Without warning, the Living Flame surged forward like a wildfire fanned by a gale. We all jumped back instinctively as Barbie and Killian threw up a shield of dark flame and starlight.
“Chill.” Marigold grinned. “We’re just collecting your evil baby bomb, as agreed.”
The infant Ruin was suspended within the Living Flame, held aloft by the Titan princess’s power alone.
“We’ll be back!” Marigold waved, and then she and her mates vanished with the Flame.
Endless fog shrouded the other side once more.
“Now, keep your promise to us, new goddess,” Isis implored in her ancient, broken voice.
“Grant us eternal death,” Nephthys said, his tone brimming with exhaustion. “We owe you a debt we can never repay. We have nothing left to give, but take what remains of us and return it to the land and the air.”
“Rest in peace, Isis and Nephthys,” Barbie said solemnly.
She and I clasped hands. Her dark flame and my white light wove together, creating a stream of power that spiraled around the two broken deities.
“Final peace,” the earth goddess sighed in satisfaction as she began to dissolve, her pain and torment finally ending.
“Eternal rest,” the sky god echoed, and then he, too, turned to mist.
Chapter
Forty
Louis
Everyone had a good thing going, except me.
Killian and Rowan rode off into the sunset with their gorgeous women. Oh, and let’s not forget they were both kings now! Even Silas was a king, swinging his once-frozen cock around like a peacock strutting through a garden.
We still spent time at Shades Academy, since officially we hadn’t graduated. I’d used that excuse more than the others to hide out here instead of returning to court to hear my father list all the ways I was a disappointment. That old fucker had no idea how lucky he was I hadn’t used my wartime popularity to rally the other heirs and overthrow him.
I’d been a fucking war hero.
And now?
“Life sucks,” I grumbled as I played cards with the other heirs, or kings, in the common room, slumping deeper into the armchair.
Barbie, who was her usual “charming” self and didn’t have a single empathetic bone in her body—whether because of her terrible childhood or her goddess nature—rolled her eyes at me.
“You aren’t the only one who isn’t a king yet,” she said, her cheeks bulging with half a cake. “Look at Cade. He’s also single, and he doesn’t fuck around like you do.”
“I don’t fuck around anymore,” I snapped, sitting up straighter. “I’m seeking a meaningful relationship now. As for Cade, he could be king anytime he wants. His parents are actually amazing people who support him. And haven’t you noticed how much he flirts these days? Who knew the mage prince would become the new bad boy?”
I shook my head in disgust.
“I like this new version of him, though,” Sy said from her perch on the arm of Rowan’s chair. “He might have replaced you as the center of attention, but don’t pout, Louis. You occupied the stage for too long. New blood keeps things interesting.”
“Interesting for you!” I shot back. “Life is darker without the Brides Selection.”
“Yeah, you big boys with big cocks just used the Selection to sleep around,” Barbie retorted, not even looking up from her cake.
I used to force her to watch me in threesomes, but I hadn’t known she was a girl back then.
Barbie and Sy were no longer my favorite people. They weren’t fun to be around anymore. Just listening to their judgment made me more depressed. And Barbie going around saying things like, “It’s all about giving back. It’s about the community,” and pressuring everyone to donate made my stomach churn.
Their presence was also a constant reminder that I’d never get another sip from either of them if I valued my continued existence.
