“By the Flame,” Arach whispered.
“Yeah.” I snuggled closer. “Jerry intended to use Brevyn to force us to hand over the other Archangels and surrender, but Brevyn borrowed Jerry's magic and used it to free the entire Host from their bonds to Jerry. Once they were freed, they realized that Jerry had been controlling them for centuries, including that very battle. They instantly abandoned him, and he had to retreat.”
“That was the first battle?”
“Yeah.” I angled my head to look up at him. “Did Brevyn tell you there was more than one battle?”
“No, I overheard one of the Demons while we were waiting for Hekate to open a path. Why didn't you summon me for this battle?”
“It happened too fast. I didn't even think about it until I was about to leave. I was saying goodbye to the kids and mentioned to Brevyn that I should have mirrored you. He said it was better this way. Then he asked if I was wearing my emerald. If he hadn't, I don't think I would have thought to use it against Jerry, even though I was wearing it. Or it may have occurred to me too late. Whatever the case, I think he saved my life again today.”
“What?” Arach sat up, taking me with him.
“He didn't tell you any of this when he went back?”
“No, Brevyn returned and before I could ask him anything, he handed me the ring and gave me a date, time, and place to focus it. He said that Hekate would be waiting for me with an army, and I had to tell her to open a path to Buckingham Palace's gardens. He said people would die if I didn't act quickly. So, I didn't waste time on questions. I followed his instructions and found Hekate in Shehaquim with the army, just as Brevyn said. I assumed that you had sent him back for me, but then I heard that Demon say something about this being the second battle. I knew then that you had gone to war without me.”
“That little chicken,” I muttered. “Brev could have taken the time to explain it to you. You were coming back in time; there wasn't a rush.”
“Oh. Right. That didn't occur to me.” Arach scowled. “That was a bit cowardly of him.” Then his expression softened. “But he saved your life twice. You and Vero. I can forgive a lot for that.”
“So you're not angry with me?”
“No. And I'm sorry I was so harsh with you.”
“I'm not.” I grinned wickedly. “I'm looking forward to the next time I piss you off.”
“That's a disgusting saying.” He grimaced but also pulled me in against his side and laid back on the sooty sheets with me.
I shook my head at the mess. “This burnt bed is really going to confuse the humans.”
“An entire wall is missing, I don't think the bed will matter.”
“A missing wall and broken furniture make sense for the site of a battle. But a burned and shredded bed? Not so much.”
Arach slid a naughty look my way. “Shall we destroy it further?”
That bed didn't stand a chance.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
That night, there was a funeral for Jehovah in Heaven. As horrible as he'd been, he was still one of the founders of the pantheon, a onetime friend to many, and a father. He deserved a proper burial.
Jesus led the procession through Araboth, the Seventh Heaven. Jehovah's body floated before him wrapped in linen, and all the Angels and Demons walked solemnly behind them. My husbands and I were the only outsiders allowed to attend the burial.
We were near the gates, as far from the Throne of God as we could get while remaining in the city. Jesus turned down a gold street that ran between the back side of buildings and the city wall. At the end of the street, the gold stones trickled into a grass path that led through a grove of trees. Past the ring of trees there was a cemetery, and in the cemetery were many fresh graves.
I knew I had played a large part in killing the sacred squadrons Jerry had sent to the Golden Citadel, but knowing that and seeing their gravestones adorned with flowers were two different things. Especially now that I knew those Angels had been operating under Jerry's magical compulsion. I looked away from the bouquets, facing forward to focus on Jesus's back. There was nothing I could do for them now.
We stopped at a spot in the center of the cemetery where a marble statue of Jehovah stood over an empty grave. The likeness was spot-on and a bit eerie. The craftsman had put Jerry in robes, making him look more like the myth than the man, with his arms a little forward but pointed down, palms up, as if to say, “Here I lie. Take a good look, everyone.”
Lucifer, Jesus, Azrael, and Samael moved to surround Jehovah's body. With graceful motions of their hands, they moved the shrouded corpse together, floating it forward, then gently down into the grave. Meanwhile, the massive crowd of Angels and Demons gathered around as best they could.
Jesus went to stand before the statue. “My father had high hopes for this pantheon. Big dreams. They didn't come to pass as he expected, but he did make us great. He gave those of you who left Atlantis a new life and made a home for those who came after.” He paused to take a deep breath and exhale slowly. “I loved him. Jehovah was my father, and I have dear memories of him from my younger days. I won't speak about his later years or the friends he lost. Today is a day to forgive and let go. To acknowledge the man Jehovah once was and tried to be while we move forward from his failings. Today, we mourn the passing of our King so that we may crown a new one. We say thank you and goodbye.” Instead of using magic, he went to the pile of dirt set to one side of the grave and took a handful. “Dust to dust.” Jesus dropped the dirt into the grave. “Goodbye, Father. I hope you're finally at peace.”
One by one, we went forward and laid our handful of dirt over Jerry. My husbands and I were among the first, and as soon as we were done, we left with Jesus, moving away from the grave so that the thousands of Angels and Demons could move forward and pay their respects. There would be no need for shovels to bury Jehovah. It would be done one handful at a time.
That was something at least. But it was all Jerry would get. There would be no reception. No drinks or feasting. Not on his behalf, at least. We were going straight from the graveyard to the Throne of Heaven where the next king would be crowned.
