Not even the Malachai powers had meant anything.
So the two of them had gone their own way.
Until Ambrose had saved the life of Madoc’s wife. Course, she hadn’t been his wife then. But Ambrose had stepped in, with Acheron and Styxx, and protected her when Madoc had been unable to do so.
He never forgot that, and they’d been friends ever since. He owed a debt to Ambrose that he couldneverrepay. It was why he’d been so thrilled when his brother broke his curse.
Even more thrilled when he’d held Nick’s children in his arms. They’d been so incredibly precious. And he’d sworn then to do anything he could to protect them. To protect Ambrose and Nyria.
Then hell had come.
And torn all their lives apart.
“I sometimes wonder if breaking the curse was worth it.”
Nick’s heart pounded at those words. Sudden realization struck him like a blow. “That’s why Cyprian was born … We broke the curse, and they came after us for it. All because Grim and Laguerre don’t like losing.”
Madoc slapped him on the back. “Give the boy a beignet. He got it. That’s exactly what happened. They were livid that you’d cut them out as your generals, and then figured out a way to cut them out of their revenge on your predecessors and progeny.”
Nick’s head spun with all this new knowledge. He’d broken the curse …
That alone was enough to rattle his senses. The rest …
Incredible.
But it all made sense. Laguerre would have been furious. Her intent had been for the Malachais to pay for abusing her daughter centuries ago. As a goddess of War, her fury never died. Same for her husband. Even for a death god, Grim was a nasty bugger. He’d never take defeat lying down.
For Nick to break that curse, they would have been all over him. Hellbent on revenge.
He met Madoc’s gaze. “I would ask when and how I break the curse, but you’re not going to tell me, are you?”
“Of course not. If I tell you, you’d probably screw it up.”
Nick let out a long sigh. “So how do we untie this Gordian Knot?”
“You need what you’ve always relied on.”
“My family,” Nick breathed.
Madoc inclined his head to him. “Exactly. Cyprian’s plan is to alienate you. The more pain you feel, the more powers he has.”
Great. He was the Energizer Bunny for a son he’d rather not have.
At least you have some use.
God knew that Caleb and the rest had always called him useless, and most of the time, he agreed.
“How do we defeat him?” Kody asked. “Because he creamed us the last time we tried. All of us.”
Madoc gave her a wry grin. “Because he picked you off, one at a time.”
“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three is not easily broken.” Nick could hear his mother saying those words.
“Ecclesiastes 4:12.” Ambrose sighed. “Mom and her Bible quotes.”
“Yeah. She has one for every occasion.” Her faith was unbreakable and unshakable. Sometimes, he envied her that. His faith in everything was hard-won and often doubted.
Without doubt, there can be no real faith.Acheron’s favorite saying.
