The Warlord (Rise of the Warlords 1)

Maybe PopPop wasn’t so bad? “What of Erebus?” She wanted her father dead as soon as possible.

“Like you, Erebus won’t be so easily defeated next time.” Chaos arched a brow. “He has won the newest weapon, after all.”

Roc tensed up. “Which is?”

The god shrugged. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

“What of you? Have you ascended?” Bitterness, joy and fury layered her husband’s tone.

Chaos merely smiled and flashed away, husband and wife alone.

Roc wasted no time, throwing his arms around her. “You were willing to die for me.”

“Um, I did die for you,” she teased, returning the hug with all her strength. “You gave up everything for me.”

“You are my everything.”

The door burst open, her family flooding into the room, demanding a full accounting for what had transpired. Even Strider, Sabin and Lysander entered, though her consorts-in-law glared murder at Roc the entire time. The Astra arrived next, barely beating the harphantoms, who ghosted through the walls.

A thousand voices tangled together. Some she heard louder than others. “What happened?”

“Did you see T-bomb defeat death itself?”

“Now can I punish the Astra for putting my sis in danger?”

Well. He’d once wanted a family of his own. Now he had a brood.

Taliyah laughed at his bemused look. “Christmases are going to be fun.”

* * *

Roc sat on the Harpy throne, with the General perched on his lap. Only a day had passed since the ceremony, but so much had changed.

Taliyah had already received six challenges for General, all of which she’d won. Actually, she’d received eight others, but those eight eventually rescinded their challenges after watching her fight. She no longer hid her phantom abilities and utterly destroyed her opponents, misting and embodying at will. They survived only because she had willed it so.

Roc had cheered her on, calling out, “She’s mine. Do you see her? Mine.” His men might have been a little impressed, as well.

Usually after a ceremony, the Astra returned to Nova to prepare for the next task. This cycle, they’d chosen to remain in Harpina and celebrate their victory with everyone involved.

The harphantoms stood lined up by the walls, watching with haunted eyes. They had suffered for so long. With time, effort and Taliyah’s help, they would recover.

The Lords of the Underworld had decided to mingle a bit longer, as well. No matter where they stood, they continued to glare at Roc. Apparently, his I will not apologize for aiding my wife speech hadn’t gone over well.

Blythe sat on one of the many chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, observing Roux’s every move. Judging by the stiffness of the warlord’s posture, he was not unaware.

Isla danced in the middle of the room with Taliyah’s sisters. The little girl smiled, yet she projected sadness. She’d lost her father, and Roc...regretted. If there were something he could do, he would. Already he had an idea. But Roux would need to spend more time in the Hall of Secrets first...

Laughter caught his attention. He glanced about the room, where his army mingled with Taliyah’s. Both groups were having fun.

The Astra stood in formation behind the throne, choosing to remain set apart from the crowd. Roc had delivered Chaos’s message, so the warlords remained keyed up. They didn’t know what weapon Erebus received, or who would be given the next task, or even what that task would be.

What Roc did know? With a woman like Taliyah on their side, they couldn’t lose. Failure wasn’t even a possibility.

“I wish Aurora and Twila were here,” Taliyah said.

“One day, they will be. When I ascend, I’ll be taking them from Chaos.” The god might have come through in the end, but he’d also made a choice. He’d saved Erebus from Roc’s sword, proving where his loyalties lay. So, he would share his son’s fate.

“I’ll help.”

As soon as she’d learned how Chaos shielded Erebus, she’d viewed the god as a major foe. Because of this, Roc knew both males had numbered days. Taliyah the Terror of All Lands didn’t accept defeat. Ever.

He traced his thumb over the seam of her cherry-red lips. “You appear starved. Shall we adjourn?”

She snorted. “I fed this morning.”

“Who can survive on one meal a day?” He loved feeding her. Loved providing for his wife, his family. He had so much to give. Whatever she took, he regenerated—and then some! Truly, the more he gave, the more he produced. Roc’s body hummed with power. He’d never felt stronger. “Also, you need more stardust.”

Another snort. “Baby, I’m a walking glitter bomb. I sparkle from head to toe, which makes it a little hard to intimidate my foes and my people, by the way. But okay, you talked me into it.” Smiling, she smoothed her hand over his cheek. “I love seeing my stardust on your skin.”

Powered by his soul and her return as a Goddess General, she’d begun producing a stardust of her own. He loved it, too. More than he could ever say. “I want more.”