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"Congratulations on mating with Iron Heart. I never thought he would do it," Kaspian had told her with a deep rumble of laughter.
"He just needed the right woman. We'll find you one next," Zori had teased.
Kaspian had laughed even harder. "She would have to be quite a woman, and I would have to survive the assault on Maxim's tower first."
"Once you're done, come home so we can drink to my mating," Zori had told him before hanging up.
Kaspian had called only four hours later to say that the assault on the tower had begun.
Zori didn't have time to wonder or speculate how he and his team were doing. They had their own battles to fight that night. Maxim was heading for the city and fast.
Zori slid a knife down the side of her boot and put on her blackshubawith her feathered cape on the shoulders. They didn't want Maxim or anyone else to know that she was mated. The more they underestimated her, the better. Irina had cast a glamor over her to diminish the feel of her magic and had slyly given her some contraceptive tea and a healing balm.
Vladik straightened Zori's collar before bringing her close and pressed his lips to her forehead. "Whatever happens tonight, I want you to know that I love you, and I'm so glad you chose me to be your mate. You are my soul. I'll protect you until my heart stops, my dearest Zoria."
"I know you will. I love you, and I promise we will have many more nights together. There will be no dying for us tonight," Zori replied, wrapping her arms around his neck. He drew her into one of his bone melting, soul burning kisses that silenced all her nerves and fears. This was what Maxim and Chernobog was trying to take from her, like they took it from her mother. Never again.
Morana had said that Zori was strong enough to face them, and she had to believe that the goddess wouldn't abandon her when it mattered most. Zori's faith in Morana might be shaky, but her faith in Vladik, Aleksandr, and Irina was unshakeable. They loved their people and would do what it took to keep them all safe.
"We need to go," Vladik said, pulling away from her.
"Let's go kick their asses so I can get my honeymoon. That's a thing after mating, right?" Zori asked, walking up the stairs to the roof access.
"Definitely. I'm planning on some uninterrupted quality time with you in my bed," Vladik replied, his eyes shining hot with promise.
Zori shook her head at him. "Horny even going into battle. Unbelievable."
"Puppy, if you are standing in the same room as me, I'm going to be horny. I can't help it." Vladik picked her up in his arms and spread his wings.
Zori snuggled into his neck and nibbled on his ear lobe. "Fight now. Fuck later."
"We have a deal," he said, and they launched into the air.
Aleksandr's scouts had spotted Maxim and the mercenaries clearing the first check point towards the city. They had used some of Zori's blood to draw sigils on trees in an effort to confuse Maxim and hisvolhvif they tried to use tracking spells.
They were following the path Irina had laid out for them. They only needed to get Zori in place before thevolhvhit the final point.
Zori didn’t know how she was going to feel when she finally was face to face with Maxim. She had seen him as an uncle, or as close to one as she understood, and his betrayal was like a wound that wouldn’t stop bleeding. She didn’t want to kill him unless she had no other choice, but she didn’t know how else to stop him either.
Morana, please help me get through this,she prayed, not knowing if the goddess was listening.
* * *
The night wasclear and dark. The stars were shining, but there was no moon. It felt like a night for the goddess to be walking. Zori could feel power in the air and hoped it would be enough.
Vladik flew fast and silent over the city and to the forest. They were nearing the city walls when Zori spotted the bright flashes of light through the trees.
"Irina's mages are slowing them down," Vladik said, pointing them out. As they flew closer, Zori could hear the guns and shouts of battle. Roars shook the night. Gargoyles ambushed the mercenaries, ripping huge guns off the top of Jeeps and crushing them with their claws.
Zori's hair lifted on the back of her neck, and her head swiveled. There was a group of red robed priests, all standing around the one in the center.
"Maxim," she breathed.
Her old guardian looked up, and she saw the recognition burn in his gaze. He lifted a staff, and a red bolt of lightning shot through the sky towards them.
"Dive, Vladik!" Zori shouted, and he dropped, banking to the left. The bolt shot past so close that the heat of it burned her cheeks. More bolts were flying towards them, the priests joining Maxim shooting off their own spells.
Mages appeared through the trees, attacking thevolhvand drawing their attention away.
