After a few more words with Samael, we moved to speak with Romana, who stood in gargoyle form, her bat-like wings folded behind her. She barked commands to the gargoyle soldiers in front of her, and then turned toward us with blazing eyes. She wore Theo’s betrayal like a shroud, like it had personally stained her, and now she had the ferocity of a woman with a lot to prove.
She bowed toward us. "My king and queen, I wish to apologize for my brother's actions."
“There is nothing to apologize for," Lucifer said.
"We know you weren't involved in his betrayal," I added.
Romana shook her head, her mouth twisted in an angry scowl. “No, but I should have seen it coming. Theo was always Belphegor's most loyal child, and I think he believed he should have become Archdemon instead of me, even though I am older than him by many centuries, and..."
"And what?" I asked, sensing there was more to this story.
Romana glanced about, and when she spoke again, she’d lowered her voice. "Theo is not entirely demon. He is half angel. Archangel, to be precise."
Lucifer arched an eyebrow. "Who is his father?"
"Michael," Romana said, her voice barely above a whisper.
My mouth fell open. That would make him Callan's half-brother. Lucifer tensed beside me too at the name.
Romana continued speaking in a low voice, as if telling us a secret. "He and Belphegor had a short fling about two hundred years ago, long before there was peace between the angels and demons. Theo was raised in Hell by our mother, who kept his parentage a secret. According to her, Michael refused to acknowledge Theo as his son. It's one of the reasons Mother hated angels so much, and why Theo hates them still."
"Michael's son, born in Hell..." Lucifer said, then closed his eyes and nodded. "That must be how they opened Death's tomb."
Of course. They hadn't needed Kassiel at all because they had Theo all along, carrying the blood of one of the people who had sealed away Death originally. Damn. If only we'd known the truth about him sooner.
It was too late to worry about what we might have done differently. I touched Romana’s arm lightly. “Thank you for coming today, Romana. I know it’s hard to be divided in your loyalties.”
She stood up straight, her leathery wings twitching. "There is no division. My brother will be brought to justice for what he's done. As will the rest of them."
Lucifer began to speak, but he was interrupted by a colorful portal opening up in the sand. My mother stepped through it wearing elaborate, shining armor with flowers engraved on the breastplate and along the arms and legs. Her helmet was designed to look like an armored crown, and she carried a staff in her hand. Damien left the portal right behind her in his own similar armor, and with him were about a dozen other soldiers from the Spring Court. My people, once.
I rushed over to them and gave my son a big hug, then turned to my mother. She embraced me too, to my surprise.
"Daughter," she said, as she stroked my back. "I understand your pain all too well."
"We came as soon as we heard," Damien said. "We're here to help get Aurora back."
Demeter pulled back from me and regained her composure immediately. "The Spring Court will not sit idly by while one of our own is attacked. And unlike Oberon, we will not ignore a threat that will spread to all of the realms if not stopped now."
"I'm so glad you're here," I said, glancing between the two of them. "Both of you."
"Yes, thank you." Lucifer moved up behind me and nodded at my mother. "We gladly welcome the help of the Spring Court in this battle."
Demeter offered him a smile that was more winter than spring… But it was a start.
Damien waved at Kassiel and Belial, who were standing with Olivia, Marcus, Callan, and Bastien. We headed toward them, leaving Demeter behind with her soldiers, and Olivia threw her arms around me.
"I'm so sorry about Aurora," she said, as she squeezed me close.
Callan pulled me in for a big bear hug next. "I'll do whatever I can to get my niece back. We're family, after all."
"Yes, we are," I said, wondering when I should tell him about Theo. Maybe when this was all over, if any of us were still alive. Instead, I turned to give my thanks to Marcus and Bastien.
Kassiel wrapped an arm around me, and we moved over to speak with Damien and Belial. I gazed at my three sons, noting how different they were. Damien in his fae court armor, his blue-black hair flowing in the wind. Kassiel in a suit much like his father's, and sharing the same green eyes. Belial in ripped-up jeans, motorcycle boots, with Morningstar strapped to his back. I loved them all so much, and though I worried about each of them getting hurt in the upcoming battle, I accepted that they were grown men too. If they wanted to fight for their family, who was I to stop them?
"Don't do anything stupid and get yourselves killed, or I'll kick your asses," Belial said to his brothers.
"That doesn't even make sense," Kassiel replied with a shake of his head.
Damien gave his brothers a mischievous smirk. "He's just worried we're going to steal all the glory in the battle."
Belial crossed his arms. "Hardly."
"Just be careful out there," I couldn't help but add. I was still their mother, after all. "I love you all so much."
Kassiel rested a hand on my shoulder, his demeanor going serious. "Don't worry. We'll get Aurora back."
"Yes, we will," Lucifer said, gazing at his sons with unabashed pride. "On that note, I have tasks for the three of you I can't trust with anyone else. Kassiel and Damien, I need you to find Azazel, Lilith and Cerberus. Free them and get them to safety.”
"It will be done," Damien said.
Lucifer looked at Belial for a
