Page 268 of Dark Haven Omegaverse

Layne and Crew loved interacting with the souls and found their own peace welcoming the souls into Helheim. They were working through things and Crew was finally accepting Stravos as a teammate instead of an enemy. Loki still popped in from time to time to offer her wine and cause casual chaos. I was starting to get used to it by now.

Monty kept his soldiers in line, as did Achar and Kol. If the need ever arose, our numbers were growing stronger by the day and ready to defend their land and their new ruler.

Now that Helheim and I were connected, judging souls and adding to the demon and gargoyle ranks, was second nature. The realm honestly did most of the work and I helped when I needed to.

It was strange to think the same girl who was fighting her own demons and fighting for her life, now decided the fate of every soul that passed on to this realm.

Now that my pack had witnessed me save Helheim, and the energy of the realm was no longer being zapped away, they could all feel the connection, too.

They were stronger than ever before, as was I.

Roman and Hiro were living their best lives. Roman trained with Kol’s men during the day, and enjoyed evenings with our pack. Hiro had started a library in Helheim, working with Valgri who was eager to help in his pursuit of knowledge. They’d even started recording the history of Helheim.

I had one last cleanup to do from Hel’s reign before I could feel like Helheim was my home.

First, we needed to check in on Dark Haven and see how the humans were recovering. I didn’t want to lose my humanity in our quest to right Hel’s wrongs.

When I tuned back into the conversation Sarah was gushing about the community gardens they’d set up. My chest warmed and when I tuned into the bond, Drake and Hiro’s were just as full of happiness.

We spent a few hours taking a tour of the new changes and Sarah introduced us as the owners to Dark Haven anytime someone approached. Seeing them so full of life was exactly what I needed to relax.

Dark Haven was in good hands. Knowing that, I no longer felt the need to hop between worlds.

“You should come back for dinner soon,” Sarah said around a yawn. She was exhausted from entertaining us for hours and walking every inch of Dark Haven.

“We should get back, let you rest,” Drake said, giving his mom another hug. “We’ll come back. Just remember that the realm passes time differently. It will be a while.”

“Call through the portal if you need us, I know we’ll be able to hear,” I said. Helheim brushed against me, giving me the reassurance. Really, the few gargoyles who remained here, unseen by the humans, would be the ones to spread word.

They didn’t need to know that though, I’d tell them on our way out.

“Thank you for giving me this, My Queen,” Elkan said as he hugged me goodbye.

“And thank you for helping me find my footing as Queen,” I whispered back, giving him one last squeeze.

Sarah jumped in next, giving me a quick hug then brushing a kiss on my cheek.

“Take care of my boy.”

“Always,” I promised.

They waved as we stepped away, walking back toward the gazebo. I latched onto Helheim’s powers and called us home.

I blinked open my eyes back in the throne room. Monty, Kol, and Roman were waiting for us.

“Now, it’s time to make this castle our own,” I announced. Kol swept me in his arms, his wings closing us off for a moment as he threw the bond open. His grief at his brothers’ fate, his gratefulness at me fixing it, and the love we shared easily now. It was funny, my gargoyle and demon had started with no shreds of humanity in them. Now they had a piece of it thanks to the bond.

We were all changed.

When Kol pulled away I glanced around one final time.

“Skoll is with Layne?”

“Yes,” Roman reassured me.

I nodded before turning my focus to the room. “Zetta!”

She appeared in front of me.

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