Goddess Of The Underworld (Sheridan Hartin) novel Chapter 140

Chapter 140

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The thunder of feet came first, then voices. Elliot and Macey barreled back into the room, arms full of bags that looked more like treasure chests than travel kits. Macey’s was dragging half her blanket across the floor; Elliot’s bulged oddly, clearly stuffed with crayons, socks, and the shoebox he called his “essentials.”

“We’re ready!” Macey announced proudly, Fergus’s ear sticking out the top of her pack. like a flag.

“Snacks too,” Elliot added seriously. “In case we get hungry on the way.”

I bit down on a smile. “Good thinking.”

They climbed up beside Reina, who smoothed their hair as if she’d been doing it forever,

and my chest tightened.

I cleared my throat, looking at her. “Where’s home, Reina? So I can open a portal.”

Her eyes softened. “The high cliffs by the southern sea. We’ve lived there since…” She faltered, but recovered. “It’s safe. Secluded. The air carries far; no one comes without us

knowing.”

I nodded, focusing on the steady hum under my skin. The air shimmered, light bending until it peeled into an archway. Salt wind rushed through, and I saw it, the cliffs carved by centuries, waves breaking in a steady heartbeat against stone. A house of pale wood and dark beams sat back from the edge, smoke curling gentle from the chimney.

Reina’s breath caught. She took Elliot’s hand, Macey’s too, and stepped through.

The moment we crossed, the door burst open. A man strode out, tall, broad–shouldered, worry carved deep into his face. His eyes locked on Reina, wild with relief.

“Reina,” he breathed, grabbing her arms. “You’re safe. I thought…” His gaze cut to me, then the others, before swinging back to her. “You shouldn’t have gone alone.”

“I had to,” she said softly. “I had to try.”

Then Elliot shifted at her side, clutching her hand. The man froze, the world falling silent except for the waves.

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Chapter 140

“George,” Reina whispered, voice breaking. “Look.”

Elliot lifted his chin, nervous but brave. His small hand waved once, uncertain.

The man’s knees nearly buckled. He stared, disbelieving, before taking one step, then another. “My boy?”

And when Elliot didn’t flinch, when he took half a step forward too, George swept him into his arms, cradling him like a miracle he thought he’d never see again. His voice cracked wide open.

“My boy.”

Elliot clung, whispering something muffled against his shoulder. George pressed his face.

into his son’s hair, shoulders shaking.

Behind them, Reina’s hand found mine, squeezing once, hard. Gratitude. Vows unspoken.

George smothered Elliot against his chest for another long heartbeat, his hands running

over the boy’s hair, his shoulders, as if trying to memorize every inch. When he finally

eased back, his eyes were wet, but his smile–gods, it could have lit the cliffs.

Then his gaze shifted, catching the smaller figure hovering nearby. Macey, clutching

Fergus under one arm, looking equal parts curious and protective as she leaned a little.

into my side.

“And who,” George said gently, voice still rough with emotion, “is this sweet little girl?”

Macey’s chin tipped up, her eyes bold. “I’m Macey,” she declared. “I’m Elliot’s best friend.

Macey nodded hard. “He makes me castles. I make him snacks. We’re a team.”

14:04 Wed, Sep 3 G

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