Page 109 of A Bond in Flames

She didn’t get it. She was also in no position to make any deals, and she knew it as well. She knew she was losing.

“I already have Marigold.”

I spun around at the sound of Zinnia’s voice. She strode toward us, dressed in all leather, my cloak flowing around her, her wild red hair spilling out from under a pointed leather hat. She was beautiful and fearless, and she shouldn’t fucking be here. “Stay back,” I growled.

She shook her head. “This needs to end, now.” Her gaze sliced to my mother. “Sorry the whole ‘I took your consort’s womb’ thing wasn’t the gotcha moment you were hoping for. You thought it was the ace up your sleeve, that you’d tell him, and he’d leave me?” She shook her head. “You really don’t understand how love works, huh?”

“You will not win,” Nox shrieked, getting to her feet.

Zinnia’s lips moved, but she wasn’t talking; she was spelling under her breath, chanting as she strode closer. Ignoring Nox, her green eyes came to me. “It’s time to go now, Mors,” she said gently. “You need to stop fighting. Marigold’s waiting for us.”

I looked between her and Nox. “Not yet. Not until she’s bleeding and broken.” I tried to pull her behind me, but power sparked off her, throwing my hand away.

Nox straightened, triumph on her face. “I created him, and now you can watch as I destroy him.”

I stepped in front of Zinnia and lifted my staff—

She touched my arm and shook her head as she moved back around me. “No, my child,” she said in a voice that wasn’t her own, not anymore. Her eyes, now black, glowed with otherworldly power—with godly power. “Your mother and I have a few things to discuss.”

Nox flinched, stumbling back in shock. “Terra?”

Terra?Mother Nature, the Great Goddess, the creatress of all life, or the mother, as the witches who worshipped her called her. I felt her now, dark and light magic, her incredible power flowing through Zinnia’s body.

“You created him, did you?” Terra said.

Nox flinched.

“Who is the creatress of all life, Nox?” She shook her head. “You played but a small part in the creation of your sons, and you know it. Without me helping you, they would not exist, and neither would Aster and her sisters. You begged me for help, and what did you do after I gave you what you wanted? You abused them. You used and bartered with my creations to increase your own power, and then you hid here from me in the Night Realm.” She laughed. “You cannot hide anymore. Zinnia Thornheart has made it possible for me to reach you anytime I like. Make no mistake, you may not harm my creations, and now Zinnia has been possessed by a goddess, you cannot harm her either.”

Nox shrieked. “You do not come to my realm and tell me what I can and cannot do—”

Zinnia’s hands flew up, the power of a goddess flowing from her, and she slammed Nox back down before she lifted her off the ground and held her against the column behind her. “I can and I have. I am older than you, stronger than you, and you will do as I say, or I will tear you apart piece by piece.” Terra strode up to her. “Do we understand each other?”

She shook, fighting it, but Terra was right—her power was far stronger. “Fine,” Nox bit out. “Now release me and leave my realm. Leave!” she shrieked.

Zinnia’s head tilted back, her body jolting, and I felt the goddess leave her. Zinnia stepped back as Nox hit the ground. I grabbed my consort around the waist and pulled her back. Zinnia shook in my arms but not from fear, from fury.

“You fuck with me or my consort, you come near Marigold or Somnus or Pascal…” Her hands curled into fists. “If you try and hurt any of my family again, I will call Terra back. I will let her have me, and she will tear you apart, because she wants to. I felt it, her hatred of you. All she needs is a reason, and if I give her one, she will destroy you. She’s already proven she can create gods. She can replace you.”

Nox stared at her, full of fury that she couldn’t unleash.

Zinnia dismissed her, then turned to me, taking my hand. “Our daughter is waiting for us.”

I didn’t dare fight her on it; I didn’t want to. No, I let my exquisite, strong, beautiful, fierce consort lead me from Nox’s temple.

* * *

“Thank you for what you did for Zinnia and for protecting my daughter,” I said to Pascal. “Anything you need or want, please ask. I owe you a debt, and I won’t ever forget it.”

The male turned from the ocean to me. “You owe me nothing. It was my honor, my lord. I’ve spent a lot of time with Marigold in the Dream Realm.” He smiled. “I’m extremely fond of her and your brother.”

“He’ll be awake when we return,” I said.

Pascal’s chest expanded on a sharp indrawn breath. “I know.”

“Will this be the first time you’ve seen each other out of the dreaming?”

“Yes.”

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