“Apologies, Evanthe.” I place my hand on top of Mercy’s as I lean in to whisper, “I guess we have to wait until later.”
She giggles nervously.
“Can I trust the two of you to make it to the throne room, or do I need to escort you myself?” Evanthe asks, raising a stern brow and narrowing her eyes in a disapproving look.
I smirk. “I assure you, lady Evanthe, we can make it to the throne room.”
“That’s right, Evanthe, I’ll make sure they don’t get lost,” Beelzebub says, appearing in the corridor. “Let’s not keep your guests waiting. Follow me,” he adds, motioning for us to do so.
As I escort Mercy through the dimly lit corridors, I reach for her through the bond.I love you.
I love you more,she taunts.”
“Mercy…”I start, then pause. “Should I still call you that?”
“You can, but I think I like Selestina. It feels like a fresh start.”
“I understand. It changes nothing, my love. I will love you in every lifetime. A mortal name is just that—mortal. Tonight we begin a new chapter, Selestina, Queen of the dead.”I pat her hand tenderly.
She beams at me, and I realize this is all I’ve ever wanted for her. Everything I fought for was so she’d be happy, no longer burdened by the life she lived before she belonged to me.
“Always and forever, Azrael. In every lifetime I will always love you too.”
Fuck. She knows just what to say to get to me. We round the corner, and I no longer have time to dwell on our love or the partof the ceremony I’ll enjoy later—we’re standing face to face with the oversized double doors leading to the throne. A murmur of voices is audible from the other side as my brothers talk amongst themselves. The entrance is heavily guarded, as are we. Looking over my shoulder, I realize we’re flanked by at least fifteen warriors.
It’s clear Beelzebub has no intention of allowing anyone to harm me now that I’ve returned to take control of the Kingdom of Shadow and Bone. The guard nods at him, pulling open the door, and I feel Mercy—I mean Selestina— take a deep breath. I squeeze her hand beneath mine, offering reassurance. It’s almost over, and then we can finally be alone. I’m eager to return to the mortal realm and get things under the big top in order now that the Ringmaster has been eradicated.
Suddenly, the room goes quiet as the glowing fountains of mage-light erupt, casting shadows everywhere. Mine hold a protective circle around my mate, unwilling to chance one of my brothers making an irrational decision.
Beelzebub’s voice booms loud and clear through the throne room. “May I present the true king of the Kingdom of Shadow and Bone, Lucifer, Lord of the Underworld… Ruler of Hell. And beside him, his fate-bound mate, Selestina… Queen of the Dead, shadow-kissed and fallen.”
Gasps and murmurs fill the throne room. “Silence!”
My command echoes off the walls, and my brothers fall silent immediately. The control is short-lived. Magic fizzles through the air.
The Fates have arrived.
Our guests gasp. Their appearance is unexpected. My body goes numb and cold. I owe them a favor—I hope they haven’t come to collect it.
“Azrael,” they screech.
My shadows strengthen their shield around my mate.
“Your true nature has been revealed. The monster within no longer lurks, he rules.” The Wraith of Present rasps.
“The path forward is clear. King, you shall be once more. Swear your allegiance and claim the throne, Lucifer,” whispers the Wraith of Past.
“Together is the only way. A lamb for the lion. You must restore the balance,” warns the Wraith of Future.
They walk through time, rushing forward until they stand before us at the bottom of a set of stairs draped in a velvet carpet. Deadly warriors block them from getting any closer, and the protective wards around the throne hold, protecting us for now. Something tells me this isn’t stopping them, but they don’t care to attack us.
“We mean you no harm,” the Present snickers, holding up a crown. It’s carved from bone, designed to spike at the tip and wrapped in shadow. Four runes glitter at the center. Power thrums, pulsing from it. The shadows reach for mine—calling to me, begging to be reunited once more.
“We’ve kept your crown hidden and safe until we were allowed to return it. Are you ready to rule once more?” the Future snaps.
“Yes,” I reply.
“Give us entry through your shields so that we may crown you,” the Present demands.
