Page 56 of Devils and the Dead
With somewhat sweaty hands I carried the little enameled and bejeweled bird up the dais and bent my head as I held it out for the queen.
She took it and turned the item over in her hand as I stepped back down.
“This is beautiful. The artistry is excellent. But as lovely as this is, it is not impressive enough of a gift to secure the release of the thief.”
My heart plummeted, and my thoughts raced, trying to think of some other thing I could offer to maybe sweeten the deal.
The queen ran a finger over the jewel-encrusted head of the bird, then tossed it to me. My hands shot up to catch it before it hit the ground and suffered any damage, but before it reached me, the enchanted bird spread its wings and flew. After circling around the chamber, it came to rest on the top of the queen’s throne, opened its enameled beak, and sang.
I didn’t recognize the song or know any of the words, but as the music poured from the bird’s throat, the elves all began to cry. It took me a few seconds before I realized that they were crying tears of joy. Bronwyn had not just enchanted the bird to sing, she’d magicked it to know exactly the song its owner wanted to hear, and to deliver it with perfection.
When the bird finished, even the queen was wiping away a tear. She gazed up and held out her hand. The bird flew from the throne to land on her arm, tilting its head and chirping merrily up at her.
She smiled, and I realized it was the first time I’d ever seen that expression on her face.
“I’ve changed my mind. I must keep this gift, so that means I also must set the thief free.” She looked down at me, her gaze going to the fingers of my left hand. “And as I see you’ve made some precautions against attempts to keep you here, I will agree to let you return without any hinderance from me or my people. Go. And know that I consider this business between us to be finished.”
I backed away, bowing and muttering my thanks. Then I turned and walked as quickly as I dared to the portal, stepping through to the other side. Running past my sisters and the others who were expressing relief and asking questions, I went straight to the log, grabbed my athame and plunged it into the rotted wood. No blood pooled around it. No spirit screamed in agony.
“Tinsel?” I reached out for him and found…nothing.
“The curse is gone,” Sylvie said.
“It’s just a log,” Hades added. “There’s nothing magic about it at all. Not even a trace of residual magic.”
He was gone. The curse was gone, and Tinsel had been set free. I cast around with my awareness, searching for any sign that he was okay, and a little irritated that he hadn’t even stuck around to thank me for freeing him. Maybe he’d been worried that I’d be upset at what he’d done. Maybe he’d been so relieved to be free after all these decades that he’d just taken off. Either way he was gone, and my job here was done. We’d freed him and the others, and broken the curse. Now the werewolves could continue to live here. Accident wouldn’t be attacked by the elves. The Everbloom was back where it belonged.
And Maude—or Ann—was beginning a new life.
I couldn’t have done it alone. I couldn’t have done any of it alone. I’d needed my sisters’ help, the fairies, the werewolves, and even the badger shifter. And most of all I’d needed Hades.
Turning, I launched myself into his arms. “I didn’t need to use your get-out-of-jail-free card after all.”
“I’m a little sad I didn’t get to show you The Underworld,” he told me as he held me tight.
“I still want to see it. I want a tour.”
I pulled away and he took my hand in his, rubbing the gold band on my finger. “You can give this back if you want.”
I laughed. “I think I’ll keep it just a little while longer. I like knowing I can summon you to my side any time I need and that you can do the same.”
“Anytime I need?” He grinned.
“Absolutely.” I gave him a quick kiss.
As we parted I noticed Cassie scowling as she watched us. “Keep what just a little while longer? And what’s this about summoning each other to your sides?”
“Something to do with fruit.” I laughed, so happy, and so much in love. “I’ll tell you later. Maybe in a few weeks, maybe in a few months. When we’re ready.”
“When we’re ready,” Hades repeated, then he kissed me again, and all the rest of the world just faded away.
Chapter 24
Hades
“That is unacceptable!” Remiel slammed his fist down on the table, causing all of our coffee cups to jump and the wait staff at the Bob Evans to eye him in alarm.
I shrugged. “I know, but what can we do? Necromancers gonna necromance.”
