Chapter 169
[ 1,096 words ]
10:33 Mon, Sep 15
Goddess Of The Underworld.
Chapter 170
I woke to the faint sound of movement, drawers opening, voices low but steady. The room smelled like coffee and soap, comfort wrapped in chaos. Blinking into the morning light filtering past the curtains, I pushed myself up against the pillows. My belly felt heavier than yesterday, a gentle reminder that four little lives had made themselves at home inside me. My mates were already moving. Xavier was by the desk, flipping through notes. Noah had his phone to his ear, murmuring something sharp but calm. Haiden carried two mugs of coffee, setting one by my side before taking a swig of the other. Levi, of course, looked far too put–together for men who should’ve been asleep.
“You’ve all been up a while,” I said, my voice still scratchy with sleep. “Don’t tell me you’ve been at this since last night p>
Four sets of eyes turned toward me, guilty in different shades.
Xavier rubbed the back of his neck. “We… didn’t sleep p>
I frowned. “At all p>
Noah shook his head, sliding his phone into his pocket. “There wasn’t time. We’ve been making arrangements for Felix. Setting up care so he’s comfortable and not alone. Theo and Zion will stay with him, but we’ll check in every day, and now he’ll have a nurse full–time and better living
conditions p>
Levi added without looking up from the papers in his hand, “And splitting shifts between here and the Underworld. Keeping things steady p>
Haiden plopped into the chair beside me with a grin that didn’t quite reach his tired eyes. “Silas is pulling more weight than he should. Might have to give the guy a raise at this point p>
Levi finally glanced up, his expression flat as a blade. “Silas doesn’t get an income p>
That earned him a bark of laughter from Haiden and even a slight smirk from Xavier. I covered my mouth, half–giggle, half–groan. “Gods, you’re all hopeless. ”
Noah leaned his hip against the bed, eyes softening as he looked at me. “Hopeless, maybe. But we’re not stopping until everything’s handled p>
I reached for his hand, squeezing it. “You should at least rest. Just for a little while p>
Xavier leaned down, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “Later,” he murmured. “After we know you and
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Chapter 170
the babies are settled p>
Their stubbornness was exhausting and comforting in equal measure. My little army, always morning. always carrying more than they should, yet always circling back to me.
“I want to go see Felix today,” I said after a long moment, my hand smoothing over my bally. The thought of him lying in a bed, fading piece by piece, made my chest ache. “I’d like to spend some
time with him while I still can p>
should
Xavier looked up from where he was buttoning his shirt, his brow furrowed. “Then maybe you take the kids with you,” he said carefully. “Elliot, Macey, even Elias, if Reina agrees. Kids always seem to bring a little more life into a room p>
Noah nodded immediately. “He’d like that. He lights up around them.” His eyes softened as he rubbed the back of his neck. “Sometimes, kids are the best medicine p>
Levi and Haiden exchanged a look but didn’t argue for once. After I washed up and pulled on a soft dress, I let them herd me into the dining hall for food before we left. I wasn’t even fully through the doorway before a groan slipped out of me. Aleisha and Tommy were already there, hunched over plates piled with eggs and toast like it was their last meal. Aleisha’s hair was a wild mess, Tommy’s eyes ringed with shadows, both of them looking like they’d run laps around the castle before
breakfast.
“Seriously?” I muttered, planting my hands on my hips. “Does no one in this place know how to
rest p>
Aleisha looked up mid–bite, her cheeks puffed like a chipmunk. “Rest is for the dead.” She swallowed and grinned. “And apparently, we don’t stay there long around you p>
Tommy chuckled around his mug of coffee, the sound dry but fond. “She’s not wrong p>
I dropped into the nearest chair with a sigh, rubbing my temples. “God save me from stubborn people. You’d think after dying you’d enjoy a nap. ”
Haiden leaned against the doorframe with a smirk. “You’re one to talk, love. ”
I tossed him a glare, but couldn’t keep the corner of my mouth from twitching upward.
Aleisha speared another forkful of eggs and wagged it at me like a weapon. “Bossy pregnant queen mode. You can’t fool me. You’re just mad someone beat you to the kitchen p>
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Chapter 170
“I’m not mad,” I shot back, reaching for the toast Noah slid in front of me. “I’m… mildly irritated. ”
Tommy snorted into his coffee. “That’s the same thing p>
Levi slid into the seat across from me, deadpan as ever. “You should both be in bed. Doctor’s orders p>
“Not a doctor,” Aleisha sing–songed, rolling her eyes.
“Doesn’t mean I’m wrong,” Levi countered smoothly, already scribbling something into that little notebook he always seemed to have.
Haiden leaned on the back of my chair, his chin on top of my head. “Don’t listen to her. She’s always been allergic to authority p>
Aleisha flicked a grape at him. It bounced off his shoulder and rolled down the floorboards. “And you’ve always been allergic to shirts, so maybe don’t talk p>
Xavier raised his mug of coffee like a toast. “If this is what breakfast looks like, no wonder no one in this house rests. Too busy throwing food and making smart remarks p>
Noah leaned over to kiss the top of my head, slipping a berry onto my plate. “Better this than silence p>
He wasn’t wrong. The room felt alive, even with everyone bruised, scarred, or stitched from the night before. Alive was enough.
My hand brushed over my bump. Four little heartbeats under my skin. Four futures. Our babies. I glanced at my mates, each of them so different, all of them hovering like I might shatter, and my chest ached with something sharp but sweet. Love, and relief, and the simple luxury of sitting at a breakfast table with everyone breathing. This was what we fought for. Not crowns. Not realms. Not even power. This. Coffee rings on the table. Grapes on the floor. Laughter mixed with the clinking of forks. For a heartbeat, it was almost ordinary. And ordinary had never felt so precious.
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