Chapter 33
MALIK
F ucking hell, I’m exhausted. I hug Amri a little tighter against me, eternally grateful that everything seems to have worked out.
Despite my words, I was not as confident as I sounded when I promised Amri that I had enough to combat the gods to save her magic and her beast. But before my brothers and the rest of the Leos bolstered my efforts, there had been a skittering sensation over my skin, like spiders.
And with that phantom touch, I did. I had enough, more than enough, and while I wasn’t one-hundred percent sure, I still sent up a prayer of thanks to the Fates.
It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask Amri if she felt their presence as well, but then I not only feel but I scent her exhaustion, and my beast turns his full focus on her, protective and intense. “We are ready to catch her should she fall.”
I’m hoping to get her to a bed—my bed—before she fully collapses. I can picture it, us curled up on top of my blankets in a warm puddle of sunshine … but then I recall that my house is gone, burned to the ground by Leonora’s hunters.
Leos shuffle around the circular floor, mumbles floating around, no one quite sure what to do.
I turn to Justice, ready to ask if we can leave, but Baran clears his throat, drawing everyone’s attention.
“With Leonora’s power … diminished, my god, Aries, has instructed me to present you with two options.
” Seems Aries was prepared for this, which causes a stream of questions to file through my mind, but Baran goes on.
“The Council can temporarily grant your representative, Leeu, with the power necessary to sustain the Leo clan until a new deity is chosen by the Leos. You will have one year to do so, or the Council will appoint one for you.” Leeu shifts his weight, his posture tense as the murmurs pick back up, but then Baran raises his hand and says, “Or, the Leos can nominate someone from within your clan right now. The Council will send a mental notice to those Leos not present, though most of you are here.”
Ramesh, from the edge of the circle, says, “I say we submit our nominations now. I’d be interested to see whose names rise to the top.”
I’m surprised, but thankful, because though Ramesh has been gone from the Leo court for a long time, his words still hold weight, and a majority of the Leos nod their heads.
Justice asks, “Shall we proceed with the nominations? It will be anonymous, names collected and tallied by all deities present.”
Selene, the goddess of Cancer, sighs. “Do we really need to be present for this? I’m sure our representatives can handle this.”
Justice shakes his head. “If a vote ends with a winner, we need to be here to ratify the new Leo deity and grant them their new powers.”
Selene sighs again, slumping back in her pink chair, but waves a hand. “Fine, let’s get on with it then. ”
Justice’s voice echoes through my mind and the minds of all Leos everywhere. “Submit your name for nomination.”
I don’t like to think it’s ego that has nerves gathering in my stomach.
Will my name come up? Would I even want to carry the mantle of responsibility for my entire clan?
Whether I want it or not, if my clan calls on me, I will answer.
Besides, we are only here and in this position because of me and my brothers.
But as to who I want to nominate, only one name comes to mind, and I immediately submit it to the gods. Only a few minutes pass before Justice smiles, his posture relaxing for the first time since appearing in Leonora’s throne room.
The Libra god raises a hand and says, “The nominations are in, and I must say, this is a first. It’s unanimous." I go still, looking around at the easy smiles on the Leos’ faces, all eyes turned towards one person. Justice proclaims, “Askari, will you accept the responsibility of your clan?”
I grin until my cheeks sting as I turn towards my beta. His eyes are wide, his body frozen, but then he turns to me, his voice wavering in my mind. “I–I voted for you, but–but this–I–”
“Thank you, Askari, but you are the obvious choice. Your clan has spoken.” I cup his shoulder, holding his gaze. “ You don’t have to accept, but if you do, I will support you however you need me.”
He takes a slow breath, squares his shoulders, and turns a slow circle, speaking to the Leos, his Leos. “I don’t know what to say. You honor me, and I fervently hope that I will live up to your expectations.”
Justice says, “You accept?”
Askari faces the god and nods. “I do.”
As one, the ten deities stand, once more holding out their hands, but this time, instead of taking power, they give it. Askari stands tall, his body glowing brighter and brighter as the power of the gods flows into him. He’s perfect.
My beast, while filled with pride for Askari, bows his head in sadness. “We waited too long. He no longer needs us.”
The Askari-sized hole in my chest that I was saving for him aches, but I’ve always been prepared to live with this piece of me missing.
Amri takes my hand, rubbing her thumb over my knuckles, her soft purr vibrating against me.
I sink into her comfort, turning my mind from Askari as I try to organize my thoughts, forming and throwing away the words I want to use to ask her to be mine.
As the magic fades, Justice says, “This trial is concluded.”
Almost before the words leave his mouth, the deities pop out of the room.
Several Leos approach Askari, bowing and offering their congratulations.
As more Leos crowd around their new god, the press of bodies separates me from Askari, and I shuffle towards the edge of the crowd with my brothers, Alexandros, and Amri in tow.
Bodi cracks his knuckles and rolls his neck. “That worked out surprisingly well.”
I chuckle, hugging Amri closer. “It did, didn’t it?” I look down at my little warrior, a frown pulling at my lips as I trace the spot on her neck where the Aries tattoo has replaced the moon and stars mark. “Are you okay?”
Her fingers come up over mine so we’re tracing her skin together. She nods. “I am. I loved my job, but in the end, that’s all it was, a job. This … you are more important.”
“Will you be my mate?” I blurt the words, none of the poetic prose I had planned making it past my lips in my desperation.
Rian chuckles, shaking his head. “Real smooth, brother.”
Alexandros wraps his arm around Bodi’s waist, and my brother kisses his temple as they watch Amri and me like we’re on their favorite tv show.
But then I forget about my brothers as Amri turns into me, pressing her body flush with mine, her hands curling against my bare chest. “I already am, but I’m more than eager to make it official."
The groan that leaves me is filled with desire and relief. I lower my face to hers, and as our lips press together, my heartbeat syncs with hers, the rhythm familiar, natural, comforting.
Alexandros clears his throat. “You’re not going to do it right now, are you?”
I smile against my mate’s lips, shaking my head. “No.” I look into her blue eyes, her own smile flushing her cheeks. “I want to be insi?—”
Rian plugs his ears. “La la la la! I don’t want to hear that. Boundaries, brother.”
We all chuckle, and I pull back from Amri as a warm tingle of awareness pricks down my spine.
I turn to face Askari as he strides towards me.
I swallow against the pain in my chest, forcing pride for him to fill me instead.
I smile, words of congratulations ready, but Askari beats me to it and says, “Take time with your family, but after … meet me at our spot in the gardens?”
Hope flares, but I try not to get too excited. Maybe he just wants to speak with me about what my role in the clan will look like from here on. But still, my beast paces with the excitement of the possibility …
I nod, and Askari smiles at me before turning and facing his clan. “Let’s go home.” And with a flick of his magic, POP!
I only stumble a single step as I land back in Leono—Askari’s throne room. My brothers, Alexandros, and Amri are with me, and while no other Leos are present—except for Ramesh—the witches are all still here, sitting and talking quietly as if waiting … for us?
Circe stretches from where she’s lounging in the throne. As she stands, she says with a bored, sarcastic tone, “Oh good, you’re back. Call off the rescue party.” It’s very clear there was zero effort being put into searching for us, and I think Hela had something to do with the calm atmosphere.
Ramesh holds out a hand, helping the coven leader to her feet, and while I had my suspicions, I’m still a bit shocked when he lowers his head and presses a tender but passionate kiss to her lips. The two pull apart, and Hela turns to us, lifting a hand in greeting.
Alexandros’ gaze snaps to her inner arm along the crook of her elbow, and he says a bit too loudly, “Yiayia, is that a mate mark?”
Bodi playfully smacks the back of his head, but Hela just chuckles, wrapping her arm around the tiger shifter’s waist. “Indeed, and it’s been a long time coming.”
Bodi strides across to her, sweeping her into a hug, earning a glare from Ramesh as he says, “Congratulations, Hela.”
When he sets her down, she pats his cheek. “Thank you, and I’ve told you to call me yiayai.”
He blushes. “Yes ma’am.”
Hela smacks Ramesh’s chest with the back of her hand. “Stop growling. He’s family.”
I roll my lips between my teeth to try to hide my smile as the grumpy tiger shifter actually blushes, but he wraps Hela in his arms, pressing a kiss to her temple as he whispers, “I’m sorry, my love.”
Sadie melts into the embrace of her mates, the three of them hugging and kissing as if they were separated for weeks and not a few hours.
But I get it. I pull Amri’s back against my chest, wrapping my arms around her as Kat sprints to Rian, jumping into his waiting arms. As the two lock lips, my brother walks them to the closest door and leaves without another word.
Circe clears her throat. “The Leo clan hasn’t collapsed, so who …?”
My smile is full of pride. “Askari.”
My sister—still weird—purses her lips. “Huh. A beta? That’s surprising, but it must have been damn-near unanimous for the transfer of power to have happened so quickly. Well done, brothers. This all worked out much better than I had hoped.”
I dip my head to her. “Thank you for all your help, sister.”
When I meet her gaze, her small smile holds mirth but there’s also warmth. “You’re welcome.” She stands taller. “Now it’s time for me to go home, but don’t be a stranger. Call first, but I expect you all to visit.”
I chuckle. “Likewise. Well, once I’ve found a new place.”
She cocks her head to the side. “You’re not going to live here?”
I glance down at Amri, skimming my thumb over the skin of her stomach where her shirt has ridden up. “There are conversations that need to be had, but maybe for a while. Temporarily.”
Circe nods before turning and gesturing to the room of witches. “Anyone need a lift home?”
Several hands raise, and with a flick of her hand and a shimmer of blue magic, Circe and most of the witches disappear.
Hela turns to Sadie, cupping her cheek as she says, “I’ll see you back at the tea shop, dear.
” Sadie nods, and as Hela eases back against Ramesh’s chest, she twirls her fingers, and a portal she must have drawn earlier lights up, and the two of them step through.
Bodi turns to me. “Rian has taken our old room here in the palace. The hunters didn’t get around to our place, so the three of us are going back to Greece.”
I nod. “I’ll use one of the guest quarters here in the east wing until I find a new place.” Amri shifts her weight, and I’m quick to slip into her mind. “I don’t want to be presumptuous, but if you’d like ? —”
“Yes, I’d like to move in with you, Alpha.”
I press a kiss to the top of her head. “You’re sure?”
She looks up over her shoulder at me. “I’ve been sure since the moment I first saw you dance.”
That gives me ideas, but they can wait.
I reach out to grab Bodi. Amri steps out of the way, and my brother’s mates extricate themselves from him as I pull him into my arms. We purr for each other as we rub cheeks, holding on tightly as I say, “I love you.”
Bodi’s voice cracks. “I love you too.”
We pull away just enough to stare into each other’s eyes, and I soak in the joy of having my brother close and safe once more. Finally, I force myself to pat his shoulder. “Go. Be with your mates.”
“Dinner tomorrow?”
I nod with a grin. “Sounds good.” And it does. So good. And normal. It’s almost terrifying how normal, and for a moment, fear grips me. Fear that I’m actually in that place, in the dark, in the cage, and this is all a hallucination.
Bodi pulls me back into a fierce hug, whispering. “Hey. I’ve got you. It’s okay. I can stay. I want to stay, Malik. I?—”
I shake my head, pulling myself out of his hold. “I’m okay. It’s just going to take some time. Really. Go. I’ll see you at dinner tomorrow. ”
My brother continues to stare at me as if expecting me to shatter at any moment, and I don’t want him to see that I might, so I chuckle and give him a little shove. “Go. I’ll contact you if I need you. I promise.”
That seems to pacify him, and he turns to his waiting mates. Once they step through their portal, I turn back to Amri. “There’s something I need to do. Will you wait for me?”
She closes the distance between us, rises on her toes, and I lean down to meet her kiss. Her lips are gone too quickly, but her smile radiates up at me. “Go, then find me after. I’ll be here in the palace.”
My fingers absently trace lines up and down her spine. “Are you sure? You don’t need to check in with your clan?”
Her lips quirk. “Aries doesn’t run his clan like that. He expects us to be self-sufficient for the most part. But he takes good care of us.” She pats my chest. “So go. And good luck with Askari.” She winks.
Nerves settle in my gut as I kiss her once more, hoping beyond hope that while Askari no longer needs me, he still wants me.