Chapter 225
[ 1,229 words ]
11:02 am PPP.
Goddess Of The Underworld
Your Highness
Elliot
I waited a few minutes after she left, long enough to give her space, not long enough to pretend I didn’t want to follow.
My hand found the back of my neck, dragging rough my hair as I let out a breath I didn’t realise I’d been holding.
She’d fallen asleep on me.
Then woken up in my bed.
And somehow, I hadn’t completely ruined it.
That had to count for something.
Still, the pull toward her room tugged at me like a thread I couldn’t cut. I told myself it was just to check that she was
okay, but that was a lie even I couldn’t swallow. I pushed off the bed and crossed to the adjoining door, the one that had
connected us since we were kids. It wasn’t locked. It never was. When I stepped through, I froze. Macey stood by her
vanity, fingers brushing over the golden crown like it might bite if she pressed too hard. The rubies caught the light,
glowing faintly against her skin, and for a second, she looked like she’d stepped straight out of a prophecy, something
sacred, dangerous and real.
“Do you like it?” I asked quietly.
She spun, eyes wide, clearly lost in her own thoughts a moment before. “When did you-” she gestured vaguely around the
room, “-do all this p>
I shrugged, stepping further inside. “When you grew up. You just haven’t been here to see it p>
Her eyes drifted over the space again, the deep earthy tones, the massive bed, the soft flicker of candles reflected in the
mirror. I could see the emotions flicker across her face: nostalgia, awe, a little disbelief.
“It’s beautiful,” she said finally, voice hushed. “It’s… perfect, really p>
Something in my chest eased. “Good,” I said with a small smile, shoving my hands into my pockets before I did something
stupid, like tuck that stray piece of hair behind her ear. “You should, uh, find something to wear, have a shower, I’ll go and
start breakfast…Unless you’d rather go back topside, obviously. I can take you whenever you want p>
She didn’t answer right away. Instead, she turned back to the vanity, running her fingertips over a few of the things there:
a perfume bottle, a jewellery stand, and the edge of the mirror. Her reflection was soft, almost vulnerable in the low light.
Then, without looking at me, she said quietly, “Breakfast here sounds nice p>
7/4
11:02 am PPP
Your Highness
My hips twitched. “Yeah p>
She nodded, just barely. For some reason, that simple little sentence hit harder than it should’ve.
“Alright then,” I said softly, stepping back toward the door. “I’ll get the kitchen started. Try not to get lost in all your new
royal décor, Your Highness p>
That earned me the smallest laugh, the one that always pulled at something deep inside me. And as I slipped out of the
room, I caught one last look at her reflection in the mirror, standing there with the crown glinting softly beside her. She
looked every bit the princess this realm had been waiting for.
By the time Macey wandered down to the kitchen, hair still damp from her shower and wearing one of her soft knit tops, I
already had the table set. Two plates, coffee brewing, and a few of those Underworld pastries that looked sinful but tasted
like heaven.
She paused at the doorway, blinking like she still wasn’t used to the quiet warmth of this place. “You cook now p>
I shrugged, buttering toast. “Don’t sound so shocked. Hell’s gotta run somehow. Besides, it’s mostly magic, doesn’t burn
the eggs as much as I used to p>
That earned me the tiniest grin as she sat opposite me. We ate in comfortable silence for a while, the kind that used to fill
entire mornings when we were kids. She finished her coffee with a contented sigh that almost made me laugh.
“So,” I said, watching her push her empty plate away, “ready to go face the firing squad p>
She groaned. “You mean my parents p>
“Same thing p>
I snapped my fingers, and the kitchen faded into the shimmer of a portal. We stepped through and landed back topside, right into the packhouse kitchen. The air here always felt lighter, sharpex More alive. Mum and all four of my dads were
there, apparently in mid-conversation because everyone of them stopped when they saw us.
Mum crossed her arms, trying to look stern and not entirely pulling it off. “So,” she said, “how was grunt work in Hell p>
Macey straightened a little. “Actually… it wasn’t that bad. I kind of had fun p>
I couldn’t help it, the corner of my mouth twitched. “She did really well,” I said, and meant it.
Haiden arched an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair. “That so? Well then, you won’t mind spending the rest of the week
there, right p>
Macey’s head snapped toward him, eyes widening. “Wait, what? The rest of the week p>
2/4
11:02 am PPP.
Your Highness-
“What about school?” she added quickly, looking to Xavier for mercy.
Xavier, of course, was already grinning. “Obviously, after school. Elliot can drop you off and pick you up. That sound good,
son p>
I met his gaze and nodded without hesitation. “Of course p>
Macey turned to look at me like I’d just betrayed her. bit back a laugh. “Hey,” I said under my breath, “you said you had
fun p>
Her glare promised future violence. “Yeah, I also said I was grounded, not banished p>
Levi chuckled into his mug, Noah smirked, and Mum rolled her eyes at the lpt of us. “Well, sounds like everyone’s in agreement,” she said sweetly. “Welcome to your week in Hell, Macey p>
Macey groaned again, muttering that our family was so dramatic. And me? I just tried not to smile too much. Because Hell
didn’t sound half bad if it meant she was going to be there with me. Maybe I should convince her to rebel more often p>
“So,” I said, smirking a little, “ready to get back to work then p>
She groaned, dragging a hand down her face. “Can I at least check my phone first p>
“By all means,” I said, gesturing grandly. “Wouldn’t want to interrupt whatever sacred ritual that is p>
She rolled her eyes but still dug the device out of her back pocket. The screen lit up, and her expression changed instantly,
brows pulling together, lips pressing into a pouty little frown that made me curious despite myself.
I tilted my head, trying to sneak a peek. “What’s got you so annoyed p>
She sighed, thumb scrolling rapidly. “I missed a party last night p>
I blinked, waiting for the punchline. It didn’t come.
“That’s it?” I asked finally. “That’s what’s got you acting like someone ran over your puppy p>
Her glare was sharp enough to cut. “It was the party, Elliot. Everyone went. Tessa, the quads’ friends, everyone. Dean was
even there p>
Ah. Dean. Of course.
I rolled my eyes and pushed off the counter. “So you’re annoyed you missed an opportunity to poison your body and make
more poor decisions? Right. Definitely a tragedy p>
Her jaw dropped, incredulous. “You are impossible p>
3/4
11:03 am P P P
Your Highness
“Thank you,” I said cheerfully.
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11:03 am
Goddess Of The Underworld
Juliet Zvayi
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