Goddess Of The Underworld (Sheridan Hartin) novel Chapter 139

Chapter 139

Envy

Layah eased forward, shadows rippling until she was standing outside me, her form stretching, shaking her fur like she was shaking off my nerves. She nosed at Elliot and

Macey, then glanced back at me. I understood without words.

“Hey,” I said gently, brushing Elliot’s curls back. “How about you two take Layah out to the garden? Those Death Lilies are blooming. Pick some for your mumma, she’d love

them.”

Elliot’s face lit like a lantern. “Really?” He spun to Reina, who nodded, her smile watery but real. Macey squealed, already tugging Elliot’s hand. Fergus got scooped under her arm and off they went, Layah padding behind them like a knight on duty. Their laughter was already chasing down the hall before the door shut.

I sagged back into the chair. My palm pressed low, protective, the way it always does now. “We can’t keep pretending they’re safe here,” I said, voice tight. “Every attack gets closer. The witches aren’t throwing shadows at us anymore, they’re pushing hard. When they come again, and they will, the children will be the easiest leverage.”

Four sets of eyes met mine. My mates didn’t argue, didn’t dismiss it. They knew. They felt it too. The air itself was stretched thin with what was coming.

I turned to Reina. “If your people are willing to stand with us, then maybe… maybe Elliot and Macey should go with you for now. Just until this breaks. Elliot would be over the moon to meet the rest of his family, and Macey…” my throat caught, “she’d follow him anywhere, she’s an orphan, but she’s ours, just as he is. I’m not ready to let them go, but it might be the only way to keep them from being pawns in this.”

Reina’s eyes went glassy. She leaned forward, her hand covering mine where it clutched the bump. “Envy,” she said softly, steady, “if this is what must be done, then I’ll guard them with everything I am. But know this, I’m not going to take him away from you. From any of you.” Her voice thickened. “I can’t undo the years I lost. You gave him love, safety, a home. You raised him when I couldn’t. That means when this is done, when it’s safe, we share him. He is ours, together. My son, your son. And I’ll never stop being grateful for

that.”

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Wed, Se

Chapter 139

I blinked hard. “You mean that?”

“I swear it,” she said, and for the first time, I believed every syllable.

91%

Xavier’s hand closed over my shoulder, grounding. Haiden leaned against the table like he was guarding us both. Levi’s nod was small but certain. Noah just reached for my hand, folding it between his.

The door banged wide before anyone could breathe out the tension. Elliot and Macey

came in like a storm, arms overflowing with lilies, petals brushing their cheeks, stems

dripping dirt on the floor. Layah padded after them, looking smug about her haul.

“Look, look!” Macey said, nearly tripping over Fergus. “We picked all the pretty ones.”

Elliot grinned wide, cheeks flushed. “For Mumma,” he said, rushing the flowers into Reina’s arms like it was the greatest treasure he’d ever found. Her hands shook a little as she took them, pressing her face into the blooms.

I smiled, though my chest was tight. “Hey, you two. Can we sit for a minute? Big people

talk.”

Elliot frowned but obeyed, climbing onto the couch with a bounce. Macey followed, hugging Fergus like a shield. I sat across from them, my mates flanking me, Reina clutching the flowers like lifelines.

“It’s not as safe here right now as we’d like,” I began carefully. “So, we think it might be best for you both to stay with Mumma for a little while. Elliot, you’d get to know her people, your people, and your family. Macey, you’d go too, so you’d stay together.”

Elliot’s whole face lit. “Really?!” He twisted to Reina, eyes wide. “Mumma, do I have a little brother? I remember… I think I remember someone small, crying, and I held him.”

Reina’s breath caught, but she nodded, voice soft. “Yes, sweetheart. You do. His name is Elias, but he’s just as big as you now.”

Elliot’s grin nearly split his face. “I knew it.”

Macey tugged on my sleeve, eyes big. “I really get to go too? I get to stay with Elliot?”

I kissed her forehead. “Of course you do. You’re best friends. Where he goes, you go.”

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“Do you two want to go pack some bags?” I asked, smoothing Macey’s hair where it had gone wild from the lilies. “Just the things you can’t sleep without. Fergus, treasure boxes, ribbons, whatever you need.”

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