Dean goes to protest, but I cut him off. “Dean, none of this means anything if Zale is dead. Heneedsto take over the throne. He’s the key to freeing Eldoris.”
In that moment, I realize just how true my words are.
The King of Hell can put his best candidate on the throne, and the kingdom would continue to fall. Eldoris needs one of their own to pull them out of this darkness.
I know in my gut that convincing merfolk for a regime change is going to be a walk in the park if the warriors who think Tiberius is their lord and savior are dealt with tonight.
If they’re willing to die for him, then my Reaper needs to grant their wish, or they won’t let Zale take over peacefully.
He’s hesitating. I know he doesn’t want to leave me alone with Tiberius, but I’m not alone, am I?
I’m surrounded by people willing to risk their lives for me.
Dean grabs the back of her, pressing his forehead to mine. “Be careful, okay? You’re not allowed to die. I mean it. I’m not going to spend the rest of my life mourning my mate. Do what you need to do, but come back to me. Promise me you’ll come back to me.”
“I will. I promise.”
His hands shake as he holds my face, pressing a kiss to my lips, saying more than words can express.
“I love you, hellfire.”
“I know.”
He huffs a laugh, but I pull him in, kissing him harder. “I love you, Reaper.”
Dean pulls back painfully slow, his eyes shining with fear of what comes next, before he turns and runs to Zale.
I whisper a prayer to Lucifer, asking him to keep my mate safe.
I’ll need him to keep my days bright once I leave this place behind.
Because I’m not done loving him yet.
38. You will never be a god
Hazel
When I snap back into the mess I left behind, Nevaeh and Tiberius are at each other’s throats.
Tiberius splits his form, and then there are two of him charging at Nevaeh. I strike one from behind, my blade sinking in his neck, but the body collapses into water, soaking the ground.
Fuck his illusions and cheap tricks.
Nevaeh and I fall into rhythm.
Her gold veins laced with spikes lash out, climbing over him, pinning him in place until he hacks himself free and charges at us again.
I stay on him, not giving him a second to breathe, forcing him to keep splitting his Divine to tackle us both.
When he struggles against Nevaeh’s hold, I wait for the smallest opening to strike again. It turns into a game, seeing how many times I can stab him before his Divine counters my attack.
I’m going to make him feel every ounce of pain he has inflicted in his pathetic life.
He should’ve died years ago. I should’ve come back, ripped his fucking throat out, no matter what it cost me. I should’ve accepted Anxo’s offer to help me fight Tiberius.
All these regrets are going to keep up at night, but tonight? He falls.
His worshippers will watch him kneel before me, powerless and helpless as he begs for his life.
