“Of course.”
“And if, for some unknown reason, they need your help, you will provide.”
“Gladly.”
Hades grimaced again. “Fine. Do all that, and you're forgiven.”
“Thank you.” Ace bowed deeply, still holding Bruno.
“Son of a bitch,” Hades muttered. “I was really looking forward to an epic final battle. Or at least an execution. I feel so unsatisfied.”
“I will confess my crimes to the Olympians,” Helios said.
Hades grunted, reminding me of Jake. “Fine.” He looked at me. “Goddess or not, you still have a bargain to fulfill,Selene.”
I grinned. “Oh, I know. And I have every intention of fulfilling it.” I lifted a brow at my brother. “So, about that curse, He-he?”
Apollo of the Romans, Helios of the Greeks, and my twin brother inclined his head, the past finally forgiven.
With that simple act, my curse was broken. I felt it. Not a shattering, but a lightness. The freedom I'd been chasing. It turned out that I wasn't after freedom from men or society but my curse. I may not have been exactly mortal in that god-given body, but I wasn't a goddess either. Not until the curse vanished. Then my magic rose. It didn't explode when released, as Apollo's might have done, but instead grew slowly brighter. It seeped into my cells, up through my bones, and out of my skin. Altering. Claiming. Restoring. My magic took what Hades had given me and made it a true representation of my soul. This flesh was all mine now, and all goddess.
I inhaled as moonlight filled me and set me to glowing. Not warm light like my brother's, but cool. His counterpart. I was silver to his gold. Calm to his fury. Water to his fire. We were balance, and that balance had finally been restored. Helios didn't lift that curse from me alone, but also from Earth. All over the world, a subtle imbalance was at play, and my power surged out of me to correct it.
No, I wasn't merely a moon goddess. Do not mistake me for Artemis. In Rome, I am Luna. Iamthe Moon. The power of that celestial body flows through me at will. I can turn the tides, grant balance to physical bodies, and drive men insane (women too, it just sounded better to say men). But I wasn'tonly the Moon anymore. I had changed because of my many reincarnations as a human.
I was born to be in the sky. But now, I was more grounded. My home was no longer among the stars. It was on Earth, with three demigods whose threads had been tangled with mine. Those damn Moirai—bless their destiny-filled hearts. I should send them a muffin basket. No, not fruit. No one likes a fruit basket. But muffins. Now, everyone loves muffins. Muffins are delicious.
Holding out my arms, I embraced my returning magic and gloried in it. When I opened my eyes, the room was bathed in my light. Not as bright as Helios's. My light was soft. Feminine. Embracing. I didn't want to blind those who would adore me. I wanted to be seen. At the moment, I wanted three men in particular to see me.
I looked around at the three men who gaped at me. Nope. Not those three. “Brother, it's been great catching up. Let's do this again soon, but without the curses.” I winked at him. “Nephew, I love you. Just not as, well, let's leave all that in the past, shall we? And let's never speak of it again.” I faced Hades last. “Hades, thank you for forgiving my family.”
“Just make sure to look after mine, Selene.” Hades took me by my upper arms and kissed my cheek. “Do you need a ride back to Earth?”
“No. I can make it home on my own, thanks.”
“Home, eh?”
“Yes, Hades. Home. They'remyboys now.” I smiled at him, as serene as the Moon, and disappeared as the Lord of the Underworld gaped at me.
I do love a dramatic exit.
Chapter Thirty-Four
As much as I adore a dramatic exit, an exciting entrance is even more fabulous.
I appeared in a ray of moonlight, arms out and skin softly shining, in the middle of my arguing men. They went silent, gaping at me, then just stood there.
I dropped my arms with a huff. “Well? Aren't you going to say something? Look at me! Am I not wondrous to behold? Hello? Lost goddess found! Don't you just want to adore me?” I turned in a circle. “I'm gorgeous and a fucking badass!”
“Salina?” Jake whispered.
“What happened to you?” Lex added.
“We've been out of our minds with worry over you!” Cyrus growled. “Where have you been? The security cameras showed you getting taken by Ace. Ace, who is obviously not human!”
Jake narrowed his eyes at me. “And then you just pop in like this? What the fuck, woman?! And what happened to your face?”
“Oh, no, you did not justwomanme!” I pointed at him. “Didn't you hear me say that I'm a goddess? A. God. ESS! It's Selene, not Salina. I'm the lost Moon Goddess.”
