“Thanks.” Trevor handed Vero over to his uncle. “Go with Uncle Kirill, Son.”
“Mama!” Vero cried for me.
“I'll see you in a little while.” I kissed his cheek. “I promise.”
“Promise.” Vero grinned and kissed me with a wet smack.
My lions left, all of them giving me big smiles to make up for the scene with Zariel. When they were gone, I took a deep, steadying breath. They were safe. Re had even taken Nick in his kitty carrier so I wouldn't have to worry about him. And yes, Nick was back to being his usual self as well. He'd been too shy to come out with everyone in the entry hall, but when I was packing, he found me and made sure to rub himself all over my luggage and me. High praise in kitty-speak.
It's going to be okay, Vervain, Al said gently in my mind.
Al! There you are!
Here I am, he agreed with laughter in his voice. And there you are. I knew you'd get your star back. You made the right choice, Vervain. Nothing is more important than your destiny.
Except for my family, I said sharply.
Yes, they're important too. But your destiny is tied—
Yeah, yeah, I cut him off. It's tied to the fate of the World.
Vervain, I was there with you the entire time, you just couldn't hear me. I want you to know that what Sin said is true; you are special without the magic. You are not merely a vessel, you are the most integral piece. Without you, there is no Trinity Star.
My irritation faded in a heartbeat. Al had been there for me. He couldn't help what he was or the limitations it placed on him. He did what he could for me; had from the very beginning. Thanks, Al.
I love you, Vervain. You are a daughter to me. I'm sorry you have to go through this, but I'm here now. I'll be with you while you complete your bargain, and I'll make sure that Marduk doesn't betray you.
I love you too, Al. Then, out loud, I said, “I'm going outside. Can someone get that asshat Marduk for me?”
Hey, my kids weren't there and the moment required some foul language.
“I'll get him,” Azrael offered with a small smile.
I headed outside with the rest of my men; down the palace steps between the dragon statues and into the space before the palace. I glanced at the pool where I'd spent hours with my family and then at the swing set with its new toddler seat. I looked all around the territory I'd put blood, sweat, and tears into and tried to tell myself it was only a place full of stuff I could recreate somewhere else. Then my stare landed on the graveyard.
“Oh, no,” I whispered. “I forgot about our dead. We can't just leave them here.”
“Those are just bodies, Minn Elska,” Trevor said gently. “Empty shells like the palace will be. No one lives in them anymore. Most of those lions are in Duat now, remember? And Duat's just a doorway away from where the Pride will be. I'm sure they'd tell you themselves to leave their bodies where they lie and not give them a second thought.”
“All but Al.” I started sobbing brokenly, my tough façade finally broken. “I can't leave Al.”
“Al is gone, sweetheart.” Trevor pulled me in against his chest. “And he would be the first one to tell you not to cry over his corpse. He wouldn't want to see his Tima like this, not with her enemy approaching. Come on, Vervain, dry those tears. Don't let that bastard see you cry.”
I sniffed and swiped at my face. Trevor was right. Al had been a soldier once. He'd want to see me grinning at my enemy even as I surrendered; standing proud and strong when I faced Marduk. And so would every other person there. I was failing them again with this useless display. Now was not the time for tears. I could cry later.
This Al is with you, Alaric—who hated to be called Al—said in my mind. And I can tell you with absolute certainty that your lion is happy in the Void and would not want his corpse to be the cause of additional grief for you. Let it go, Vervain. Let him go.
Thank you Alaric, I pointedly used his full name.
You're welcome.
And Alaric?
Yes?
Tell the other Al that his Tima and his brothers miss him.
I will. Now, get this over with, Vervain.I'm tired of looking at this dickhead's ugly face.
I straightened my shoulders and lifted my chin as Marduk came walking up. My friends and family followed him, herding him toward me.
“Finally,” Marduk huffed when he reached me.
“Luke,” I ignored Marduk, “can you assist us, please?”
“Of course.” Luke stepped over. After a long, venomous look at Marduk, he said, “The process is simple. Vervain, you pull back your magic while you, Marduk, push yours into the void hers creates. That will be the extent of your involvement, Vervain. But, Marduk, you will then feel the empty territory trying to connect with you. You will become its sustenance so you must freely give it access to your magic and bond with it.”
“That's it?” Marduk asked.
“A god's territory is an extension of himself; give it your magic and form the bond,” Luke said. “That's it.”
“Are you ready?” I asked Marduk.
“Of course, I'm ready. Do it.”
“It must be a gentle flow,” Luke warned Marduk. “Don't be too eager. Push a little to establish a connection then let the territory pull you in.”
Marduk nodded crisply.
I closed my eyes and reached for my territory. The land shivered, sensing my distress. Then everything began to shiver. As I removed the magic that made the Pride Territory mine, I realized that I had a choice. I could leave all of my creations for Marduk to enjoy or I could take them back; wipe the slate clean. I opened my eyes with the revelation and saw Luke staring
