Ink & Dagger (Sins of Eden #1)

46. Chapter XLVI

Chapter XLVI

Jaxon

T he building around us trembled and shook as the floors began to cave, but I couldn’t tear my eyes from Emily as she screamed in pain.

Clenching her jaw tightly, her chest rose and fell in exertion, as she lifted her hands up and closed her eyes.

My Sweet Witch was radiant - with her long raven black hair flowing in waves around her and the confident stride in which she walked after reopening her eyes. Her skin glowed brighter than her golden irises, but that wasn’t the most remarkable thing about her.

Large onyx wings had torn from her back, the feathery appendages looking almost iridescent in the lighting. I let out a breath of wonder as she shifted her footing and I noticed the red tips of her wings in the candle light of the room.

My Dark Queen.

Her lips pulled up into a smile on one side and I watched in awe as she conjured her own sword of aether, before gesturing for Gabriel to come at her with her other hand.

With a shout, reminiscent of a battle cry, he sprung at her, their swords clashing against one another as he bared his teeth against the force of her strikes.

She laughed bitterly with a spin and kicked out, landing a solid blow to his chest and knocking him back. Her skin illuminated the room as she danced gracefully around him, swinging her sword, and parrying his with each step closer to me.

“You’re almost better than your father with one of those,” Gabriel admired, lashing out his own sword. “Almost.”

“Get ready, Demon,” Ghost hissed quietly in my ear as Emily caught his blade with her own and pushed him back.

She conjured one final blow that blasted him backwards, throwing him into the portal just behind him. His wide eyes were the last I saw before the barrier burst into a blinding light, shaking the foundation and tearing the house in two.

Emily collapsed to the ground in front of me, all of her energy depleted. With Ghost securely coiled around my shoulders, I gently cradled my Dark Maritus and blinked the three of us to safety as the house was absorbed into the portal.

***

“Master Killian, you’ve got to put her down. She’s alright, but I need to check on you.” A sharp voice scolded from the room across from my own as I carefully placed Emily on the bed.

“I said I’m fine,” Killian roared.

With a sigh, the woman muttered something about ungrateful Princes and left the room. She shook her head as she descended the stairs.

Ghost slithered down from my shoulders just as my own companion came bounding down the hall. His tail wagged excitedly as his heavy paws slammed against the stone floor.

Ghost coiled tightly beside Emily, hissing as Cerbi leaped up onto the bed to greet me. I patted his heads and scratched behind his ears as I watched my Queen sleep.

Calling him down from the bed, I carefully pulled the black duvet up and kissed her head before leading Cerbi out of the room and pulling the door closed behind me.

Between the magic she’d wielded and her new form, she would need her rest, but now that Kill was home, I had matters to attend to.

Striding down the hall, I entered my office and sat down at my desk as I pressed the call button to Cadell, wincing at the wound in my side from the enchanted dagger.

It would heal in time, as would the hole in my chest, but it still hurt like a bitch.