Ruined Castles (The Elite King's Club 8)

I smirk around the knowledge of knowing something that Bishop doesn’t—for once. I’ll have to get rid of all the weapons in the house when both he and Priest find out, though we all know Priest doesn’t need a weapon. Scrappy child.

The boys have drifted closer to us, Nate carrying the platter in his hands as he makes his way to me. Leaning down, he kisses me on top of my head. “Motherfucker.”

I flip him off and he laughs, placing the board down in front of me. Nate hasn’t aged at all, it’s like. Well, no, that’s a lie. He has, but it’s not in an obvious way. It’s like his pretty features are just too dominant. His brown hair is shaved on the sides, showcasing all of his scalp tattoos, but he leaves the top a little longer—same, same. I think the only wrinkles he has are the smile lines from his deep dimples.

Shit. Maybe I do need to do this vegan business. Well, we can start with meat-free Mondays.

Bishop comes beside me, with Brantley beside him.

Brantley nods at me, pulling his hoodie over his head. “Heard that this one tried to give us an early show.”

Now, Brantley, on the other hand, I feel like has grown tougher. Colder. Darker. Much like Bishop, in a way. They’ve both allowed this world to harden them, that much is obvious. Whether Nate has or hasn’t, we never really know, since he’s so good at hiding behind a façade.

“It was not that bad.” I roll my eyes, watching Tate lean up to kiss Spyder as Abel brings Kinley over with their fingers intertwined.

Kinley smiles at me, nodding. “Congratulations on the twins, you two.” She looks between Tillie and me. “You all survived eighteen years.”

I nudge my arm at Tillie, smiling at Kinley. “Barely, but I think it’s only just begun.”

Tillie groans again, sinking into her chair. “It has.”

Bishop kisses the side of my neck as the music changes to “Oops” by Lost Kings and Ty Dolla Sign. A massive throwback that reminds me of the time I ran from Bishop after finding out I was pregnant.

I lean into Bishop, laughing when Tillie tells us about something War did to his sister River. Our family.

Our unit.

The Elite fucking Kings.

I came as The Silver Swan, grew into a Broken Puppet, learned from Tacet a Mortuis, suffered through Malum, watched the Devil find his Saint, and finally rebuilt our Ruined Castle. Together we did this, our family. We are one fucked-up family, but this world? Well…

This world was all fun and games right up until the ending came.

This is not the end but see you later…