war yet. But it’s coming. I have no idea what to expect, but the world is facing dark days, and soon, everyone will know there’s an outside enemy looking to destroy society. Panic will set in, and who knows what chaos will follow?” Herne winced, dropping into a chair. “I’m afraid that in a few years, this world will be unrecognizable, unless we can find a way to destroy Typhon.”
“Meanwhile, we prepare for war, and we do what we can, and we enjoy every blessing because there might not be another coming,” Ginty said.
That silenced all four of us.
Angel was cooking up a storm by the time I got home. As I headed to the house from my car, a distant flash of light split the sky as a faint breeze stirred the leaves on the trees. I paused, counting. I reached four when a low rumble of thunder rolled through the air. Another flash, and this time it was only three seconds. I watched the clouds for a moment, uncertain, and then a third flash overhead stirred me and I headed for the house as thunder immediately echoed around me. I dashed inside as a deluge of hail began to rain down, pea-sized pebbles of ice bouncing on the ground as they pelted the earth.
I ducked into the house, turning to watch the hail cover the lawn like some delinquent snowstorm. Finally, after another blinding flash, I shut the door, hoping to shut the storm out. Some storms felt like they had a sentience to them. As though they watched from the heavens, targeting victims at random.
The smell of chowder enveloped me, and I held it tight in my lungs, then slowly let out my breath, grateful to be home. The entire day had felt like one massive clusterfuck. My mouth began to water as I headed into the kitchen.
Angel was stirring the soup, and I saw a pan of French bread, buttered and covered with grated parmesan, ready to go into the oven. The table was set and a bouquet of fresh roses sat in the middle, along with two rose-colored pillar candles. A peach pie was cooling on the counter, and Mr. Rumblebutt was chowing down on his dinner. Feeling safe again, comfy in the nest Angel and I had built for ourselves, I dropped into a chair at the table.
“You’ll never guess what happened,” I said, picking a cherry out of the fruit bowl in the middle of the table.
Angel looked up from the stove. “By your tone of voice, I’m not sure I want to know.” She turned the heat down, then wiped her hands on a dishtowel and wandered over to sit beside me. “By the look on your face, it wasn’t good.”
“I’m not sure what the hell it is, to be honest. Good…bad…weird? Weird, definitely.” I launched into telling her about the meeting. The parleys were private, generally, but anybody in the agency—or the Fae Queens’ administrations—could know.
“So, my uncle’s getting married to one of Unkai’s band, and Saílle tried to co-opt me into her court to one-up Névé. That didn’t fly, so now, apparently, I’m to become a member of both courts. Honorarily, of course. They couldn’t ever give me a real membership or that might legitimize me.” I felt spiteful. “It was the oddest, most uncomfortable interchange I’ve had in a long time. I need to talk to Morgana.” I glanced at the clock. It was five-ten. She’d be here within the hour. “I feel like I’m walking on eggshells and everything is going to blow sky-high if I do something wrong.”
“Of course this is a huge deal. Not only are you marrying a god, but you’re becoming one. This is major, Ember. You’re going to be a goddess.” She blinked, shaking her head. “Did you ever think, in your wildest dreams, that things would come to this?”
I shook my head. “No, and I’m scared out of my mind. I have no clue what to expect.” I slowly stood. “I guess I should take a shower. I’m sticky and rain-soaked. And the storm looks like it’s just going to get worse.”
She nodded. “The weatherman said to expect thunder off and on all night. So don’t turn on any computer unless it’s a laptop. I’ll finish setting the table. Do you want to be alone with her? I can eat in my room if you want.”
“No, of course not. I want you there. For one thing, you’ll probably remember things I’ll forget.