And Then There Were Four (Lilith Carrie)

Chapter 218: Four Ruling for Eternity

Cassie.

I wasn't sure what to expect when it came to the games being over, but one thing was for sure, my grandfather didn't disappoint when it came to a coronation party. Stepping into the grand hall, I was greeted by the aroma of freshly cooked meats, breads, and the lingering smell of flowers. It was by far the most elegant event that I had ever seen, which was saying a lot considering the parties here never seemed to end.

"Welcome, all!" Odin's voice echoed through the grand hall with a force that caused everyone to turn their eyes to where we were. Odin stood on his feet with his throne behind him, me at his left, sitting, waiting for my future husband to arrive.

Nervousness filled my body at the thought I was going to be married or mated, as some would say. In my mind, I was too young, still searching for fun and adventure. Although, on the other hand, I also knew that fun and adventure weren't a luxury I was allowed to have. Scanning the crowds in front of me, my eyes connected with that of Solina, and I saw the hatred she bore for me. She was pissed, and after what I heard the servants whispering about, I'm not surprised. They said that his body was body beaten with a blade having gone through it. On top of that, the creatures of the forest quickly ate him.

Not really a service you would have for a dying celestial, though I didn't understand how he died. He was a celestial, just like me, and it shouldn't have been possible.

Something that I was going to have to ask Silas about later.

"As you all know, the past few weeks have been trying. Many of the men who competed did their best, but in the end, only one person could win it all..."

The crowds in the grand hall cheered again before slowly parting to make way for the victor. A victor that I was pleased to see. Finn had changed and now stood there at the end of the hall, slowly making his way towards me, dressed in his royal attire of blues, purples, and gold. His hair was perfectly pulled back and tied at the nape of his neck with a blue ribbon as his celestial eyes stared deeply into mine.

He was a man on a mission, and the fact he was making his way towards me was enough to make my thighs press together with an anticipation of what he had in store for me later.

"Thank you, Odin. It's a great honor to have won the games, and also to take your granddaughter as my fated," Finn replied loudly, with nothing but confidence in his tone.

"Please, Finnick, come up here and take your place next to your betrothed."

Odin gestured to the empty throne next to me, and Finn didn't hesitate to take a step forward. However, instead of proceeding, I watched him glance at me with a twinkle of what seemed to be mischievousness in his eyes before he stopped once more. "Odin, if I may... can I ask you something first?" Finn asked, in a very political manner.

My eyes quickly cast towards Odin, who stood there in silence with a confused expression on his face before he nodded. "Of course, you are the winner and therefore you can ask anything."

"Wonderful," Finn replied, continuing his steps until he was upon the throne's perch, turning towards my grandfather and the crowd. "As the winner of the games, I would like to request a change in circumstances."

Gasps echoed through the hall as I saw in silence. I was beyond confused, and for a moment, I turned to Damian, who stood just below me on the hall floor, staring at Finn with a smile on his face. Something was definitely going on, but I wasn't entirely sure what it was. "A change in circumstance?" Odin repeated, more to himself than anyone else. "Well, by our laws, you are the winner, so in this situation you can do as you please. What are these changes that you want to make?"

"Well, as you know, I am the prince of my realm. I can't rule two kingdoms, therefore I would like to have someone who stands in my place here and at Cassie's side."

""You can't do that!"

"This is an outrage! Why did you compete!"

The comments thrown towards Finn kept coming from the crowd, but not once did Finn back down from his decision. Instead, he stared at Odin with an indifferent look that showed this wasn't something he was backing down from. "Silence!" Odin finally yelled, quieting the crowd. "As the winner by our laws, Prince Finnick is allowed to make any requests that he wants. Now... who is it that you want to stand in your place?"

Moving slowly to the edge of my seat, I was ready to hear what he had to say. I too wanted to know exactly who he was putting in his place because, as far as I was aware, there were only two people that I would accept. Two who no one would ever allow. "Prince Silas, the true heir to Draconia, will sit at her side on the throne. Lucas... the scored Lycan, will head the royal guard, and as for me, well, I will act as ambassador, which will allow me to come and go, taking Cassie as I please while also ruling my realm." The roar of angry protests that erupted in the grand hall was unlike anything I had ever seen before. Both those who resided in Asgard and a few Demi gods were pissed beyond belief that Finn had actually suggested this. Not only that, it seemed that Odin was actually considering it.

Though as he turned to look at Silas, I could see he wasn't at all surprised.

"Is this what you want, Silas? Do you want to sit at her side and rule Asgard?"

Silas didn't bother to even glance in my direction as he squared his shoulders and nodded. "I will, if it is what Cassie wants."

"Even if we accept Silas, there is no way the Lycan who killed her should be allowed to protect our realm!" This time it was Solina who spoke up. The anger over her brother's death wasn't the only rage I watched linger in her eyes.

She was pissed, just like so many others, and for a moment, I wondered if Lucas-who stood by quietly-would even be allowed after the treason he had committed.

"This is true..." Odin replied softly as he turned towards me. "He knows nothing of how the realm works, Cassie. Are you really sure you trust him to take on this role after what he did to you?"

All eyes turned to me as I glanced from Finn to Silas to Lucas. My heart already gave me my answer, but at the same time, I couldn't deny the reality that he wasn't ready for the position. He was far from ready to have those responsibilities. Just as I was far from ready to rule. Although deep in my heart, I knew that he would. "Yes, I trust him. I believe that with the right teacher, he would benefit from this realm greatly. And I know that he will protect me with his life."

My confession seemed to silence the angry protests as Odin glanced from me to Lucas. There was truth behind Lucas needing training, and my grandfather seemed to be deep in thought over this. He had given Finn his word that whatever changes Finn wanted to make, he could.

"Who here will train Lucas for this role?" he finally asked, and just as I expected, the room was silent. That was until the one person I never expected to accept him did.

"I will," Damian announced. "Regardless of what he has done, I will train him, and if I can forgive him for his past discretions, then I expect everyone else here to do the same."

"You would really take this on, Damian?" Odin asked. "What changed your mind from our conversation the other day?"

I had no clue what Odin was talking about, and neither did Finn nor Silas, who both looked at each other, confused. Needless though, my father smiled at Odin before turning his eyes to me.

"I was given another chance by my daughter to do right in my life. She was the reason that Ivy and my brothers were able to bring me back. Her powers that were gifted from you are enough to change the world as we know it, and now, being here, I am able to be the man I was always meant to be and help to create a home for my family, and your daughter, when they arrive."

Odin slowly took steps down the staircase towards my father with a smile on his face before placing his hand upon his shoulder. "I'm proud of you, son. If anyone can teach Lucas to be the man he was always meant to be, I know it's you."

It was those words that brought tears to my eyes as I watched him then turn to Lucas, who was standing near my father, and pull him into a hug. My father knew what it was like to be outcasted. To feel as if he wasn't worthy of love or anything else, and he wasn't going to let Lucas fall into the same mistakes he made.

He was going to help Lucas be the man he was always meant to be, and because of that, Lucas would forever be at my side as well.

Wiping the tears from my eyes, I watched Odin gesture for Lucas to take his place upon the stage with Finn and Silas. He was hesitant at first, but after a moment, he made his way towards me with confidence in his aura, with a confidence I hadn't seen since before the situation with Inanna had occurred.

"Silas, Finn, and Lucas... Do you three promise to protect this realm together?"

"Yes," they replied.

"Do you plan to stand by Cassie as her mates for all eternity?" My heart felt as if it was going to leap out of my chest at Odin's words, but sitting quietly, I waited for their reply. "Yes," they said in unison.

"Then let it be known that Prince Silas will take the throne beside Cassie in Asgard, Prince Finnick, the Royal Ambassador and future king of his realm, and Lucas Vega... the head of the Royal Guard. No one within my realm will stand against this, and those who try to will be condemned for treason."

Odin's words were law and one by one, I watched those within the grand hall kneel before the four of us. Silas, Finn, and Lucas rose to their feet before the three of them turned towards me. It was my chance now to stand beside them in acceptance and while I was nervous as hell, I couldn't imagine this any other way.

I had fought for so long to prove my love to Silas and Lucas. I imagined time and time again that they were playing with me or hated me, and in reality, it was the farthest from the truth. All three of them had planned for this to happen, and by the time I made my way towards them, I realized just honestly how much I was truly loved.

Fate didn't mean for me to have only one mate. It would take three men standing at my side for me to accomplish who I was meant to be. Something that now no longer scared me.

With Silas, Finn, and Lucas at my side-I felt invincible.