“Roc?” Halo called, though his gaze remained glued on Ophelia.
“I have it,” the Commander shouted, lifting a dagger. The dagger. The Bloodmor. Metal and jewels glinted in sunlight. “I’m told you have only to press the hilt against the brand and say her name to change her back.” He tossed the weapon, the tip soaring straight for Halo, who caught it by the blade.
Blood dripped from his hand, satisfaction radiating from him. “Elia,” he said, crooking his finger as she jerked to attention. “Come. Sit.”
He was treating her like a dog. And yet, she was so eager to obey him. Ophelia bounded over and sniffed him. Familiar. Mmm. Delicious. And his heat. That was nice. She settled in beside him.
He petted her, each stroke adding fuel to the heat, warming her inside and out. And oh, wow. The heat was better than ever. She leaned into his touch.
“We have the Bloodmor now, and we will protect it as we see fit. No one will use the blade against you ever again.” He tapped the hilt against her chest, saying, “Ophelia the Sweetheart.”
In seconds, bones shrank, and hide receded, welcoming flesh. Of course, when the transformation completed, she was 100 percent naked for all to see. Or she would have been, if his body hadn’t shielded her. He never stopped petting her, and the heat never stopped spreading.
“I’ve always loved Lady O and now I know why!” someone called.
Cheers broke out. She thought she heard Vivian’s voice rise above the others. “That’s my best friend! Did you see her? Did you see my best friend beast out? I’m her favorite, never forget.”
Ian shouted, “Where might I find a nymph of my own?”
Halo growled, all hint of frost gone as a sheet appeared in his hand. He wrapped the material around Ophelia from shoulder to ankle, then pulled her onto his lap.
She burrowed into his powerful, bloodstained body. He’s marked by me in every way.
Wait. What was that on her sweat-glistened wrist? She gasped. “Halo! I have stars.” The stars of a General. “Four out of ten. I sacrificed something I dearly loved and oversaw a victorious military campaign. Let’s face it, I was totally the brains of this operation. I convinced the reigning General to do something she didn’t want to do. Finally, I won a battle with my wits alone—against you.”
“I’m proud of you, sweetheart. And I’m so sorry for how I treated you these past six days. Today especially. I swear to you, Elia, I will never treat you in such a way again. I feared I couldn’t leave you without going cold.”
“I know, darling.” She petted his chest. “But you’re right. You won’t ever do that again. If you do, I’m gone.”
“There is no worse punishment,” he told her with a shudder.
“In that case, you’re already forgiven. I mean, how can I doubt your affections for me? You have died for—Halo!” She straightened with a snap, studying her arms. “I’m not glistening with sweat, I’m glittering. You stardusted me? Even though I beasted-out all over you?”
His lips twitched. “I did. And you wear it well. Now to settle official business so that we can move on to our make-up sex.” He cast his attention to the dais, shouting, “Well? The trumpet sounded, but you are the final judge. Render your verdict.”
Chaos spread his arms. “The twelfth round has ended with your victory through Ophelia, as well as your loss as Erebus’s champion. Technically, you should not be allowed to revive. But because you are also the winner, you shouldn’t be punished. A loophole.”
The final battle was over then, with Halo the official victor. The Astra would continue on, another step closer to ascension. As Chaos had said, Erebus would return soon. Stronger even. Here, now, Ophelia didn’t exactly care. Bring it. She and her consort-entwine had survived, and a bright future awaited them.
Halo climbed to his feet and lifted her arm in triumph. “To the Sweetheart.”
The crowd erupted into cheers, and she preened. She also blushed.
“I cannot get over the sight of you in my stardust,” Halo said, kissing her knuckles. “I plan to mark every inch of you in stardust.”
“I’ll never be without it again.” A vow of her own. “Maybe we should have named me the Glitter Bomb.”
He laughed, pleased beyond measure with her. Every Astra in the stands quieted, causing the harpies to go quiet too. Silence stretched, and Halo gazed here and there. “What’s happening?”
“You laughed. Out loud,” Ophelia explained. “That isn’t something they remember you ever doing. To them, you were the same emotionless robot as usual just yesterday. Now, I’m a fierce, all-powerful miracle worker who amused the Machine in less than twenty-four hours.”
The Astra flashed around them, staring down at Halo, still shell-shocked.
“What was that awful sound?” Silver demanded.
“Do I sense...enjoyment?” Roux asked, as if suddenly presented with the world’s greatest mystery.