phin to be sure she was holding up okay, but I needn’t have worried—she was quite literally glowing with happiness.
Even Ramsey seemed to be having the time of her life. The hellhound, the birds, and Calla’s stone kin cat were off in a far corner eating and teasing one another, chatting on about all their adventures and accomplishments.
The whole day felt very surreal, and I’d put Armaros completely out of my mind until Vassago patted my shoulder on his way to create a few scrying mirrors so that everyone could be in easy communication.
“We put him in the cellar, in case you’re wondering.
Between Calla’s magic, Greta’s elixirs, and some enchanted snow, he’ll be held in his current state until we know whether or not his remains should be returned to Heaven.
” He made a face, as though he’d tasted something bad.
“Those blades do nasty work. Effective, but very unpleasant.”
Rylan had clearly overheard and muttered, “If they don’t want him back, I’ll happily burn him to ash. Lucky I didn’t yet, honestly, I was tempted from the moment Ramsey dragged him through the portal.” He grinned, “Might have put his body in a different box from his head, though, just for spite.”
“Perhaps I should offer that to the three Nephilim who escaped from him?” I said casually.
Rylan laughed heartily. “You should. Ris! We have something for you to take with you when you go.” My brother raised his cup and took a drink, smiling at his new in-laws like he hadn’t just casually offered the head of an angel I’d beheaded, who was currently kept in his basement, to a fae king as a gift for some Nephilim.
I might be a touch grumpy and overstimulated sometimes, but I truly adored my family and all the beautiful madness they embodied.
Once the students had dispersed—which was rather quickly thanks to Grace hustling them along—everything settled down a bit.
Logistics became the main topic of conversation as more tea and desserts were passed around.
Those who had been retrieved from Purgatory suffered nothing more taxing than a wealth of options.
“There are plenty of huts at the conclave,” Magnus offered. “You’re all welcome, of course, for however long you need. Stone kin or not, you’re all clan.”
“We have apartments open here, of course,” Calla added.
“There’s only a single cabin open in the glade, but with some help from the stone kin, we could have more in short order, I’m sure.” Seir nodded.
“My palace is perpetually available as well,” Ris said. “We recently acquired three new residents, but there are endless rooms that could be put to good use, so long as you are amenable to being in the fae realm.”
In the end, everyone chose somewhere different; for most, it was the place they could be closest to their children.
Calla’s parents took an apartment at d’Arcan and while Rowan chose to accompany Ris to Everwood, I suspected she’d be traveling both to d’Arcan and to the conclave frequently.
Hailon’s parents agreed to take the cabin in the glade.
It was Phin’s parents who surprised me. We’d offered Phin’s room to them, and their own once I could get one requisitioned and properly set up, but Radueriel was insistent that Father Morton and Heaven be dealt with immediately.
“We’re going straight to Vincara once we leave here,” Phin’s father said sternly. “We’ll consider resting in Aymonroux, but I want these matters dealt with. There’s no time to waste.”
“What about Mom?” Phin asked.
“I’m going with him,” she said. Radueriel laced his fingers with his wife’s and leaned in to kiss her forehead.
“But … how will that work?” Phin asked, and my brothers and I all looked to one another, also curious.
“If they wish to prevent their own imminent collapse, they will allow my wife to accompany me inside the gates peacefully. If they refuse?” he shrugged and tossed back the last of his ale.
“Then I will lose no sleep over it. I will deliver Armaros’s corpse to their doorstep and go on to live my life here on Earth.
I will make it my mission to punish anyone involved in his scheme and ensure there are never any Nephilim within their grasp ever again.
Then I will avenge those who were captured, tortured, killed.
Once that’s done, I’ll rest easy, never wasting another moment of my time thinking about that place or those who dwell there ever again. ”
Magnus’s low rolling chuckle slowly gained speed and volume. “I like you,” he said, raising his own tankard in toast.
“Yes,” Vassago agreed with a smirk. “I believe you’ll fit in here just fine. Welcome to you both.” He raised his cup as well.
After a bit longer, goodbyes were begun, the energy of the whole group beginning to wane. Promises were made to align schedules so that they could all transition back to some kind of normal life as quickly as possible.
“D’Arcan is open to you,” Rylan repeated, dipping to briefly embrace Hailon’s mother. “We have ample resources, and there are many talents within these walls. Just ask for what you need, surely we can find a way.”
Archimedes and Belmont flew low to the ceiling, their wings cutting the air with a heavy beat. The pair dove out the doors the moment they were opened, immediately taking to the sky. Calla’s cat had wandered off to nap somewhere, and Ramsey had become glued to Phin’s legs.
Hailon and Seir split off with her parents, headed for the portal back to the glade as Magnus squeezed his sister, then drew Ris in with a chuckle, his arms around them both.
“I’ll see you soon,” she said, the words a solemn vow.
“Yes, you will,” Magnus laughed, releasing them both.
Ris and Rowan both hugged Greta for a long moment, then he tucked his wife under his arm.
She looked up at him with the same moony expression he’d worn all through dinner.
I could guarantee it would be a long while before any of these people took being able to see and touch their loved ones for granted.
“Please reach out if you need anything for the Nephilim,” Phin’s father offered.
Ris dipped his head and stretched out a hand for Radueriel to shake. “I will. Thank you. I’m happy to lend aid in whatever way you need should your discussions with Heaven go less smoothly than you hope.” Then they too were gone. Vassago turned and took Greta to their own set of rooms.
Calla had escorted her parents up to their apartment already, and Rylan bade us good night to go to her, leaving us alone with Raduriel and Terra.
To facilitate their journey to Vincara, we first traveled to the crossroads. When we stepped through, I all but deflated as the tension left my limbs. I truly was an isolationist who loved being home at heart, and the quiet of the great hall brought immediate and tremendous comfort.
“Are you sure you don’t want to rest?” I asked. “Heaven will be there after a good night’s sleep.”
“Your offer is appreciated, but I’m certain.” Radueriel reached out to shake my hand, his grip firm. “I’ve been making preparations for a long while with no way to fulfill them.”
“I’m more than happy to accompany you, if you’d like.”
“That’s not necessary, but I would not deprive you—either of you—your own vengeance on Father Morton, should you wish to take it.”
I cannot wait to see the holy man again. Ramsey’s black smoke plumed out around her, the tone of her voice in my head denoting a heavy level of sarcasm. But I will return to your side imminently, mistress. Phin patted Ramsey’s head.
“You’re the one he mistreated, Phin. If you want revenge, it’s yours.” Phin’s mother’s eyes were soft, but there was a rim of red around the dark brown, her ire clearly near the surface.
“I don’t want anything to do with him or the bells at that church, ever again. If you want to do this, you’re welcome to it. He made and broke promises to you, not to me.”
“Promises with you at the heart, though. Your care.” Radueriel frowned at his daughter, confusion in his kind violet eyes.
“He asked the apothecary to slowly poison you, Feather,” I argued, realizing I’d been more thorough in devising as well as devoted to my own plot to repay him for his betrayal than I thought.
She shook her head. “His method was absolutely wrong, but he kept me hidden when it mattered. That tincture kept my cycle at bay and disguised me well enough Armaros didn’t see me when he was sitting at a table five feet from me.
” I opened my mouth again, ready to list all the organs it had damaged while she was taking it, the freezing episodes, but I didn’t get a word out before she put her fingers to my lips.
“My father will take care of it, far better than I could, I’m sure. ”
“He’ll be coming with me to Heaven. Justice will be served, one way or the other,” Radueriel assured us.
“Good luck to you. And we will await a summons should you need any kind of assistance or testimony.”
“We’ll see you very soon, my heart.” Phin’s mom squeezed her tight and then they turned, vanishing through the same doorway that had carried me to the place I’d found my fate.
I deactivated all the active portals except the one that went to Aymonroux before taking Phin’s hand and leading her to my bedroom. My nerves were frayed, but her trust in me as she followed without hesitation soothed my ragged edges.
I didn’t speak as I ran my oversize tub full of hot water, stacked up clean towels, and made sure all of the necessary supplies were within reach.
Phin accommodated my unspoken requests as I lifted her leg and removed her thigh sheath, setting it far back on the counter for safety.
Her little grin and hazy gaze as I slowly peeled her tunic and leggings off nearly brought me to my knees.
I shed my own clothes in silence, never moving further than a few inches from her.
I couldn’t stand more distance than that right now.
I willed my hands to speak for me, to communicate my adoration and concern as they traced every inch of her flesh, checking for the smallest cut or bruise, any injury or damage. I lifted her chin and turned her head, anger flaring at the faint marks left around her neck.
“My collar,” she whispered. “He pulled it. Doesn’t hurt.”
I picked up one arm at a time and examined them like they were art pieces, memorizing a tally of small wounds as the rage built in my veins.
To soothe the hot emotion, my mouth followed everywhere I touched, her skin warm and soft under my lips as I gently kissed her jaw, her shoulder, her hip, her stomach, her thigh.
By the time I finally wrapped my arms around her and kissed her properly, she looked as dizzy from the attention as I felt, and I held her tight to keep her from sliding bonelessly to the floor.
“Come on, Feather. Let’s get you clean and into bed. It’s been far too busy of a day for my liking,” I muttered, voice rough.
She slid into the water first, and I climbed in behind her.
We soaked for several minutes, her back to my front, my legs surrounding hers.
My knees were sticking out of the water despite the oversize basin, though it was clear up to Phin’s chin.
She rested her head back against my shoulder and I dragged my fingertips along her limbs, loving the way she melted against me.
When the water started to cool, I washed her hair, then her body, then, against better judgment, I allowed her the comfort of doing the same for me.
The simple acts were grounding. I was painfully alive under the scrape of her fingernails against my chest, holding on by mere threads when I gripped the edge of the tub while she straddled and faced me to scrub the shampoo into my hair, her perfect breasts right at eye level.
I reveled in the defeat I felt when my restraint snapped and I wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her into me and making water splash out of the tub.
I did not trust my tongue to make the right words, so the only sounds between us were squeaks and rumbles, groans and sighs.
I worried that somehow, that might be worse.
When I could stand it no more, I scooped her up out of the water, drying us both quickly with the plush towels before marching her back into my room to the bed.
I lay on my side, head propped up on one hand as she arranged the pillows and blankets to her liking.
When she finally lay down against me, my arms reflexively came around her, pulling her as close as I could get her.
I listened to the steady rhythm of her breathing as she wound her limbs around me.
The bond in my chest was quiet, but my heart throbbed happily.
Everything in me calmed. After years of restlessness, existing solely for the gates, she was my place to recharge.
The slow graze of my fingertips against her skin became more insistent, and she looked up to find me watching her, a thousand fantasies dancing behind my eyes.
When she shifted up to kiss me, I exhaled like I’d been holding my breath for years.
All the tension left me, all the stress. Nothing else mattered.
There in the dark, I showed her what her future held as mine. We rocked together, breaths heavy and senses heightened. I understood what it was to be cherished and cared for, gently loved and wholly satisfied. I could only hope she felt the same.
And as it turned out, we didn’t need words to reconnect after what we’d been through. We only needed one another.