Terra’s brows snapped together. Had the Matron been dipping into the nectar? That was the only way she could make that particular accusation.
“I’m just one of the sisters. I have no power.”
The female’s lips pinched in frustration. “You’ve been a disruptive force that has had the temple in chaos since the day you arrived.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“She’s not wrong,” Javad murmured, his lips twitching. “You’ve been a disruptive force in my life since the night we met.”
The Matron ignored Javad, her exasperated gaze locked on Terra. “Your calls for change continued to ripple through the other Serafs, even after you disappeared. You and your progressive ideals gained in popularity no matter how hard I tried to quash the uprising.”
Terra smiled. “Good.”
“Is it? You weren’t there to watch as we were slaughtered by those we tried to heal. To have your sisters die in your arms. Or to huddle in hidden bunkers while we were being hunted like animals by those who wanted our blood.”
Terra’s smile faded. At times, she allowed her fervent desire to return the Serafs to what they should be to rule and forgot that there’d been genuine reasons for building the temple.
“No.” Her voice was soft with regret. “It must have been terrifying.”
The Matron pressed her hands together. “I made a solemn pledge two thousand years ago to do everything I could to keep my children safe.”
“A worthy goal, but it’s turned us into prisoners.” Terra spread her arms. “We have to be free to share our gifts. And to choose our own paths.”
The Matron parted her lips as if to argue with Terra’s plea, then, glancing back down at Cyra, she heaved a resigned sigh.
“Any change will take time,” she muttered.
Terra’s heart skipped a beat. She wasn’t a fool. It would take decades, maybe centuries for the Matron to give in to the inevitable need to transform the temple. But at least it was a start.
“What will you do with Cyra?” Terra demanded.
She was still deeply hurt by the betrayal of her former friend. It had been as painful as any injury she’d received in Vynom’s less-than-tender care. But she couldn’t bear the thought of Cyra being judged and condemned as a traitor.
The Matron grimaced. “She’ll have to be punished, but I can’t destroy her.”
With a low growl, Javad moved forward. He wasn’t nearly so forgiving. Terra hurriedly stepped in front of him, placing her hands on his chest.
“No, Javad,” she pleaded as she tilted back her head to meet his fierce glare. “Cyra is no longer my concern. Just as Vynom is no longer yours.” She ran her hands up his chest to circle her arms around his neck. “Nothing matters but our future.” She went up on tiptoe to brush her lips across the line of his stubborn jaw. “Together.”
He snarled out a curse, but slowly, his tense muscles eased. She planted another kiss on his chin before she turned to face the older female, who regarded her with a wary expression.
“You’re leaving?” the Matron asked.
Terra leaned back against Javad, savoring his strength. How had she existed without him?
“Yeah, I have a new life in Vegas now.”
The Matron offered a stiff nod. “I won’t insult your intelligence by pretending that I’m sad to see you go. But I do promise to consider what I’ve learned today.”
“Change is inevitable. You can lead it or be crushed by it,” Terra warned, glancing over her shoulder at the male who’d forever altered her life. “Are you ready?”
He smiled, his arms wrapping around her waist. “Let’s go home.”
“Home.”
Without bothering to glance toward the grim-faced Matron, Terra lifted her arm and opened a portal.
Together, they stepped out of the past and into the future.
* * * *
Also from 1001 Dark Nights and Alexandra Ivy, discover Slayed by Darkness, Blade, Rage/Killian and Kayden/Simon.
* * * *
Slayed by Darkness
A Guardians of Eternity Novella
By Alexandra Ivy
Coming June 22, 2021
Click here to pre-order!
Only an idiot would try to kidnap Jayla. She’s a take-no-prisoner kind of vampire who rebelled against the previous King of Vampires, and now regularly battles with both human and demon enemies who resent the success of Dreamscape casino she manages in Hong Kong. So when she’s snatched off the streets, she doesn’t bother to struggle. Instead she starts plotting her slow, bloody revenge.
The last creature she expects when she arrives at her destination is Azrael, the mysterious mercenary vampire she killed a century ago.
Azreal has never forgotten Jayla, and not just because she tried to stab a stake through his heart. He’d never encountered a female who could match him in battle. Her raw courage was sexy as hell. And it didn’t hurt that she was drop-dead gorgeous. But, he didn’t abduct her because he desired her. Or at least, that wasn’t his main motivation. He needs her rare talent to stop time. An evil fey has stolen his sword. The weapon is magically bound to him, and unless he retrieves it, he’s doomed to a painful death.
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THE BISHOP by Skye Warren
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A Seaside Pictures Novella
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An Arizona Vengeance Novella
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A Sexy Royals Novella
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