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Bug shot into the air, his wings rapidly buzzing. “Bug can get it.”
“No, Bug.” Phoenix held out a staying hand. “You stay here with your family.”
* * *
AFTER THEY DESCENDEDthe aerie, she followed her mates into their bedchamber. She sank into a chair by the hearth, staring into the ashes while processing all that had happened. She wondered if her mother would’ve rushed into Gorgo’s lair knowing she’d be turned into a bug in her next life. She thought about all her mother had done over the past few millennia, from stealing Daeva and Horatiu’s souls, to cursing her fathers and causing the deaths of hundreds of innocents. Considering the extent of her sins, she supposed Jezebeth had been lucky that the creator had let her come back at all. At least as a volucri, she had less of a chance of turning evil. Phoenix had never known an unkind volucri.
“What are you going to tell Abera?”
She looked up at Damon, thanking him when he handed her a glass of wine. “I’m not.” She sank in her chair, sipping the sweet wine. She’d given this some thought on the way down. With so much magic at their disposal, Abera would find a way to transform that little larvae into a baby that looked like the old Jezebeth. Not only would such a spell break Drisinda and Bug’s hearts, but she didn’t think it would be best for her mother’s soul. She envisioned Abera taking the baby from her parents and raising her to be exactly like the previous Jezebeth. Her mother’s soul deserved a better start, raised by kind, humble parents. When the larvae reached adulthood, Phoenix would give Jezebel the option of remaining in bug form or transforming into her former self, and she would only tell Abera with Jezebel’s permission.
She went to her mother’s lantern, now empty, and cast a spell, giving it the illusion that it had floating soul fragments inside. She turned to her mates. “And I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell Abera.”
They nodded their agreement.
Helius folded his arms. “Agreed. She will try to corrupt that innocent little bug.” He shared a look with his brothers. “We’ll tell our mother and the servants to keep it a secret.”
Cadmus knelt beside her, a hand on her knee. “Are you okay?”
She loosed a breath, and a sense of calm came over her. “I’m wonderful, actually. Thank you for asking.”
“You’ve had a shock,” Helius said as he sat on the ottoman across from her, his knees pressing into hers. “It’s okay if you need time to process.”
She ran her finger over the rim of her glass while eyeing Helius.How about we honeymoon in the mortal realm?
Awareness dawned in his eyes.You might get pregnant.
She climbed out of her chair and into his lap, nibbling his ear.I know.
He flashed a grin so wicked, it rivaled the devil himself.How about we start the honeymoon now?
She bit her lip.We have to get back to the wedding.
To hell with the wedding!
She tossed back her head with a groan, surrendering to him when he raked his teeth down her neck.
He laid her down on the furs beside the hearth, and he and his brothers lavished her with love until they were all sated and spent.
Her makeup was smeared and her heart was full by the time they crept into the wedding garden. Eilea’s small children were weaving in and out through Tan’yi’nug’s legs, squealing when he pretended to squish them with his paws. He wouldn’t, though. He doted on those children as much as he did his queen.
The Thunderfoots finally seemed at ease, drinking and laughing with Eilea’s mates. Even Phoenix and Daeva’s brothers and their mate and children seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Arm in arm, Hecate and Eilea banged metal spoons on their wine glasses, calling for a toast. Daeva and her mates hooted and hollered, and the rest of the party raised their glasses, too.
“To family,” Hecate said, beaming.
“To family!” the wolves howled in unison.
Phoenix clanked glasses with her mates.To family, past, present, and future.
The End.
Please read on for a scene from Heart of Her Wolves, my new reverse harem wolf shifter/Fae fantasy romance.
