Infernal God

11

Kassiel nodded like he could follow my thoughts. “Yes, that makes sense. Jophiel’s power made people forget. Your power is to remember.”

My smile fell at the mention of my sister, but it did make a strange sort of sense. I'd recovered most of my memories from my previous lives, and now I was able to tap into those powers too. "Let's hope I can help Lucifer do the same."

Everyone had come through the portal now, with Mirabella stepping through last. The portal closed behind her and the gem in her hand dulled. "The High King lives in the castle at the top of that hill," she said, pointing ahead of us at a large mountain with a gleaming white fairy tale castle on top of it, with spires and arches and silver towers. "This is where messengers and other visitors wait to be granted entrance. Transport should arrive shortly."

"We could always just fly up there," Belial muttered.

"It's best to follow the High King's protocols," Mirabella said. "Those who cross him don't often survive."

"I met him once, and I have to agree," Kassiel added, his mouth twisting.

Zel rested her hands on her daggers. "Something's coming."

Shapes appeared on the horizon, and I shielded my eyes with my hand as I watched them approach. “What are they?”

“Griffins," Mirabella said. "From the High King's personal fleet. It's a great honor."

The beasts touched down in the courtyard, surprisingly light on their taloned feet and graceful for such large creatures. They had the bodies of lions and the wings and heads of eagles, and on their backs they had golden saddles with fae riders sitting in them. There was no mistaking the riders as anything other than fae, with their pointed ears, ethereal beauty, and unusually colored hair.

Most surprising of all—my son Damien rode at the front of them.

As he dismounted his griffin, I rushed toward him, unable to help myself. Of all my sons, Damien was the one who most resembled me—or at the least me when I had been Persephone. His eyes were the color of periwinkles and his hair was an indigo so dark it looked black until the light hit it and revealed the truth of his fae heritage. As a prince of the Spring Court, he wore a small crown of gold with jeweled flowers, along with a billowy black silk shirt and trousers, plain but obviously made by the finest tailors. He flashed me a charming smile as I approached, the one that had always made me forgive him no matter what he'd done—and he'd always been a very mischievous child.

"Damien!" I drew him close, my heart overflowing with love. It had been so many decades since I'd seen him last, in another life entirely. "Or should I call you Dionysus?"

He made a pained face and laughed. "No, I don't use that name any longer. Damien is fine."

I pulled back to really look at him, noticing a darkness in his gaze that had never been there before, though his smile never faltered. "I missed you so much."

“It’s always too long between your lives. Though I heard Father put an end to the curse finally. Kassiel's told me a few things, but I'd love to hear about it from you."

I reached up to touch his glorious hair, so beautiful under the sun. "Yes, we have lots to catch up on."

"Indeed." He grinned and swatted my hand away from his hair. "Like how you're carrying my sister."

"It's weird, isn't it?" Kassiel asked, as he drew closer to us. "We've all lived for hundreds of years, yet now we're getting a baby sister."

"Not so weird to us," Belial said. "We went through it with you, after all."

"It's good to see you both again," Damien said, and the brothers all did those manly hugs that mostly consisted of back-patting and grunting. My heart melted at the sight of the three of them together for the first time in...well, probably centuries. Our family was finally reunited once again. The only person missing was Lucifer. I resolved once more to get him back, and to recreate this moment again with him at my side.

"Good to see me , you mean." Kassiel lifted his chin at Belial with a grin. "We're still not sure about this guy."

Damien arched an eyebrow. "What's he done now?"

"I'll tell you later," Kassiel said, while Belial scowled at them both.

"I look forward to the full report." Damien gestured toward the castle above us. "Right now the High King is waiting, and I suggest we make haste."

"Yes, we don't want to keep him waiting," I said. "Especially since I have a feeling we'll need his help."

“Then let's begin the next part of your journey.” Damien stepped forward, placing his hand on my elbow. He led me toward the griffins, and the other fae riders stood and bowed their heads. We stopped in front of one that had been tethered to Damien's griffin and had no rider.

“I haven't seen griffins in so long." I reached out and allowed the griffin to nudge its head against my fingertips. Its warm breath fanned over my skin and its curved beak poked against my hand. Without warning, it dropped to its knees, turning its head inquisitively as it seemed to wait for my next move.

“She’s accepted you," Damien said with a smile. "That’s an invitation to climb on her back."

I ran my fingers through her luxurious white feathers as I settled onto soft, golden fur and a firm saddle. Like most magical beings of myth and legend, griffins were native to Faerie, and they served as transportation for the nobles of the different courts. “It's good to know I haven't lost my touch with magical beings after all these years."

Damien mounted the griffin beside me. "I never had any doubts."

My companions were seated behind the fae riders, and I was the only one honored with a griffin of my own. I hoped I remembered how to ride one.

Once everyone was settled on their griffins, our beasts leaped into the air and spread their wings, taking us toward the castle and one of the most dangerous men alive—the High King of the Fae.