A portal opened in the elevated section where the gods sat and Aiden stepped through.
Laela, who had been watching the arena floor with Tristan in her arms, turned her head at the disturbance. Her eyes went wide.
"Aiden!"
Arianna looked up from where she sat with Andrea and gasped. "You're back!"
Uriel, seated beside them, exhaled in visible relief. She had been holding tension in her shoulders for a while now.
Aiden walked over and sat down beside them with a rather calm expression calm.
Laela leaned toward him and spoke in a quiet and urgent voice. "Are you alright? Did you find—"
"Later," Aiden said gently. He reached over and placed a hand on hers. "I'll explain everything later."
She nodded, though the concern didn't leave her face.
Arianna shifted Andrea in her arms and said, "You came back just in time. The final battle is about to start."
Aiden's gaze drifted toward the arena floor. "Good."
Below, the gates were opening.
