Horsemen's War (The Rebellion Chronicles #3) - Steve McHugh Page 0,135

about Tarron,” I said. “He was a good man.”

Layla nodded. “Yeah, he was. His people are safe at least in part because of him. As for Selene, she’s probably having a really big glass of vodka somewhere.”

“I know they’re fine,” I told her. “I’m pretty sure Astrid was the safest person in Shadow Falls. I just want to see her.”

“Go be a dad,” Zamek said. “I’m going to sit here with my friend until someone tells me where the nearest open bar is. Then I will get very, very drunk.”

“I like his plan,” Layla said.

I left them both there and found Selene over by the remains of the Washington Monument. She hugged me and kissed me on the lips. “Everyone keeps telling me that Astrid is fine,” she said. “Eos and Brynhildr have her. They literally stood between her and the Horsemen and killed everything that came within fifty feet.”

“That was a lot of information,” I said, happy that everyone was okay.

Selene smiled. “Sorry, I’ve been waiting to say it all since I got here. We lost a lot of good people, and I’m trying to stay positive.”

I held Selene against me, and for a brief moment the rest of the world could have gone to hell. Or further toward it.

“There’s something I want to talk to you about,” I said eventually, cursing myself for ruining the moment.

“Sounds important,” she said.

“It is,” I told her. “But later, when we’re not all covered in blood and gore. I just . . . remind me, okay?”

She nodded. “Have you seen Mordred?”

“He ran off just after Arthur died,” I said. “He had things to do. He’s now the face of those of us who aren’t human. Which might actually be the most amazing thing I’ve ever heard.”

“He’s with Judgement,” Selene told me. “She killed hundreds in Shadow Falls. The rage inside her was . . . it reminded me of you and Mordred.”

“We’re kin,” I said, as if that explained it in any way. “Sort of, anyway.”

“Go find Mordred so we can sort out whatever needs to be done, and then we can go home and sleep.” Selene paused for a second. “Or rather, we can go home and watch our baby sleep and never move from there. Ever.”

“I love you,” I said.

“You’re a soppy fucker, Mr. Garrett,” Selene said with a beaming smile. “And I love you too.”

I found Mordred talking to a large crowd near the Lincoln Memorial, which had become some sort of gathering place for the media and anyone who just wanted to know what the hell was going on.

I stayed far enough back from the crowd to ensure I was ignored, as Mordred, carrying no weapons, explained that Arthur was dead, that his tyranny was over, and that the people of the world had nothing to fear from those who had stood against him. It was a good speech; he was becoming better and better at it the more he gave them.

I was proud of him. Proud of the king he’d become, proud of the man he’d become. I was glad that, if nothing else, he’d been able to turn his life around and fight against the evil that had captured him for so long. Okay, he’d had to die and come back to do it, but it made me happy to know he’d done it.

The impromptu press conference finished, and Mordred thanked everyone for coming. He turned, spotted me, and walked over as several large guards stopped the press from running after him, shooting questions the whole time.

“I’d better get used to that, I guess,” he said.

I nodded.

“You got any ideas what you want to do after this?” Mordred asked me.

“Retire?” I suggested.

Mordred laughed. “I was going to offer you a job. Head of . . . well, what was the Law of Avalon and will no longer be called that. Can’t really keep something that was used to subjugate.”

“You keeping Avalon?” I asked him.

Mordred nodded. “I think so.” He looked at the massive number of allies who were helping, tending to the injured, and talking to humans who had come over to help too.

“This might just work,” I said. “That’s what you’re thinking, isn’t it?”

Mordred smiled and nodded. “I really bloody well hope so.”

“Where’s the sword?”

“Hel has it. I thought it best not to wander around with it on. I won’t be wearing a crown, either, despite several people telling me I should. A democratically elected king. I’m not sure that’s how it’s meant to work,