promise that I have to look away or risk feeling like a creeper that’s peering in on an intimate moment. Medley giggles again as Flint presses her more firmly against him and Alder, but thankfully, Wrath walks over right then and pulls my focus from the heat coming off my sister and her mates.
Wrath pulls Ire in for a hug. She’s covered in blood, though she wears it like battle makeup, but Ire doesn’t seem to mind as they both pat each other on the back and then separate. “My progeny,” she says by way of greeting. “You did very well in battle.”
Ire tips his head in respect to her. “Thank you, Matron.”
She hums, giving him a satisfied once over before she looks over at me and my sisters. “You three were exceptional. Hell owes you a great deal, and I am honored that my son is so well-matched.”
I fidget a little under her formal declaration, but I manage to nod. “Thank you.”
“Ire, take them to our palace. You all need to rest and recover. We will take care of you and protect you there, you have my word,” Wrath says to me, Toreon, and Vudu, before looking over to my sisters. “You are welcome to stay there as well. Any family of my son’s mate is my own family too,” she tells Medley and Delta.
Taz huffs. “Now wait one minute, my daughters should stay in my palace,” he says.
“Or they can come to Purgatory with me,” Nefta puts in, cutting Tazreel off.
“But—” Taz begins.
I raise an eyebrow in warning, and Tazreel grumpily slams his lips shut. Delta nearly pees her pants, she’s so ecstatic about our newfound control over their bickering. Wrath’s eyes fill with respect and warmth.
“We’re grateful for the offer, but I think we’d like to just go home for now,” Medley says, looking at her mates, their hands clasped in hers.
“Same,” Delta says before she looks at me. “You’re coming too right?”
Well, crap. We’re back to this already?
I look hesitantly around at everyone, trying to figure out what to do. I understand their desire to go home and recover from everything. And I do want to stay with my sisters, but maybe giving them a little space to reconnect with their mates might not be such a bad idea.
My gray gaze settles on Wrath. A little extra protection might be nice. Yes, we just beat Morax, but Toreon and I are probably still at risk here in Hell. The last thing we need is some Pro-Morax supporter trying to snatch us while we’re here. I look to Toreon, Vudu, and then to Ire. “Everyone okay with staying at Ire’s place for a bit?”
Ire puffs up, pleased, while Vudu and Toreon both give me curt nods. I study them for a beat longer and then nod myself. “Well, that settles that,” I announce.
But I don’t miss the bummed out expression on Delta’s face. The fact that she genuinely wanted me to come back with her makes me feel all warm and mushy and wanted, and since it’s apparently my reaction of choice today, I feel tears sting my eyes.
“Fine,” Tazreel grumps. “This will make the party preparation far easier, I suppose.” His attempt at optimism is tinged with a little too much outrage to come off as authentic, but it’s good that he’s at least trying. Baby steps.
“Not today though,” Delta orders. “I refuse to come to a party for at least a week.”
Tazreel’s mouth drops open, and I watch him slowly close it and swallow down the argument that’s clearly creeping up his throat. “Fine,” he snaps. “I look forward to seeing you three in one week.”
I chuckle, unable to help myself, and I hear Medley do the same. He’s just so pissed, and it’s adorable how hard it is for him to rein it in. But he’s doing it, and that’s all my sisters and I can hope for.
“I’ll just be off then,” he practically growls out, and then the next thing I know, he’s stormed off.
Delta loses it as soon as he’s gone, and her mirth is contagious. “His face,” she squeals as she laughs into Rafferty’s shoulder. “This is going to be too good,” she coos on a sigh, wiping laugh tears from her eyes as her blue demon smiles down at her and pets the back of her wing.
“I should go too,” Nefta declares, stepping back from us. She pauses for a moment and looks up at Medley, Delta, and me. “We’ll