Hours later, the Shadow found themselves on a mutual break and decided it was time to clear the air. So Tumu, Lucas, and Silence took the stage while the rest piled back into their seats in the front row. Except Pablo, because he went home to check on Lynn. And no one could find Matt and Lucy. Given their history at public events, it was probably for the best.

Lamassau looked lonely sitting beside Twenty-One, while Miy sat in her Icarus’ lap. Even though the space-bound couple kept their voices down, everyone could overhear them planning for an after party with Yito and Puk.

Pehton and Caedes slouched in their seats, ragged out like the rest of them, but also adorably holding hands.

Korac nestled Echo’s bassinet basket in between him and Sagan, looking ready for some cozy family time.

As did Tameka, Pax, and Xelan.

With Celindria gone, Aria and Torch grew more lax around their leaders and actually took a seat beside them.

Progress.

And it provided more of a buffer between Rayne and Nox. The massive Icarus didn’t look half bad for a guy who’d died a few hours ago.

Kyle pouted beside Andrew.

One seat down from them was the original Progeny—Devis, T.a.o., and Andrius. They looked relaxed for the first time in Andrew’s recollection. There was an easiness about them, like they could finally breathe without fear or sorrow. What did the future hold for them?

Further down the row, Jack and Ross tried to distract Bethany from looking for Matt and Lucy. She didn’t seem concerned, more curious. Again, it was probably for the best no one could find them.

Chris and Karter glowed while Para and Bones were ready to celebrate. Here or at home didn’t seem to matter.

Both Andrew and Kyle looked unhappy that their dates were up on the stage instead of down here in the seats for some quality time. But this was important, so Andrew kept his complaints to himself.

Kyle did not. “Come on. I can’t handle an exposition dump right now. Can’t Tumu write a Verse or something? One I don’t have to sit through the making of.”

Silence gave Kyle ‘the look.’

Andrew shook his head as his unrelated brother grinned back at her.

From the end of the row, Lamassau said, “That’s not a bad idea. What do you think, Tumi?”

Tumu smiled with his lipless Tritan mouth. “I do like to keep an air of mystery, but I will share one thing.” He peered down at Xelan. “I put your nacre in the resurrection casket under Gait’s prison.”

“I knew it!”

Andrew looked down the row at Pehton, who pointed accusingly at Tumu. “Only Primary blood could allow access to the basement, and you’re the only Primary who wanted Xelan back.”

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Xelan’s grin transformed into a puzzled frown. He glanced over at Nox, sitting straight and behaving himself beside Rayne. Xelan asked, “How did you get my birth nacre, Tumu?”

Oh, yeah. Andrew recalled from Nox’s Verse that the older brother had kept it and tried to force it on Rayne—Again, something Andrew saw no point in examining.

No one else seemed keen on mentioning it, either.

“It was me.”

Between Pehton and Sagan, Korac spoke up. “I took it after Nox… After the night Rayne came to the fortress.” He met Nox’s eyes down the row. “You were so angry that night, I thought you’d destroy it. So I took it. When you ordered me to leave your Verse in the stronghold for Rayne, I left Xelan’s birth nacre with it.”

Lucas said, “From there, I took it and left the Verse. Sorry, Rayne. I let you find his nacre in several Probabilities, but in each one, you swallowed it without Elden there to keep yours from absorbing it.”

Rayne smiled. “It sounds like something I would do.”

Nox beamed at her, and Andrew found the exchange between them comfortable and warm. Like Nox and Rayne had been ina relationship longer than the Shadow had given them credit for.

“What about Smith?” Jack asked, peering up at Tumu.

Silence answered this one. “He and Elden are guarding Oblivion.”

Andrew glanced at Kyle, who stopped grinning. What was it like being chosen over a god? Coming between an immortal relationship?

Chris asked, “Who was Smith to you?”

Lucas shifted a little uncomfortably and glanced at Andrew before admitting, “Smith was my son.”

Oh.

Kyle slapped Andrew on the back as he said, “Congrats, stepdad.”

Tameka’s voice held an edge of accusation. “Did the mother survive?”

Lucas shook his head.

Karter asked, “Did she know the risk?”

“Yes.”

The terse answers and the softness in how Lucas said them made Andrew stand up. He climbed onto the stage and approached his lover. Their audience watched as Andrew hugged Lucas and murmured, “You don’t have to answer anymore questions if you don’t want to. I know your life wasn’t easy.”

Lucas chuckled deep in his chest, and it felt good. “I love that you came up here to rescue me.”

“I have one more question for him.” Pehton stood to take the floor, and the group peered at her. “Why is every Aegis such a fashion victim?”

Lucas and Korac barked out a laugh at the same time, and it sounded eerily similar. It also made Andrew grin at his boyfriend.

Rayne asked, “What about Thailea?”

Kyle clicked his tongue in disdain.

Oh.

The treeloft. Night Rayne love nest.

And Andrew hadn’t thought of it, but maybe Lucas would want to move the Zeppelin there. The last Aegis smiled at the young woman. “Would you like to guard it for me for a little while?”

Rayne beamed. “I’d be honored.”

What about Nox?

As soon as the Icarus entered Andrew’s mind, Rayne’s face fell, and she looked over at Xelan. The question went unspoken between them.

Xelan met Nox’s eyes and everyone but Kyle, held their breath. Into the stillness, Xelan said, “It’s not up to me alone.”

Beside Andrew, Kyle muttered, “Damn right.”

When Rayne looked away, Tameka put a hand on Xelan’s shoulder. “He’s right. There’s a process out of fairness.” She nodded at Jack, Iuo, and Tumu. “And the King Elects deserve a say.”

“We do.”

The group whirled to find F8, Kombuchi, Legir, X, 2Lip, Tempest, and Dolor waiting at the top tiers of the amphitheater.

This looked heavy. Andrew was impressed as hell when Nox stood to face his judgment. Rayne took his hand and went with him. Korac waited for Xelan to follow, and they went together with their mates. Silence joined them—It was a whole Shadow affair, and it could go on without Andrew.

Lucas and Andrew were left alone on the stage. The latter said, “I have a question.”

“Oh, do you now?”

Andrew smirked and pecked his lover a kiss, which deepened at Lucas’ insistence. It took a powerful force of will for Andrew to break it and ask, “What about this?” He brought his coin out of his pocket.

Lucas stared at it a long time until he said, “I spent an Eternity mastering outcomes and predicting the future. It’s hard to believe it’s finally over.” He looked up into Andrew’s eyes. “It’s all surprises from here.”

Andrew quirked a brow. “Do you think you can handle it?”

“Why don’t you flip the coin and find out?”

Andrew flipped the coin into the air, high enough to make it sing. Then he took Lucas’ hand and walked away. Together, they returned to their family to watch the outcome of this soap opera with no idea of how it would end.

Behind them, the coin landed, but no one was around to see it.