Page 76 of House of Demons and Bones

I’d fled before hearing the rest of her prophecy, too terrified to face the truth it held. The inevitable weighed on me, but I’d bear this terrible fate and find a way to separate from Sy, no matter the cost.

Sy stiffened, her emotions churning—hope, fear, and sorrow all tangled together. She yearned for her own life, dreaming of waking in her mate’s arms. Our separation was her only path forward, though part of her ached to stay with me.

We’d shared a soul-bond since the beginning, but that connection had to end soon, and I kept my final destiny hidden from her.

“I once thought I created Sy to help me survive the terrors I was subjected to under the thumb of the God of Ruin,” I said,sucking in a shaky breath as emotions rioted within me. “I even thought she was my other persona, not knowing that—” I paused to gather my thoughts and get my emotions under control. I’d been carrying all these lethal secrets, but now I was letting it all out and trusting my friends. “I’ve been carrying the last drop of the oldest magic since I was born. Sy is that last drop of old magic becoming flesh. The Maiden confirmed it.”

Pure shock painted everyone’s faces—even Killian’s. The entire realm’s hope clung to the prophecy of the One bringing back old magic. The Brides Selection existed based solely on that promise. And now the last drop of living magic made flesh was right in front of them.

The heirs gaped as the magnitude of this revelation sank in, clearly struggling to process that their salvation wore a pink cardigan and liked bubble tea.

They stared at me, but none of them questioned my truth. They’d witnessed Sy nearly single-handedly extract the Fury curse from Cade, and they could feel her magic, drawn to her more than they were to me.

Sy remained deathly quiet within me. All these years, she’d thought she was my protector, yet I’d been shielding her, hiding her within me to preserve her.

“No one else could carry such magic except me since I’m at least three-quarters goddess,” I continued, my voice soft and low. “But don’t ask about my mother—I don’t know who the fuck she is. I can assure you, no good woman would mate with Ruin, but she was powerful enough to mate with an ancient god. Now that you know what Sy is, I need you to protect her at all costs. She’s more important than me. I’m disposable, but she’s not.”

Killian growled. “You’re not disposable. Never!”

Tyson growled too, fire escaping Killian’s lips.

Sy hissed at me.Don’t you dare say that. You and I are together forever.

I placed my shaking hand on Killian’s as I fought back tears, knowing that one day I’d have to break his heart and the dragon’s too. He cupped my hand in his palm and kissed my lips. “My dragon and I will protect you with our last breaths. All my brothers will protect you and Sy.” He stared down at the heirs, waiting for their promises as well.

“Everything will be okay,” I said softly. “I have my duties too—to protect the realm at all costs.” I scanned the heirs. “She’s the one thing all of you have been searching for. I’ve carried her and brought her here. After our separation, it’ll be your duty to take over the torch and guard her and her secret.”

“I’ll give up my life for you and Sy,” Cade said. “I already owe you a life debt.”

“I won’t let anything happen to you and my Sy,” Rowan vowed.

“You can count on all of us,” Louis said, nodding at me. “As for who is Sy’s real mate, that has to be decided. May the best man win.”

Whoever mated Sy might become the High King.

“May the best man win,” Silas echoed the vampire prince, ignoring Rowan’s growl.

Silas and Louis had stopped courting me, but they wouldn’t give up on Sy. She sat straighter within me, curling her clawed toes while beaming and scheming.

“Let’s put aside this stupid competition,” Killian said, “and focus on winning a war against a god. If we lose, nothing else matters. Our priority is to protect Barbie, Sy, and the realm.”

“That will be our new pact as gentlemen,” Louis said.

“Hello? Three ladies present!” I protested.

Hello!Sy shouted too.

“Let’s make it a Covenant,” Cade said, waving his wand. “We protect Barbie and Sy at all costs. We’ll rally all five kingdoms to wage war against the God of Ruin.”

“Hell yes, let’s take on the fucking god,” Silas said, grinning. “With the five of us plus Barbie and Sy? We can take down anything that fucking moves.”

“Bea is a high mage,” I added. “She’ll contribute greatly too, especially with spells and runes. We need weapons that can kill the Shriekers. Otherwise, we’ll be done for when Ruin comes in the flesh and brings his biggest army. Today, we learned that besides my evil blade, weapons forged in Hell’s inferno can also kill my father’s creatures.”

You’ve stepped into your role, Barbie,Sy said.

I stretched out my hand, and Deathsong fell into it. Runes glowed on its ebony blade, and it giggled eerily in the heirs’ heads,Hello, princelings. I’m the famous evil blade.

The heirs blinked.

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