“Kyrie.”
She hadn’t heard him come in until he was there, closing his hands around her and pulling her into his arms. Her own hands reached out, intending to shove him away only to get lost in a tight lock around his neck. She was hauled into his lap like a child with her legs clamped around his waist and left to spill her broken heart down his shoulder as he stroked her back and murmured quietly into her ear.
“He took my baby!”
His fingers tightened in her hair and he crushed her closer. “We’re going to find her,” he promised. “I swear it.”
Beneath his tender hand, her back heaved. She wondered if he could feel the shards of her broken heart; the sharp edges were cutting into every piece of her it could reach. But he never stopped holding her, not even when her tears finally subsided and she lay limp against his chest, her head pillowed on his shoulder. She was the one to draw back. Her hand lifted to wipe her face only to have his already there. His palms cradled her cheeks and he lovingly brushed away the moisture with his thumbs. His gray eyes stared into hers, mirroring her own heartbreak and pain.
“I will fix this,” he vowed. “I will bring her home to you. I don’t care what I have to do. I will never stop searching for her.”
She believed him. The fierce determination burning behind his eyes thrummed with a force that promised nothing less than everything he promised her.
He would not fail.
Valkyrie leaned her brow against his and closed her eyes. There were so many things she wanted to say, so many fears she wanted to throw out into the air, but she knew once they were spoken, she would never get ahold of herself again.
“I want to kill them,” she whispered instead. “Whoever has her, whoever took her, I want to be the one to end his life.”
Gideon kissed her and she wondered if he could taste her bitter hatred and anger.
“It will be yours.”
He sealed it into her skin with another kiss.
That singular promise was the thing that unwound the tension stiffening the ridges of her spine. She softened in his arms. Her eyes closed and she breathed for what felt like the first time.
The quiet creak of doors opening alerted them to the tiny, pale face poking through the plastic folds. Riley offered them a rueful grin, but came no closer.
“Just seeing if everything was all right.”
Gideon looked to Valkyrie, silently asking her the same question.
She nodded. “Everything will be fine.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
“Liam, you really ought to be resting!” Kyaerin fussed with the blanket draped around Liam’s shoulders, despite his protest.
“Darling, I am fine.”
It had been a week since his near death. The gray of rigamortis had left his complexion and he no longer panted when walking up the stairs, yet that made no difference to his wife, who had all but appointed herself his shadow.
“What if the thing that made you better fails because you won’t let it work!” she shot back.
Liam sighed. “I promise you that it has healed me completely.”
It surprised Valkyrie that he hadn’t told anyone how he made his miraculous recovery, not even Kyaerin. The others, while curious, never asked. Maybe they were just relieved he wasn’t dying. Maybe they didn’t want to jinx it. Whatever the reason, she was relieved. It was a secret she wanted to keep, if for no other reason than because she didn’t want the praise it would bring. The fact that Liam was alive was all the gratitude she wanted.
“You know what I would like?” Liam stated over his wife’s fretting. “A walk to stretch my legs.” He put his hand up when everyone argued the dangers of that. “Just through the manor. Valkyrie, why don’t you join me? I have something I wish to discuss.”
Valkyrie knew exactly what that thing was and started to refuse, but he was already pushing to his feet. The blanket was slung off and draped over the back of his chair despite Kyaerin’s insistence that he should keep it on. He took her face into his hands and kissed her, stilling all further arguments.
“I am fine,” he vowed solemnly. “I am not going anywhere.”
Kyaerin’s small shoulders sagged even as her eyes welled up. “You better not,” she warned him with just a slight catch in her voice. “I will never forgive you if you do.”
He smiled and kissed her again before stepping back.
Seeing no other choice, Valkyrie rose and followed him through the kitchen doors towards the back. Neither spoke until they cleared the third story landing and started down its dusty corridor.
“I never thanked you,” he said. “For what you did.”
“I didn’t do anything,” she mumbled. “You must have been dreaming.”
His quiet chuckle turned up his lips. “You are a strange one, Valkyrie.” He stopped walking and turned to face her. “I never understood you. You had such disdain for me and my family, so much anger, yet you were always there, fighting with us, protecting us, and more times than not, saving our lives when you had no reason to and I just...” he trailed off with a shake of his head. “I couldn’t wrap my head around why. But now I see it. I finally understand.”
“What?” The inaudible croak of her voice fazed neither of them.
“You have always belonged here, and, no, not simply because you are Gideon’s mate. Even if you had not been, this is your place, with us. You, Riley, and Daphne. You are each a piece of what make us a family and I couldn’t be prouder.”
Valkyrie had no idea what to say to that, didn’t know how to respond around the lump that had lodged in her throat. It wasn’t until the words had been spoke that she realized just how long she had been waiting for someone to say them, to tell her they were proud of her.
His smile was gentle and understanding, the sort of smile a father would give one of his children. It was the sight of it that distracted her from seeing his hand until it touched her face wet with tears she had no knowledge of shedding.
“I will keep your secret and what you have done for me, but I will never forget it.” He leaned over and kissed her brow. “Thank you.”
Twilight glowed against the windows as Valkyrie crept out of Gideon’s arms and shuffled downstairs. There were no lights to guide her, but she had taken that path so many times in the past week that she didn’t need it to find the trapdoor. The hinges squeaked as she wrenched open the flap. She wore no shoes and her feet were soundless going down. Below, she heard the raspy pants growing louder, the sound of desperation and fear at what was about to come. They no longer pleased her, or angered her. They had no effect on her at all.
“Are you ready to talk?”
Epilogue
“It is done.” Tiana stood before the white desk, her mane of ebony curls pinned high up on top of her head. Her gown of gold contrasted with the starkness of the room and the hunched little man across from her. “Our arrangement is finished. You have betrayed our bargain.”
“Have I?”
Long, slender fingers pressed into the gleaming wood of his desk as she leaned forward. “When I gave you my men, you swore to me that no one would get hurt.”
Baron chuckled. “This is a war, Tiana. People get hurt. People die. It is a necessary evil for the greater good.”
“No!” Her teeth flashed against her warm, golden skin. “That is not what we agreed upon.”
“And what did you think we were agreeing to?” he countered evenly. “A peaceful war? There is no such thing.”
“I did not agree to let children be burned!”
“Yet your men did it.” He laughed. “I only told them to be convincing.” He smirked at her stricken expression. “I think you need to ask yourself, what sort of kingdom you are ruling where the men are so ... hotheaded.”
“I am repulsed by what you have made my people become.” Her ragged breaths hissed through the room. “What we did to that girl...”
“She had already imprinted on the boy,” he attempted to pacify her. “It was only a matter of time
before they officiated their love. Besides, I needed that child.”
Revulsion turned her lips. “That poor woman...” A shaky hand went to her chest. “Having her child torn from her like that...”
“Funny. That sounds exactly like something you would do.”
For a moment, Tiana looked like she was going to hurl something at his head. “That was a different circumstance!”
“And yet, here we are.”
“Our arrangements are over.”
“Not quite.” He steepled his fingers beneath his chin. “I’m releasing her.”
Outraged shone in her dark eyes and thinned her full mouth. “You swore you would keep that thing locked away.”
Baron nodded as her panicked words crashed through the room. “I have kept her locked away for centuries ... as promised, but it is time she played her part.”
“You swore!” Tiana roared, her beautiful, calm exterior finally showing the fine cracks barely holding her together. “You swore you would never release her.”
“I said no such thing. I merely stated I would keep her protected until she becomes of use to me. Now is that time.”
Her dainty nostrils flared with her rage, sharpening her draconian features. “You will regret ever crossing me, Baron. I will make you suffer.”
While he never moved, he knew the moment she sensed his annoyance, the moment it shimmered in his eyes, a solitary warning not to push. Her jaw clacked shut with a resounding click and she reared back as though the force of it physically struck her.
“I believe it is time for you to leave, Tiana,” he stated coolly. “Do not forget what I have done for you and how displeased I will become should you cross me.”
Her ample breasts heaved against the bodice of her gown, but she had not ruled for eons without competition because she was a foolish woman. She knew when it was time to retreat. But she did so with the grace of her people, with her shoulders squared and her chin held high. Baron could almost admire her if their history wasn’t a bitter tang in his mouth.
No sooner had the door snapped shut behind her when it opened again and Jacinta poked her head through.
Ever prompt, he thought. Of his many children, she was the one that least disappointed him. She was also the only one he almost trusted and only because she belonged to him like so many. Her loyalty was a fine thread of silk woven around his finger, as was her life. While she was smart enough never to show her displeasure, he knew she loathed him like all the rest. That was fine. He did not require her loyalty. He only required her obedience. The rest he could control.
“Sir?”
“Summon the Gravedigger. Tell him I require further knowledge of what is to come.”
Jacinta scribbled his instructions down hastily. “And the child, sir?” She lifted her head and peered through her odd shaped glasses in his direction. There was disgust in her eyes that was well hidden behind her cool mask of indifference. “What will you do with it?”
Baron slanted a barely brief glance in the direction of his drawer where he had tucked away the vial Devlin had given him containing the unborn essence of Gideon and Valkyrie Maxwell’s child.
“You never know when you need a bargaining chip,” he mused. “Especially now that Devlin has been captured, I need a recruiter to find me soldiers for my war and the Maxwell brothers are always so willing to self-sacrifice.” He rapped his fingers on the table thoughtfully. “Now that the north, south and west have sworn their allegiance and their armies are mine, the angels will be at my mercy.”
He watched Jacinta’s features carefully and was impressed by how well she was trained to suppress her disdain of him.
“Are you not worried Devlin will tell them about you? The brothers, I mean.”
Baron waved a hand dismissively. “Not in the least. They will eventually find out and they will eventually come to me, demanding the child’s return. Truth be told.” He smoothed a hand down the front of his ocean blue suit. “It’s a wonder he has not broken yet. He was always so weak and single-minded. His obsession with Kyaerin Maxwell was entertaining in the beginning, but his vendetta is the reason he is in the mess he is in now. However, I do have to admit I severely underestimated his endurance.”
“Why do you have the child, sir?” Jacinta muttered, clearly unimpressed by his behavior.
“Leverage!” he snapped, hating to repeat himself. “I may have Octavian Maxwell’s obedience, but the others are still free to join the angels and I cannot have that. They must all serve me, just like the other three houses now under my control.”
“What of Valkyrie’s father?” Jacinta glanced at her notes. “You asked me to keep an eye on his activities. He has sent Harvesters to the north despite your original warning. There is also word that he has put a bounty on his daughter’s head to the demon that brings her to him.”
Frustration broke off him in a burdened sigh. A pain had begun pulsing between his eyes and he pinched the spot between his thumb and forefinger.
“Does that man never learn?” he muttered to no one in particular. “The Maxwell family is essential to my plans!” He raised his head and met Jacinta’s level gaze. “Send for him immediately.”
“Before or after the Gravedigger, sir?”
There was a hint of mockery in the question that he chose to ignore.
“Before. This is a matter that requires my immediate attention.” He sighed again. “It is time that Arild Devereaux remembers who put him in power and who can just as easily take it away. We are too close to let some overbearing idiot stop us.”
Jacinta made a note of his commands.
“One final thing, sir.” She lifted her chin. “There is talk that the angels are moving into position.”
Irritation propelled out him out of his seat. “And why did you not start with that information?”
While her tone was cool, her expression betrayed just a hint of arrogance. “It was last in my notes.”
Willing himself to calm down, Baron straightened. “From now on, word on the angels come to me directly and immediately, do you understand?” At her nod, he continued. “If they are on to us, we will have to speed things up. Get Typhon and tell him to bring the girl. We have no time to waste.”
The End
Coming Soon!
Magnus’ Defeat
Sons of Judgment Saga,
Book #3
Acknowledgement
There are always so many people that deserve their own golden ticket to a chocolate factory for all their hard work, so many people who make up a book. My family first and foremost. It’s incredible how much they put up when it comes to me. But they’re always there, loving me and supporting me. I won the damn lottery with you guys. To my editor, Katherine and PA Amber for never saying no, no matter how crazy I know I drive you guys. My beta readers, Krystal, Jaime and Kia for always being my loudest cheerleaders and making me feel like a million bucks. The girls from the Dark Court for giving me a friendship that spans whole countries. My readers for never quitting on me, for loving everything I put out and for just being the best.
Love you all!
~Airicka
About Airicka Phoenix
Airicka Phoenix lives in a world where unicorns, fairies and mermaids run amok through her home on a daily basis. When she’s not chasing after pixies and rounding up imps, also known as her four children, she can be found conjuring up evil villains, bad-ass heroines and swoon-worthy heroes to play with.
Airicka is singlehandedly responsible for her greatly anticipated collections, The Touch Saga, The Lost Girl Duology, The Regeneration Series, Games of Fire & Betraying Innocence. She also writes mature paranormal & contemporary romance under the dark guise of Morgana Phoenix. To date, she is responsible for The Sons of Judgment Saga, In The Dark Series, & The Baby Saga.
For more about Airicka and the realm she rules with an iron fist—and tons of chocolate—visit her at www.airickaphoenix.com
; Morgana Phoenix, Gideon's Promise (Sons of Judgment Book 2)
Gideon's Promise (Sons of Judgment Book 2) Page 49
