Divine Fate (Cursed Legacies, #4)

by Morgan B. Lee

So he became mortal through…a blood blossom. No wonder that term is still ingrained in the fae vocabulary.

“In all possible attempts, Galene only foresaw my demise, for fate knows my path is one of immortal reaping. You carry more humanity within you, so perhaps your outcome will be more favorable.”

need this, darling. Every shade of your anger, your bliss, even your terror. Every fragment of you. I want everything I can get with you, so I ask that when I do give up the ghost⁠—” “Stop,” I snap,

“My darling, I only ask that you hold back from reaping whatever I have for a soul, when the time comes. Whatever I’ll be after this, I’ll belong to you just the same. Keep what’s left of me in a bottle, if you like. Let my wretched soul haunt you and hate me if that’s easier, but please just keep me.”

Taking a deep breath, I nod. It’s all I can seem to do. Crypt smiles sadly, resting his forehead against mine. “What a brave muse I have.”

Frost faced the brutal final moments with our dying keeper all on his own. We have a silent understanding that he gets a pass this time.

“Okay, we have to change the plan,” Frost finally announces, still holding onto Maven as if he expects her to drift away any moment. “Crypt, you take a changeling. I can’t do this.”

Why, I’m right as rain, but thanks ever so much for your concern, my snow-white dove, I reply saccharinely. I can hear Decimus laughing through the bond because he appreciates humor, and Maven is smirking, but Frost just swears at me. Maven?

We’re almost to the citadel. Decimus is surprised. Damn, that was fast. Flying through Limbo must be so fucking convenient. You’re a godsdamned dragon, Crane reminds him. You can fly, too. Sure, as a twenty-five-ton gleaming golden monster. Not super convenient when it comes to landing, believe it or not. Are you still alive, Boo?

Okay. After we get through this, I want ice cream. I’ll buy you all the ice cream in the entire godsdamned world as long as you get back to me in one piece, Frost promises.

“That’s Frost’s sister.”

“Don’t touch her, love. Whatever emotions and pain she’s experiencing from this area of the Nether, she seems to be conducting, as well.”

Ooooooooh. Her book is going to be good !!

The blue-haired young woman ghost appears in front of Crypt and me, popping out of one of the catacomb walls. She immediately crouches to check on Heidi, looking concerned as she peers up at me. She gestures to herself, then to Heidi, and mouths, Best friends.

I grin, tipping my head back. “Watch out. The green Jell-O threat was already utilized by Baelfire.” “Damn that big lizard for taking the best threat of them all,” Crypt smiles back.

“If you’re harmed while we’re apart, you won’t be the only one incapable of forgiving me. I’ll be back as quickly as I can, my love.”

Human and legacy Reformists, dozens of tangible ghosts, and hundreds of ravens are attacking ghouls, Undead, demons, Nether monsters, and other hellish creatures all around the arena.

High in the dim, grayish sky of the Nether, three golden dragons soar past overhead. One of them lets loose a spine-tingling roar before breathing down blinding royal blue fire somewhere outside the arena. Instinctively, I know that one is mine.

Seeing my dragon in action and not feral puts a smile on my face. I withdraw both Pierce and Cuttrina, my blood already pumping with the excitement of combat.

“Enjoying yourself, darling?” “I’m having the time of my new life,” I grin. “My gods, you’re so stunning in your element,” he breathes before wrapping me up in a kiss.

He straightens to meet my gaze through the battle, speaking in fae. I’ll be fine once I can apologize between your pretty thighs again for nearly harming the love of my life.

In a sick way, I do have Amadeus to thank for the way I turned out. I also have him to thank for taking away Lillian. That thought makes me turn to face Amadeus more fully as I grip the handles of my blades.

Holy fucking shit, Baelfire says through the bond when his attention finally falls on the king of the Undead now entering the arena. Fake Daddy’s here and he’s horrifying.

I recognize some of those necromancers. They’re marked with vita lathantiem charms. What the fuck is a feet alot than TM charm? my dragon shifter asks. My gods, that was rough to listen to, Crypt cringes.

I had recited them to her. “I feel nothing. I’m on my own. I need no one. I am but a weapon who is one with death. I am nothing but deadly calm.” “What? None of that is true!” she’d snapped, so upset that she accidentally knocked over several chess pieces before swearing in fae. “That scútráche. No, Maven. You are so much more than that.”

Feeling mortality so heavily is thrilling.

The second their attacks fade, my quintet is on the move. They work as a team so smoothly now that it almost takes my breath away. Ice flies and blasts of blood magic make my hair stand on end. Behind us, I sense a wave of heat as Baelfire’s royal blue flames annihilate anyone trying to creep up on our quintet.

FINALLY!!!!!!!!! As one !!!!!

His skeletal, powerful hand plunges forward, and⁠— He rips Everett’s heart out. The elemental collapses immediately, twitching.

Withdrawing Pierce, I jam it deeply into Amadeus’s now-occupied chest until my fingertips nearly sink into his crepe-paper-like, unnatural flesh. The Entity’s hoarse scream cuts through the air like the most beautiful hymn I’ve ever heard.

His chest stops rising and falling. And a moment later, I sense it. New death, like a thick, heavy tide pulling away from this shore.

need you to do something for me, I tell only Everett telepathically, clinging to the fact that the bond hasn’t broken for all I’m worth. I need you to stay.

“Fuck, that hurt like hell,” he groans before glancing at the rest of my quintet and grimacing. “The lizard’s naked again. Why am I not surprised? Worst sight ever to wake up to.”

All around, Reformists gasp and drop to their knees, telling me these goddesses are visible to everyone. “Daughter,” Syntyche greets simply.

She cannot yet remember why this is so vital, but she will know soon. Come along, my fearless one. Your sworn fate awaits.” She waves her hand, and just like that, my vision goes white.

As much a menace as you’ve been, my dear niece, your passion and depth of love have earned my respect. There’s fire in you where fear should be. Let’s hope you don’t regret that later.”

“We’ve enjoyed watching you in the mortal realm, but despite the rather awful wringer you put us through when you first arrived in Paradise, we’ve…well, we’ve missed you.”

“You will visit us in projections like this in the future, but not often,” Galene adds. “Therefore, allow us to enjoy this small celebration with you before we make such great changes to the world. Syntyche, especially, is pleased to have you here.”

Oh, my gods. This isn’t just dinner and a show. It’s payback for all the shit I put them through when I first came here. There’s no other explanation for these holy sadists wanting to watch such a boring dance routine while I sit here and watch them enjoy dinner together.

“If I don’t last until our goddess opens her pretty eyes again, tell her it’s still the best rest I’ve ever had.”

“I also kind of tied your souls to the Nether alongside mine,” she adds, clearing her throat. “My bad.” “Oh, thank the fucking gods,” Everett breathes, sitting on the bed near her and Silas like he’s beyond relieved. “I was worried you agreed to do that alone. Good.”

“Very good,” I grin. “As long as I’m tied to you, Raincloud, I’m really fucking happy that’s all the blood oath was.”

“You’re not dying. I didn’t come this far to lose any of you, and now, all that’s left is a lifetime with the men I…love.” I fucking melt.

Sorry for bartering with your souls.” I laugh. “No, you’re not.” “You’re right. I’m not. I’d do it again because you’re all fucking mine.”

For someone with a raging somnophilia kink, he can’t get enough of being on the receiving end.

“You’re all obvious. Especially Baelfire.” I’m pretty sure my dragon shifter is the one spearheading this surprise, since he’s been practically jumping out of his skin anytime I’ve walked into the room while he was on his phone.

Baelfire not-so-subtly had me sample over seventeen different cake flavors over the last few weeks.

he wasn’t the only one who tipped me off. Everett has also been evasive as hell, and Silas has been avoiding the topic of my birthday like the plague. Anytime I’ve brought it up, he’s immediately turned the topic to the approachin...

Hey, Boo? Baelfire checks in telepathically, clearly trying to hide exasperation from whatever conversation he’s been having with Crypt. How much would it bug you if I beat Crypt to a pulp for hogging you? You hogged me last night, I point out. Doesn’t count since all three of your voyeurs enjoyed the show. Not that I minded you enjoying them enjoying you, but this is different.

Canoodling is still a banned word, I remind him. Punish me for using it later and get your sweet ass over here.

“That one is an ice cream cake,” Baelfire tells me through his laughter. They make ice cream into cake, too? Genius.

I love it. My mate is the best fucking mate in the world, I add, knowing the praise will go straight to his cock. His gaze grows molten. Watch your pretty mouth, hellion.