I don’t think my father was ever humane or sane.
True, she agreed. But he’s also not wrong. Our sacrifices have strengthened us. I feel now more than I ever have before.
Sethios understood what she meant. It was as though they’d bonded all over again, on an even deeper level.
He could sense her every inhale, could almost hear the beating of her heart, and could nearly read her mind. Not each individual word, but her emotions were very much tied to his. As though their souls had married one another on another plane of existence, creating a bond that was so much more intense than their initial mating.
Perhaps because they’d imbibed so much of each other’s blood.
Yet they often did that during sex.
So maybe his father was right. Maybe he had somehow emboldened their relationship through his fucked-up trials.
Osiris smiled. “Your bond is going to prove most useful in the times ahead.”
Sethios gritted his teeth, holding back a retort about how unlikely it was that his father would ever be able to use their bond to his benefit.
“Well, my task here is done. You’ll both ensure Elizabeth survives her childbirth. Then I’ll be in touch with next steps. We have a war to prepare for, something you’ll better understand soon. Until then, I’ll let you keep Skye. You’re going to need her.” He flashed them both an indulgent smile, then vanished without another word.
Sethios gaped at the vacant space, the compulsion surrounding him disappearing in a whisper of power. “That’s it?” He’d persuaded Sethios to come here... to take care of Elizabeth and her baby?
Caro walked over to him, her frown matching how he felt inside. “I agree. That felt rather anticlimactic.”
“He wants something,” Sethios replied. “This can’t be as simple as just bringing in a few Hydraians. He’ll be back.”
“Should we move her?”
He palmed the back of his neck, considering their options, and glanced at the stirring female. His father must have released her of the sleeping compulsion. “We might not have time,” he muttered, noting the fluttering of her red lashes. “I think he means for Astasiya to come here. He knows she’s loyal to Elizabeth. The moment she learns of her location and condition, she’ll want to be here for her friend.”
“Then we could mist Elizabeth to Hydria quickly,” Caro offered.
Sethios shook his head. “Osiris wasn’t wrong about the council. Skye said they know and would kill the child. They’ll find her in Hydria. The one thing I think he didn’t lie about was the wards around this property. He built it to protect her because he needs something from her.”
“So you think we should stay here?”
He hated his answer, but he had to be honest. “Yes. I think she’s safe here.”
“And Astasiya?”
“I think she’ll arrive the second she knows we’re all here,” he admitted. “Which will likely play right into Osiris’s plans. But I don’t think he wants to hurt her. Not yet, anyway. She’s too valuable to him.”
“He could take her.”
“Yes,” Sethios agreed. “But—”
A shriek sounded from the bed, forcing them both to move toward the writhing redhead. She wasn’t fully aware of her surroundings yet, but the child inside her certainly was.
It seemed Skye was right.
The day Sethios learned how to mist was the same day Elizabeth went into labor.
There was only one thing he could say. “Fuck.”
“Caro and Sethios should be here by now,” Gabriel said, pacing the length of Balthazar’s living room. “Something’s wrong.” He disappeared without another word.
“Yeah, that’s helpful,” Stas muttered, glancing at Issac. “Can I punch him again when he returns?”
“Absolutely, love.” He wrapped his arm around her, giving her a slight squeeze. “Let’s return our focus on Elizabeth. Where would the Seraphim take her?”
