Griffin’s gaze seemed to suddenly glisten. Carver felt his eyes sting and blinked sharply. “If I have in my old age what Father has right here, I’ll be happy,” he said hoarsely.
“You will.” Cat bent and kissed his cheek. She kissed her niece’s dark head, too. The easy display of affection might’ve surprised him except he knew Cat had found her peace. When she chose to forgive her greatest enemy, it allowed her to forgive herself. If she’d decided to kill, that couldn’t have happened. She chose hope instead. “Do you remember that conversation we had in the tent? When I told you that next time you wanted to love someone, you needed to choose better?”
Carver nodded. Cat had kicked the jug of wine he’d been diligently making his way through right out of his hands and told him to get himself together. Along with Bel, she was the only one who’d ever dared shake him up instead of letting him wallow. “I remember.”
“I’m proud of you.” Her gaze flicked to Bel. “You chose exactly as you were meant to.”
Nodding again, Carver clamped his burning eyes shut, but he doubted there was any hiding the tears on his lashes. He swallowed the lump in his throat. When he finally opened his eyes again, his niece was asleep on his lap, and Cat and Griffin were gathering their children and saying good night. Everyone else quickly followed, with Jocasta giving him an affectionate kiss on the cheek as she picked up Angelia to bring her to bed. Then he was alone with Bel in the family room, along with Cerberus in front of the fire.
Carver reached for his wife. She slid into his lap, wrappingan arm around his shoulders. She toyed with the hair at his nape, and the spark of their bond ignited in his chest right under the symbols of three gods. He breathed deeply, feeling calmer and more complete than he ever had in his life.
“You look happy,” she said, her soft smile bringing him even more joy.
“I am.” He looked at her, his wife, his friend, his other half. She brightened, her magic peeking through her hair and eyes. “Happy and at peace.”
Her smile widened. “We made it, didn’t we?”
He kissed her. “We did. Together.” They’d made it through Olympianomachy. They’d made it back to family. And soon, they’d go home to more.
They’d live happily and at peace because together, they could overcome anything and beat any odds. And because when soulmates joined, they had the strength and magic and determination to shatter the thrones of gods.
Atlantis
Bellanca rolled over in bed and slapped Carver on the chin. “Sorry,” she mumbled, pulling her hand back.
He groaned. “That’s one way to wake up. I thought we’d established that you don’t need to hit me anymore.”
“I never hit you. I burned you a lot…”
He turned his head, and his silvery eyes caught the morning light. “I have scars, you know? One of my eyebrows never fully grew back.”
Wiggling closer to him, she tucked herself against his side and spread her hand over his tattooed chest, lightly tracing the marks. “I like your eyebrow that way. It reminds me of how much fun we used to have.”
“Usedto have?” The brow in question rose.
She bit back a smile. “You’re so boring now. No threats. No storming off in a huff. No cheating at competitions so you can actually beat me for once.”
He snorted. “You didn’t seem bored last night. And I think webothwon.”
Sensations fluttered in her belly. She could still feel him inside her, feel his hands on her body, his mouth… Heat swirled through her, thudding low. “Hmm. If you say so. I don’t even remember last night.”
Carver pulled her on top of him, his voice a deep growl. “That’s a blatant lie and definitely an invitation to remind you ofexactlywhat we did.”
Bellanca closed her eyes, letting her body go slack. “I’m sleeping.”
“Sleep is for the weak.” He gripped her naked backside and squeezed.
Her eyes popped open. “I think there’s a sword between us. Something’s poking me.”
His lips twitched. “Glad you noticed.”
“Are you sure it’s where it’s supposed to be?”
“Almost.” Carver flipped her over so fast the room spun. Bellanca laughed, her knees coming up, and then gasped as he slid down her body, heatedly kissing her neck and chest. “Are you remembering last night better now?” he asked.
She shook her head. “Not really.”
“You’re impossible,” he murmured, lingering on her breasts.
