Goddess Of The Underworld (Sheridan Hartin) novel Chapter 173

Chapter 173

:

I stopped a little way from the open doors when Macey held up her hand, her eyes gleaming with mischief. Elliot mouthed, “Call them out.”

I raised a brow, but shrugged my shoulders. It’s a harmless joke, so I’ll play along.

“Brothers,” I called into the chamber, letting my voice carry. “I’m here. Where are you?”

52

The conversations inside halted instantly. Chairs scraped back against marble, and I heard the heavy

footfalls of my brothers crossing the floor toward the doorway.

I braced for them to appear.

“BOO!” the kids shrieked as they launched themselves into the open, their little voices echoing off the stone walls. But Elliot didn’t stop there. A deafening crack of thunder split the air, rolling

through the vaulted ceiling like cannon fire. Lightning blazed bright enough to turn the whole room

white for a heartbeat. Then came the fire…hellfire, coiling up from the marble in a jagged ring

around the rooms, flames licking high like teeth. The chandeliers above clattered against their

chains, and the very floor seemed to shiver. The great Alpha Kings screamed. Malachi shouted so

loud it shook dust loose from the beams, stumbling back so fast he landed half sprawled across the

floor. Julius let out a curse and darted sideways, pressing himself flat to the door like a soldier under

fire. Arztec yelped, his cup clattering across the floor as he kicked frantically at the flames curling

around his boots.

The kids were howling with laughter, Macey practically rolling against Elias, while Elliot stood proud in the centre of the chaos, smug as sin, a wicked little grin plastered on his face. I clapped a hand

over my mouth, shoulders shaking with the effort to hold in my laugh. Three of the most feared men

in existence had just been reduced to frightened pups by three children. The fire sputtered and went

out. The thunder faded. The chamber settled back into silence. And Elliot, as cool as anything, smirked and said, “Gotcha.”

Malachi’s face was still crimson. Julius peeked out warily from his corner, glowering. Arztec pointed

an accusing finger at my boy, chest still heaving.

“That child,” he said hoarsely, “is a menace.”

The children collapsed into another fit of giggles, while my brothers tried and failed to recover their dignity.

The laughter was still echoing when the great doors at the end of the hall creaked open. The sound

1/4

8:19 Wed, Sep 17

Chapter 173

:

🙂)

52

alone was enough to silence even the kids‘ giggles. Every head turned as our mother swept into view, regal as ever, her silver–streaked hair pinned back, her crown glinting in the torchlight. She moved with the kind of grace that made even Malachi and Julius straighten their spines like guilty schoolboys. Her eyes swept the chamber, sharp and knowing, before softening as they landed on me, and then on the three small shapes at my side.

“Is that my grandbaby I hear?” she asked, her voice warm velvet, carrying easily across the marble.

“Grandbabies,” Elliot corrected quickly, puffing up with pride. He tugged Elias and Macey forward. “This is my brother Elias, and you already know Macey.”

Mum’s regal composure cracked into the softest smile. “Of course,” she said, as if she’d been waiting her whole life to meet them. She bent low, pressing kisses to each child’s hair in turn, cupping their cheeks with hands that had held kingdoms and battles yet somehow were still the gentlest touch.

“Welcome, my little ones.”

Elias‘ eyes went wide, utterly starstruck, while Macey stood tall, soaking in the affection like

sunlight. Elliot looked smug enough to burst.

Meanwhile, Arztec was still bristling, his hair a little singed from the earlier flames. He threw his arms out, incredulous. “Did you not see what they just did to us?! Thunder! Fire! I swear my life

flashed before my eyes!”

Mum barely spared him a glance, still fussing over Elias‘ curls. “Oh, hush,” she said serenely. “They’re children. And besides….” her eyes flicked, twinkling, to Elliot “they’re mine.”

Malachi groaned, Julius pinched the bridge of his nose, and Arztec muttered something that sounded suspiciously like, “I knew I should’ve stayed in bed.”

But the children beamed, basking in their grandmother’s pride, and I couldn’t help but laugh softly.

For all the chaos, for all the fear, this, right here, was what family felt like.

Mum straightened, brushing her palms down the front of her gown as if the touch of her grandchildren had left her glowing. She reached for their hands. “Come, darlings. Let’s go into the

lounge; it’s far more comfortable there.” Her eyes flicked to Malachi, one brow arched in a way that made even an Alpha King obey without hesitation. “And you, fetch some snacks for them. Something

sweet.”

Malachi grumbled under his breath but turned on his heel anyway, muttering something about being reduced to kitchen duty. The kids exchanged grins, already victorious. Mum’s hand found mine then, warm and steady, and before I could prepare for it, she pulled me close. The embrace was firm,

2/4

8:19 Wed, Sep 17

Chapter 173

🙂)

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify