Page 53 of Winter Goddess
His aura pulses with pride and love as he steps forward and takes me into his arms. Once again, the armour is in the way, but his lips find mine nonetheless. I kiss him passionately, trying to keep the terrible thought at bay that's seeping into my mind. What if this is the last time I ever kiss him? What if I'll never see any of them?
I breathe in his scent, committing it to memory. My Frost.
Even after we break the kiss, I stay in his arms.
"Tonight, we'll take this further," he promises and I can hear the smile in his voice.
"My turn," Arc interrupts and pulls me away from Frost and into a rough hug. He's wearing a kilt above his metal armour as if he cannot let go of the Scottishness he was created with.
He lowers his head and kisses me hard, his lips much more demanding than Frost's. I lean into the kiss, tasting my Guardian, hoping desperately that this isn't an end, just one of many more kisses, millions of kisses in our immortal life together.
This time it’s Storm who pulls me into his arms. He doesn't kiss me, he just looks at me, except that I can't see his face. It's strange, knowing he's able to look into my eyes but I am not. It's like I'm blind and yet not quite.
I don't know what he sees in my eyes, but after a minute or so, his aura changes colour, turning a fiery, passionate red.
"Be safe," he mutters and gives me the gentlest kiss ever, just a quick touch of his lips on mine, then he's gone and Crispin takes his place. Sweet, broken Crispin. I'm doing this for him, for my mum, my mother, the dragons and for everyone who's suffered at the hands of the Morrigan.
"She's going to be sorry she ever hurt you," I whisper and kiss him, showing him how much I mean it. He responds in kind, his tongue nudging mine, our bond sizzling into life, warming my heart. I can feel the connection to my guys, stronger than ever. They're here for me and I will protect them at all costs. They're mine and the Morrigan isn't getting them. She's not getting anyone. She'll be dead.
I stretch out my arms while Crispin is still holding me, and the other three men take them.
"Ready?" I ask quietly and feel their assent filtering through our bond. "Then let's kill a Goddess."
While most ofour allies are starting the battle on the borders of the Demon Realm, working their way inwards, herding the demons like cattle, the guys and I teleport right into the centre. The Realm is made up of thirteen Zones, all named after jewels. Twelve of them surround the Onyx Zone like spikes on a wheel. If I know the Morrigan at all, this is where she will be, like the spider in the centre of the web.
I wasn't quite sure where best to teleport us to, so I've chosen a spot just outside the castle walls, a place I've seen in my mother's memories. In reality, the castle is much scarier though. Its ragged towers are formed like spears, reaching high into the blood red sky as if they want to pierce and destroy it. The walls are made from polished black stone; onyx, I assume. There are no windows at all, not even arrow slits. It's a strange, threatening structure that sends a clear message: get out. Well, we won't, we have a job to do.
"I'll check for demons," I tell my Guardians and extend my magic, pushing it into the air around us until it scatters and moves into all directions.
"At least ten by the main gate and hundreds within the castle. Four, no, five Gods inside. Not the Morrigan, though."
Disappointment makes my heart beat faster. She was supposed to be here. Luckily, our plan has prepared for that eventuality.
"I think it's time to give the signal."
I look at my Guardians, at their auras. All of them are exuding confidence. Seems like we've reached the point of no return.
"Keep watch while I do this."
Crispin chuckles. "I love it when she goes all dominant."
"Hey!" I playfully shove him and he laughs even more when our armour vibrates at the impact.
"Quiet," Storm warns. "We're in enemy territory now, don't be too cocky."
Annoyingly, that makes me think of the guys' body parts that I've been craving, but no, this isn't the time for my hormones to get all excited. First, we kill some demons, then we can relax and have some much-needed fun.
I close my eyes and focus on the thin, weak connections I still have with all the Gods that will be fighting on our side. If we're lucky, they're all in position already, or will be there shortly.
I pull on the connections like I usually do with my Guardians' bond, hoping desperately that this will work. There was no time to practice.
Small echoes flow back along the connections, hopefully the sign that they've received the signal and will start the assault.
I follow one of them and reach Thor. The God of Thunder immediately responds to my probing.
"There are no demons where we entered, but we're flying inland now," he reports and sends me an image of thousands of winged Guardians flying over a barren, charred landscape. The red light of the sky is reflected by their glowing wings, giving them an ethereal appearance. It's a beautiful sight. An army of angels, taking revenge on the leader of demons.
"Good. The Morrigan isn't in the Onyx castle, so if you spot her, send me a message."
