Cue the waterworks and sobs. That’d been one of those small fears hanging in the back of my mind, a noose waiting to slip around my throat. I had no problem being a mate or a mom. I loved both things. But just like with the idea of being Queen, I didn’t want those things to be my only identity.
I’d already lost my one passion when coming here and trying to find it again was hard. Over the last couple of months, I’d been able to steal a few hours here or there to nurture it again, but never more than that. Because there was always something needed of me. And it wasn’t the fault of my mates or the kids—we were all still finding a new normal.
But it meant more knowing they’d carved out a space that was mine. A place where I could go back to doing what I loved.
Thank you, I whispered down the bond to Hawk.Really. Thank you.
Hawk held me tighter, his embrace the only thing really holding me together. “Let’s go see the reading nook. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by it.”
I sniffled and pulled back enough to take in the spiral staircase. It was not a fat girl’s friend, especially not a fat, pregnant girl. But I doubted Thea would let him get away with it if it weren’t extra sturdy.
Just use my power, sweet wife, Damon said, sensing my thoughts—though, I had a feeling my shields were down rightnow, so they would all hear my internal dilemma.Use the shadows.
A small smile tipped Hawk’s lips as he gave me a small nod. Curiosity got the better of me, because when I sucked in a deep breath, I called upon the shadows and used them to take us upstairs. I was the only one the shadows would allow to go directly to places. Something about me being the Daughter of Nyx—and now, the Guardian. I had no complaints there, and it came in handy a lot.
As soon as the shadows receded, I got to take in thereading nook. It was more than a nook. It was the same size as the room below, though with three windows instead of one, and with it being the top of the tower, the ceiling was a little higher. Above, little stars dangled from the rafters. Like downstairs, every wall had shelves built in, which were filled with books. A large rug covered the ground, with two big armchairs set up beside one another and a table between them.
“Two?” I asked quietly.
From the stairs, a familiar blonde head appeared. “You think I’d let you have an entire reading room all to yourself?” Thea asked with a grin. “No, babe, we still have book club. AndOutlanderto watch. I scored us a projector.”
Did I do good?my mate asked.
I glanced up at him with a smile.Very good. You all did. I love you.
Hawk pressed a kiss to my forehead. “I’ll leave you two to get acquainted with the space. Just let us know if you need anything. Enjoy, my love. It’s all yours.”
Goddess above, he made me feel like the luckiest girl in the world. In all the realms. They all did.
And to think, I gave up on love.
But I was glad it found me in the end.
11
Xerxes
Iknocked quietly on Ivy’s office door, admiring the carved wood. Orion had commissioned a woodworker in the Spring Court to create something for Ivy, and the Fae artist had done it beautifully. The scene depicted the moment Ivy announced she would no longer be Queen of the realms. She stood at the very centre with Nyx’s skull in her hands, the Goddess’s crown glowing atop her head. We, her mates, were gathered in a half-circle around her, protectors and lovers, shielding her from the fallen enemy unseen.
There were other elements of the design one could spend hours looking into but never find all the secrets. Like the faces of her loyal soldiers, or the different creatures of Nyx. Even our mate marks were carved into the wood, hidden between imagery of vines and flowers that replicated Ivy’s magic.
Through the bond, I felt Ivy brush at my barriers. I’d gotten used to throwing them up whenever I left the island, as did most of us now to protect ourselves and her from those who might intend harm.
You’re home, she said, the door opening silently.
My very pregnant mate rose from behind her desk, grinning widely at me. I entered the room, breathing a sigh of relief at the sight of her. “We just got back.”
“I thought you would be gone until tonight.” Ivy walked towards me, but I rushed to meet her, pulling her into my arms. Just her touch alone soothed my beast, bringing me a sense of peace I so desperately needed. I’d only been gone twenty-four hours, but that had been long enough without her—especially considering how close she was to giving birth.
I held her close, breathing in her sweet scent. “The meeting finished early,” I replied quietly. “The Primals are wary, but they are open to our suggestion.”
Ivy pulled away, eyes wide. “They are? That’s fantastic!” she said, beaming.
I couldn’t help but match her smile with one of my own. “It’ll take time for them to trust us, but they will elect three members to join the council. And they even offered to send two scholars into Oberon at Rowan’s recommendation.”
“Oh, Goddess, that’s great!” Ivy hugged me tighter, her heart racing, the bond bright and happy. “Oh, I am so glad they want to work with us. I would have understood if they didn’t, but with the barrier between realms coming down, they’ll be able to reach us soon—and we, them. An alliance is better than war.”
I had to agree there. With the knowledge that Theros—or as Ivy and the other creatures of Nyx called it, the Old World—was alive and filled with creatures never seen before by the realms, there were many curious and afraid of what it could mean.
