Candace steps forward with her hair billowing back in golden coils and her white gown flows like water, an effect from the wild wind Demetri brings with him.
Demetri pauses about ten feet away and nods.
“I understand congratulations are in order.” His brows hike a notch as he looks right at me. “You are a formidable opponent, Skyla.”
“I was,” I say. “But our war is over. I won. It won’t happen again.”
His eyes flash my mother’s way. “I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”
Marshall belts out a dark laugh. “Demetri, your delusions are dangerous and destructive. There is no hope for the two of you reconciling. Accept your fate and be done with it.”
“So it’s true,” I say as I step in between my mother and Demetri. “You were lovers?” I shake my head as I look into my mother’s glassy eyes. “And this eternal scrimmage—it was because of that love?”
“Yes.” Demetri’s lips curl. “But no matter what the victory, I will always love your mother, Skyla. Always,” he says it a second time while looking right at her.
My chest bucks with a silent laugh. “And what about my other mother? What about Lizbeth? Don’t tell me you put on a show for her. I won’t believe you.” I can’t. A part of me knows how much his affection means to her. It would break my heart if it weren’t true.
“Now, Skyla.” He bows my way. “You of all people should know there’s room in one’s heart to love two people with the same vibrant Eros passion.” He looks to Gage and Logan.
My heart thumps wildly as I take up Marshall’s hand. “Or in my case—three.”
Logan steps up by my side and Gage does as well.
Logan nods to my mother. “So this was all a game?”
“No game.” My mother’s eyes never leave Demetri’s as they look at one another transfixed. “As of now, Celestra, which consists of all the Factions at the moment, will assist me in the millennial reign. As for Demetri, he and his kind will be akin to civil servants, escorting the dying. You won’t reign with me, Demetri. You’ll be under my heel, my charge.”
Demetri closes his eyes a moment, and a genuine look of pain flashes over his face.
Demetri glances my way. “We once had everything—your mother and me. My error was assuming I could be her equal.”
She nods. “Right before you assumed you could be my superior. I suppose we’ve settled the matter.”
Demetri sighs as if acquiescing, and perhaps this is as close as we’ll get to seeing him admit defeat.
“You have most certainly made it clear.” He offers an affable smile to my mother. “Shall we play again?”
Gage starts to charge at him, and my mother holds a hand up.
“Nobody touches him,” she hisses it so fast the words cut through the wind like a sword. “He gave you life, Gage Oliver. He is your father and will be respected as such.”
“What?” I squawk with protest.
“Yes, Skyla,” she insists. “That’s what I said, and it’s certainly what I meant.”
I scoff over at the prince of darkness. “Fine,” I spit the word out. “But I want all charges against Tad dropped posthaste.”
Gage steps in close. “And we don’t want any more bull from you. Not one freaking ounce.” I can tell Gage was going for the saltier versions of those words, but the celestial powers-that-be disabled him from doing so.
Demetri closes his eyes and gives the slightest hint of a nod.
Candace squints over at Demetri with a look that gives me the chills. “Go. I want to see you in celebratory form by the lake. I’ll be there in a moment.”
Demetri sheds a wicked grin as he strides past us, and I can’t help but feel he’s been denied his full comeuppance.
“Not true, Skyla.” My mother takes my hand. “Not being my mate will be a fate worse than the fires of Hell could bring him.” Her gaze drifts in his direction, and for a moment, that look on her face suggests the same fate has befallen her already. “I’ve given him Lizbeth to comfort him.”
My mouth opens to protest, but she lifts a hand. “Not now, Skyla. We’ve still some ground to cover,” she says just as my father heads over with my precious Sage by his side. They’re holding hands, and it pleases me to no end that she has a wonderful bond with the most wonderful father I could have ever asked for.
