I stalked toward a large golden door. Carved on it was a paradise scene where beautiful beings enjoyed a picnic under the stars. It was exquisite and detailed, but in my current mood, I didn’t care for art.
I raised my dirty boot and kicked the door as hard as I could. The door swung open and I charged in, in my hand a machete I’d stolen on the way here.
I squinted at what I saw.
No mates. No looming danger in sight. Just an opulent sitting room with a plush sofa, two dragon chairs across from it, and a round hardwood table over a million-dollar floral rug between them. An elegant tea set waited on the rare wood table, steam still rising from one of the antique cups.
The scent of rose and rain and fire permeated the air.
On the four glass walls, a different scenario played—a live show of the ongoing worlds. On one wall, stars wheeled in deep space as ships sailed through the unknown galaxies. Another displayed a primitive planet where a gang of alien beings hunted animals in untamed woods. The third wall looked like a movie of medieval times, overdressed nobility dancing in a king’s court.
This was a spyglass room.
Lilith arose from the handcrafted dragon chair and faced me. She wore an exquisite blue gown that hugged her gorgeous shape and spilled half of her perky breasts, exactly like the dress I’d shown to Lucifer in my illusion. A crown of stars, diamonds, and power sat on her silvery head. Her hair billowed in waves even though there was no breeze in the room.
Mom was humoring me.
“Mom?” I called, already forgetting to challenge her.
“Belle,” she answered in a dark, lovely voice, her silver eyes radiating delight and amusement. “Are you going to stab your own mother?”
“Uh? No. Why?” I asked dumbly, then I noticed the machete in my hand. I tossed it onto the sofa and turned attention back to my mother. “You can call me Marigold,” I said, feeling a bit awkward. Who wouldn’t when meeting their mother in the flesh after twenty-one years? “People call me all sorts of names. It’s getting confusing.”
“Look at you, my little one.” She smiled, which made her seem less predatory. “You’ve grown up. Come sit by me.”
She gestured for me to take the chair across from her. I crossed the room and sank into it, my hand rubbing my lower back to ease the tension, considering what I’d escaped from and that my mates were now all missing.
“Mom, are my mates all here?” I asked.
“Yes,” she said, regarding me with a motherly look that made me warm, shy, and nervous all at the same time. As an archangel and former Queen of Hell, she didn’t look one day older than me, except for her eyes. They glittered with the wisdom of someone ancient and brutal.
“Then shouldn’t you bring them here to join me?” I asked, picking up the teacup in front of me. I drained the cup and set it back on the saucer on the table. “They could use some refreshment, too.”
“You’ll see them soon, little one,” she said with an indulgent smile. “Don’t you want to spend some alone time with your mother first?”
“Yeah, of course. I just want to make sure my mates are safe.”
“They’re well taken care of. You’ll see.” Mom laughed. “They’re the demigods who lead men to wars. I wouldn’t worry about them. On the contrary, I should be concerned about my subjects being in danger in their hands.”
I swallowed, pondering if I should inform Mom that one of my mates was now a mortal and any wounds could be fatal. I decided she didn’t need to know, and the talk of danger reminded me of my immortal enemies.
“Lucifer and Ares are here somewhere,” I warned.
“Don’t mind them,” Mom said with a lighthearted smile. “They were delivered to the City of Wails and Bones after they escaped the monsters’ region. No one can come to the Realm of the Ivory Tower without my invitation.”
“But I thought you’d want to get revenge for Lucifer’s betrayal,” I said eagerly. “And since he’s in your realm now, you can rain down your wrath on his ass. You can take him down, Mom.”
Lilith let out a peal of laughter, her silver horns shivering. “That happened eons ago, child. I got over it. The past is like old clothes that you don’t want to wear again. I won’t give Lucifer a moment of my time. If I see him again in another place, I’ll gladly stab a dagger in his eye, but I don’t want him here to pollute the air in my realm, not even for revenge. And you already did a number on him.” She tossed my wild hair. “Good girl.”
“I still have a score to settle with him and Ares,” I said.
Lilith sipped her tea and smiled at me. “Then you can settle with them later if they manage to escape the City of Wails and Bones, one of the worst places to visit.”
“Excellent,” I said. As I peeked into the empty teacup to remind Mom that it needed a refill, I found the cup was brimmed with liquid of golden brown color. “Thanks, Mom. This is good tea. Soon I want my mates to taste it, too.”
It was full of exquisite flavor.
“I’d dreamt to see you in here, like this, for a long time,” Mom said.