FREYJA

  Lilith walked through the grand halls of the castle, her sharp eyes sing the familiar stone walls now enhanced with modern upgrades—electricity buzzed softly in the sces, and security cameras monitored every corridor. A sense of nostalgia mixed with approval settled over her. It was good to see the pce had evolved.

  She had been summoned by Jane and her brother, Alec—two individuals she hadn’t seen in quite some time, just like her mate. But that was about to ge. Something deep iold her that the wheels of fate had already bee in motion, a sinister plot brewing against her and Isabel. She didn’t know the details yet, but ohing was certain—whoever was responsible wouldn’t get away with it.

  The t double doors ahead suddenly swung open, revealing the grand throne room. Iood four throhree of them occupied by the reigning queens, while the fourth remained vat, waiting for her.

  "Lilith!" a voice rang out, filled with warmth aement.

  Didyme, radiant and regal, desded from her throh inhuman speed, closing the distaween them in an instant. Before Lilith could react, she was ed in a tight embrace, the st of roses and steel filling her senses. Didyme then pulled back just enough to meet Lilith’s gaze, her golden eyes gleaming with emotion, before pressing a passionate kiss to her lips.

  Didyme was no ordinary vampire. In fact, she was no vampire at all. She is Freyja the Goddess of love, beauty, and war, a truth known only to a select few. She also led the Valkyries—five hundred, and fifty warriors sworn to her alone.

  When their kiss finally broke, Didyme smiled at Lilith, her fingers lingering on her cheek.

  "I missed you," she murmured.

  Lilith returned a soft smile. "I missed you too."

  "Aww, isn’t that just the sweetest thing?" Sulpicia teased, turning to her mate, Athenodora, who arched an eyebrow.

  "I think they should just get a room," Athenodora replied dryly, her tone serious but ced with amusement.

  Lilith smirked, gng at the queens still seated ohrones. "You’re just jealous."

  "Not jealous," Athenodora corrected, waving a dismissive hand. "Just sick of witnessing this level of sweetness so early in the m."

  "It’s the afternoon," Didyme pointed out with a knowing smile.

  "It’s still too early," Athenodora quipped.

  Lilith chuckled. Despite Didyme being the true founder of the Volturi, things had spiraled out of trol uhe former kings, who had been more obsessed with power than actual goverhey had ed their duties, growing pt. So, Didyme had taken matters into her own hands, overthrowing them with little resistaheir subjects had despised them, after all. Had they ruled wisely, they might have still been alive.

  Sulpicia, Athenodora, and Didyme had fought together in that war, and through battle, their bond had strengthened. Now, they ruled together as trusted friends and sisters in arms.

  Lilith reached for Didyme’s hands, squeezing them gently as her expression turned serious. "We o talk."

  Didyme’s brows furrowed. "Is Isabel okay?"

  "She’s fine, my love, don’t worry," Lilith assured her, exhaling slowly. "But first, I o tell you something—I told Isabel about you, and she wants to meet you."

  Didyme’s face lit up with joy. "Really? When we meet?"

  "As soon as possible."

  "The’s go." Without hesitation, Didyme grasped Lilith’s hand tightly and started pullioward the door.

  "Wait, my love. There’s more you o know."

  Didyme stopped a flicker of impatien her golden eyes. " it wait until after I see my daughter? I haven’t seen her since she was four years old."

  Lilith pced a hand on her cheek. "Please, just hear me out."

  Didyme sighed. "Alright. What is it?"

  "Andell," Lilith said, her voice darkening. "My son is plotting to kill Isabel."

  Didyme stiffened, her entire demeanor shifting into one of trolled fury. "What?" she hissed. "Then why are you here and not there, stopping him?"

  "Because he won’t succeed," Lilith said fidently. "The real threat is Victor. I haven’t seen him in a week, and that worries me. I believe he’s plotting against you."

  Didyme’s expression hardened. "He won’t succeed. I am also the goddess of war."

  "I know," Lilith said, her grip tightening. "But what if he’s found a way?

  "We made a deal with him—you stay in Hell, and he allows you to visit me. A deal I’ve always thought was unfair. Just because you were with him first a a hundred years ter doesn’t meas to dictate our lives. You are my true mate, not his. And it’s time we put ao this foolishness." Didyme said in anger. "I only agree with his terms because I didn't want another war."

  Didyme’s eyes softened as she touched Lilith’s cheek. "Will you fight with me? For our freedom to be together?"

  "Of course, I will," Lilith vowed.

  "And we will fight with you," Athenodora said, standing and iwining her fingers with Sulpicia’s.

  Lilith blinked in surprise—she had momentarily fotten they were in the room. "Are you sure about this?" she asked. "Demons are far more ruthless than vampires in battle."

  "We are sure," Sulpicia firmed.

  "You’ve been training us for thousands of years," Athenodora added with vi. "We hahem."

  Didyme smiled gratefully. "Thank you, my friends." She then turo Lilith. "Bring Isabel here. It’s time she knows the truth."

  "Yes, of course. And you should know—she has found her mate."

  A genuine smile spread across Didyme’s face. "That is wonderful news. Bring them both."

  Lilith hen smirked. "But first, let’s go to our chambers."

  Before Didyme could respond, Lilith grabbed her wrist and dragged her toward the exit, leaving Sulpicia and Athenodora chug behind them.

  She hadn’t seen her mate in weeks—she inteo make the most of their time before the chaos started.

  AUTHOR'S NOTE:

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