I rear back and my jaw drops. "What? How do you know that?"

"Three reasons. One, Cannon may have been up to no good, but he was diligent about it. He was 'dealing with business' just as much if not more than being with us. Two, why would something as important as the ins and outs of your rivals be taught only one day and never reiterated? Three, I have a strange fucking feeling. A nagging deep in my gut that Cannon is telling the truth."

"But what reason does Angelo have to lie? He is the ruler of an entire realm, the long reigning king of angels. To stand before Dex and concoct lies like this could lead to the end of his son."

Jace shifts side to side and his eyes lock onto Angelo. He goes so silent watching the scene unfold that I question whether he is even breathing. It is like he is the lightning pole in the middle of this storm waiting for the blow that sets this all alight.

Finally, he whispers to me, "Is Cannon Angelo's only child?"

I nod. "Yes."

Jace's jaw ticks. "That's what he wants. The end of his line. Then who could rule in his place?"

My breath catches. Angelo has never wanted to give up power and has ruled Pax as long as anyone can remember when Infernis has gone through a reasonable amount of rulers in the same time span. Father has always said Angelo is power hungry. I just never imagined he'd kill his own son to cling to it.

"Fuck. You're right. We have to stop this."

Jace nods and steps forward. "What a shame that your only child committed such a breach of trust and put our entire realm at risk. The imbalance he would have caused to the humans is unfathomable."

My emotions rip in two. Jace is claiming my realm as his own, but he is doing little to prove Cannon's innocence. If he isn't careful, Dex will have our friend thrust into the In Between, and Angelo will get what he wants.

Angelo shrugs. "Kids. You did the best you can to raise them right, but they seem to always disappoint you."

Jace clenches his jaw so tight his lips pucker. "I completely understand. Kids are such a burden. Now, you will have to rule Pax for eternity."

Dex crosses her hands on her desk and sits forward. Something tells me she is waiting to see Angelo's reaction. And rightfully so. If my father was in Angelo's place, I know he would be fighting to save us. He would go as far as to take the blame and suffer the consequences if it meant sparing us pain. Angelo doesn't strike me as the type to do the same.

"I will do what I must do for my realm. My first responsibility is to the angels I rule."

Dex turns her attention to Jace. "Who do you believe is the guilty party, Mr. Wilder?"

I am stunned into silence. Dex asking Jace for his opinion on the situation is...odd to say the least. He's a human who has barely been Infernis for more than a few hours, and she's asking him for his opinion on a crime that is certain to end in a death sentence.

But Jace doesn't appear taken aback or scared. He looks strong, certain, and... kingly, if that's even a word. My chest is warm, and my body erupts into tingles when he speaks in a loud, clear voice.

"Angelo. He's lying about Cannon learning what happens when an angel or demon goes to another realm. I don't know how I know that, but I do."

The angel king scoffs. "So says a human. They can't figure out what is best for them without our intervention. I'd hardly put value behind his opinion, Dex."

"You're really freaking out about my opinion for a being who cares so little for it. I take it that you don't like the idea of your son taking over your precious rule. You want Dex to kill him off so you can rule forever. Don't you, Angelo?"

Without so much a warning, Angelo shakes out of his hallucinogenic haze and charges for Jace. He slams his shoulder into Jace's center, knocking them both from their feet. They skid across the polished floor toward the gaping hole in the middle. Their bodies stop just short of toppling over the side, Jace's head hanging from the edge. Angelo straddles Jace with his hands around his neck, shaking him as his grip tightens. The movement causes Jace's glasses to slip from his face and vanish into the void.

I rush forward with my father and brothers, but Angelo stops us with his snarled words.

"Touch me and we will both find our final rest in the In Between. I hear it is pure torment for a human energy—the silence, the darkness, the disconnect from all other beings. Don't make that his fate."

I continue forward but then Grub and Mandis are on either side of me, and both hang onto each of my elbows. "Don't move, Desi. You know he'll do it. This is a desperate angel we're dealing with."

Rage bubbles inside me and hot tears brim my eyes. "We have to stop him." The idea of losing Jace again, and to the In-Between no less, makes my entire body quake with anxiety.

My heart is pounding against my ribcage and Angelo is so close to me that I could shove him over myself. But it's too risky. His grip is firm on Jace, and he would end up going with him, and I would never forgive myself.

"Desideria, stay back. Please," Jace chokes out.

Angelo turns toward me. "You heard your king," he says, the last word dripping with sarcasm. "Don't put yourself in this, sweetheart. You'll be sorry."

Cannon moves in beside me and rubs his shoulder to mine. He quietly says, "It will be alright. My father doesn't want to give up his crown. Let the Dex judge us, Desi. It is the only way to ensure Jace's safety."

I turn toward him and meet his eyes. "What if your father pushes Jace over the edge before she has her say? Look at him; he's lost his mind!"

"Stop this nonsense! This is my courtroom not some damned wrestling ring. Get up. Before I sentence everyone in this room to the In-Between." Dex's command halts all sound, and I breathe a sigh of relief as Angelo's hands loosen on Jace's neck.

Angelo stands, yanking Jace up with him. Neither of them moves far from the edge of the hole, doing little to calm my nerves. I won't be happy until I can hold Jace's hand in mine and know his new immortal life is no longer threatened.

"Never in my existence have a seen such a debacle in my courtroom. And I've dealt with my fair share of archaic rulers. What should have been a good-natured bet between rivals has grown out of control and led to harmful means that put more than one realm in peril today. I should punish the lot of you," Dex says, dragging her judgmental gaze over each of us. 

The telltale crinkle of plastic wrap draws my attention. Grub fumbles with a round chocolate cake, fighting to open it up. I inch closer to him to put a stop to the noise that sounds like a swarm of bees, buzzing around us during this serious moment. We might all be tossed into the In-Between, and his insatiable hunger could be what drives Dex to that call.

The judge carries on chastising us for our behavior. "Cannon, I'm disappointed that you allowed yourself to be made a pawn in this ridiculous bet. You used deceit to wiggle your way in with not only Desideria, but Jace Wilder as well. Angel and demons do not resort to these means. Your calling is to guide humans with truth."

"Grub," I hiss through my teeth.

He glances at me and clutches to his snack for dear life. Taking a step away from me, he continues pulling on the wrapper.

"But I understand your desire to please your father," Dex continues to say. "As an angel under his command, it is your duty to act out his wishes. I believe you meant the demon realm no harm. In the future, I suggest you educate yourself on the realms and what might destroy their perfect balance."

"Yes, your honor," Cannon says, bowing his head.

"Angelo—"

I reach for the chocolate snack cake, and Grub moves to the side, furiously ripping it open. His elbow shoots back, jamming Angelo in the side. The king of angels stumbles and reaches for Jace, but he jumps away from the side of the chasm. Grub turns to the king with wide eyes and holds his cake to his round torso. With flailing arms, Angelo falls into the In-Between.

Mandis and I gape at Grub.

He throws his arms to the side and says, "Sorry, I'm a nervous eater!" He looks over the ledge into the vast pool of nothing and takes a bite of his cake. "That's sort of a tragedy."

If I weren't so scared for Grub's fate, I would laugh. But Dex hadn't dealt her punishment yet, and Grub just quite literally sent Angelo into the void. But I don't have time to think for too long because Jace rushes to me and folds me in his arms, and I tangle myself around him, breathing in his scent and convincing myself that he's really there. "Jace, you're okay," I murmur against his chest.

"I've never felt better. I'll admit, it is strange to be strangled and not feel the overwhelming need to breathe. I'm feeling like a superhero right now."

"Too bad the same can't be said for Grub." I watch as he shoves the entire cake in his mouth, fearful that it will be the last thing he ever eats.

Dex releases a long breath and tosses her hands in the air. "I guess that saves me from another long speech about inappropriate behavior. I was sentencing him to the In-Between anyway." She turns her focus to Cannon. "Congratulations, you're the new ruler of Pax. Please make better decisions than your father and stay away from the drugs."

My jaw unhinges, and everyone's heads snap toward Cannon. "Oh my God, Cannon!" I exclaim. "You—you're king!"

Cannon's eyes widen and a litany of emotions are written all over his face—the sting of betrayal, the grief of losing his father, the shock at Dex's proclamation, relief that we know he was telling the truth, and joy at his dream finally being realized.

"I—thank you, your honor," he says with a bow. "I vow to keep my realm safe, guarded, and to teach them everything they should know about the three realms. I know I have a lot to learn, and I swear I will do just that."

Dex nods once and bangs her gavel. "Very well. Now, go so I can return to binge watching trashy human television and finishing my jewel art of a kitten wrapped in yarn."

"It's time to get back to the palace." My father eyes me and Jace. "There are more decisions to be made."

My stomach turns flips and Jace's grip tightens around my waist. I look up at him and when my eyes meet his, there's nothing but pure love reflected in them.

I can hardly speak over the lump in my throat, but I manage, "One second, I just want to say goodbye to Cannon."

Jace and I meet Cannon outside the courtroom doors. "I don't even know what to say or where to start, but I wanted to thank you." I laugh, tears clogging my voice. "I know that may sound a little batshit, but I want to thank you for showing me friendship. You didn't have to do that."

"I'm sorry I wasn't up front with both of you. I really thought I could work this all out in your favor in the end. It looks like that's the case but not because of me. My intentions may have been questionable, but my friendship was sincere."

Cannon holds out his hand to Jace. A moment passes with Jace staring at the simple token of Cannon's goodwill. He finally wraps his fingers around Cannon's and pulls him into a hug.

"Take care, man," Jace says against Cannon's shoulder.

"You too. Keep the queen happy and let up a little on all the cleanliness stuff."

"No chance."

The two laugh and Cannon sobers as he turns to me. "Good luck ruling your circle."

I raise an eyebrow. "Good luck ruling all of Pax."

He grins and with one final nod, he leaves out the door we came in, toward the portal that waits near the entrance of Dex's court.

I sigh and turn toward Jace, gripping both of his hands in mine.

"Ready to go back and deal with the 'decisions to be made'?"

He brings our hands to his chest and closes the distance between us, leaning forward to whisper in my ear, "As long as those decisions end with me as your eternal partner and me in your bed, then yes."

"Let's go, then."