Page 55 of Ignited Spirits
I shudder in revulsion. “Eww. I’m never calling you that. And if you keep that up, all you’re going to get is a knife to the gut.”
I probably shouldn’t threaten a billions of years oldcurawho has a decent chance of killing me in a fight. Then again, when do I ever do what I’m supposed to?
Hades barks out a laugh. “I like you more and more every time we meet.”
“The feeling isn’t mutual,” I grumble, even though I’ve developed a soft spot for the ruler ofInfernus. He’s a dick most of the time, but he has his funny, caring, and understanding moments that make me like him more than I should.
“Who’s this?” Dad asks.
“That’s Hades. Ruler ofInfernus, mate to Seph, and Mom’s non-biological grandfather.” I don’t bother to tack on that he’s Levi’s brother because I don’t want to confuse anyone.
“I love how you have to specify the ‘non-biological’ part, earthling.” Hades grins, and his eyes dance with laughter at me. “Can’t have anyone thinking you have a bit of Greek god in you, can we?”
I roll my eyes and don’t bother to dignify his statement with a response. “So, do you know where my mom is? Or should we just keep wandering around your quarters until we find her?”
He pouts at me, which looks strange on a six and a half foot tall dude who has an entire realm terrified of him. “You’re so demanding for an Earth creature.”
“Well, I am halfcura. So are Rhys and Aiden, I assume.” I gesture vaguely in the direction of my brothers.
Hades’s gaze flicks behind me as he assesses my brothers. “Those are also Seph’s great-grandchildren?”
“Yep. The dark-brown-haired one is Rhys, the responsible brother, and the blond one is Aiden, who’s more like me.”
“Only funnier,” Aiden chimes in.
I twist to look at him and maturely stick my tongue out because I’m definitely the funnier one. Aiden cracks up, and I can’t help but grin in response. Even though everything I have to do feels so heavy, it’s nice to have the moments of laugher and joy that make it just a bit easier to handle.
When I face Hades again, he’s turned around and walking away. I have no idea what we’re supposed to do until he looks at me over his shoulder. “Are you coming, earthling? Your mother is this way.”
CHAPTER 19
IZZY
Ihustle to catch up with Hades, my mates and family hot on my heels. He leads us past a bunch of closed doorways before pushing through a set of double doors. They open into a light and airy living room.
My mom is sitting on one of the cream upholstered couches, her head thrown back as she laughs about something with Seph.
The family resemblance between them is unmistakable. Mom and Seph have the same blonde hair, gray eyes, heart-shaped faces, and pale skin. Sitting there together, they look like they could be sisters, if not twins.
The two of them turn our way when Hades descends the two stairs down into the room, and his shoes click against the polished white marble floor.
Seph jumps up from her spot and runs into Hades’s arms. He picks her up and holds her close, like he hasn’t seen her in years instead of probably minutes.
It’s an incredibly sweet moment for the king who is the furthest thing from it.
When Mom spots us, she also bolts up from the sofa and runs full speed at Dad. She tackles him in a hug that almost makes them both fall to the floor, but Dad saves it at the last moment.Mom’s crying as she clutches his shirt in her fists. She’s also murmuring something to him too quietly for me to hear.
I feel a little choked up, witnessing how much my parents love each other. When I was little, I always hoped I’d have a relationship like theirs—one made of true love, mutual respect, and a commitment to always be there. Now, I not only have one relationship like that but five of them.
I’m a lucky girl, and I will do anything and everything to keep them safe.
Mom eventually breaks away from Dad and walks over to me. She enfolds me in one of her signature mom hugs, and I breathe in her comforting rose garden smell. After a long moment, she pulls back and wipes a few tears from her eyes. “Thank you for rescuing your dad, Izzy. That’s not something you should’ve ever had to do, but I am so very proud of you for doing it.”
I duck my head to avoid her earnest gaze, feeling both uncomfortable and warm and fuzzy from her words. “You don’t have to thank me, Mom. He’s my dad, and he was only in there because of my impulsive magic. Of course I’m going to rescue him.”
My dad walks up beside my mom and wraps his arm around her waist. “None of this is your fault, Izzy.”
I shrug but don’t say anything, because I know arguing with them is pointless. They’re never going to accept that it’s my fault he was there, and I’m never going to believe that I’m blameless in the whole thing.
