Page 89 of Queen of Whispers and Mist

This could not be how their story ended.

Not knowing if it would work, Ronan did the only thing he could. He reached down into the heart of his power and called on the one person left who might be able to hear him.

Effie!

CHAPTER28

EREBOS

He was assaulted by a hurricane of enraged woman the second he set foot in his errant wife’s moonlit garden. Prying her away by sealing his hands around her wrists, he crooned, “Luna, darling, I do so love these chats of ours. But this is hardly the time for a tearful reunion. I’m quite busy, as I’m sure you know.”

Angry tears rolled down her beautiful cheeks, her eyes glittering like stars in the night sky. “What did you do?”

“What needed to be done, same as I always have.”

Luna shook her head, her hair rippling out around her like mist above water. “No... this is a stretch, even for you. You’ve always been cruel, but this time you’ve gone too far. You’re no better than your monsters. Does nothing good or decent remain in you? Have you truly forgotten how to love?”

“Me? That’s rich, seeing as how you were the unfaithful bitch who swore vows of eternal love all while you schemed and plotted against me. How is what I’ve done any worse than your own sins, darling? At the very least, you must admit I’ve never pretended to be anything other than what I am.”

“Oh? And what’s that?” she sneered, straining to pull away from him.

He gripped her tighter, holding her hostage. “Your perfect match. The darkness to your light. Chaos to your order. The pain to your pleasure.”

She shivered in his hold, her eyes dropping to his lips for one unguarded second before she tore out of his grasp. “The only thing you’ve accomplished is ridding me of all but the last of options.”

“It amuses me to no end that you think you hold any cards, dearest. I have already won. It’s over.”

Even streaked with tears, her face was terrifying in its beauty. He would have taken a step back if he didn’t simultaneously yearn to pull her closer. They always had fought as hard as they loved.

“When will you learn not to underestimate me?”

“Maybe when you learn that you will never best me. I am your counterpart, sweetheart, created out of chaos to be your balance in all things. You will never be rid of me.”

“We’ll see about that.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“Your actions today have left me no choice. I’ve prepared for this eventuality, but I’d foolishly hoped your love for me would keep you from setting us down this path. Now there is no stopping what’s coming.”

She turned and walked away from him.

“And what’s that?” he couldn’t help but shout, as turned on by her display of defiant temper as he was worried.

His goddess didn’t bother turning around as she answered.

“A mother’s vengeance.”

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