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“I don’t want to play your fucking games,” Ladon snarled. “If that’s an antidote, then give it to me now.”
“Ladon, Ladon. I’m not sure where you get your insolence. Look around you.” She paused for dramatic effect. “Does it look like you’re in any position to be making demands?”
I felt his heavy breathing against my back. I heard his heart hammering with rage. The rapid rhythm grew louder in my ears. I realized my other senses were growing stronger while my vision went entirely black.
The end drew closer, and I panicked. “Ladon…”
“It’s going to be fine, Emilie,” he said softly.
“I wouldn’t make promises you can’t keep,” Reyna said.
He huffed. “What do you want? What will it take for that vial in your hands, you wretched bitch?”
“For starters, I’m going to require that you never call me that again. You may call me Reyna, or you may call me your beautiful queen. Either will do.”
“You’re not a fucking queen and you never will be, Reyna.”
“Look at that,” she exclaimed. “He obeys. What a good dog. I’ll have you trained like my hellhounds in no time.”
Ladon was vibrating with wrath. If Reyna didn’t stop taunting him, he might explode. I couldn’t see his expression, so I reached for his face. I felt his ear first, then the stubble on his cheek. He leaned into my palm in an oddly compassionate move. One I never would’ve expected from him.
Tears rolled down my face as I struggled to breathe.
“Please,” he pleaded, his jaw rippling under my fingertips.
“And what will you give me in return?” Reyna asked.
“Whatever you want.”
“Anything?” Her tone expressed her delight.
“Anything.”
There was a pause, and then Ladon jerked. I couldn’t see, but it sounded like he’d caught something—the vial.
He pressed it to my lips. “Drink.”
The sludge poured into my mouth and down my throat, almost making me gag. I didn’t have time to worry if it had been a trick. If there had been no antidote and only more misery to be found at the bottom of the vial. Reyna clearly loved to play games, but drinking the concoction was my only option.
I felt it travel down my esophagus and my stomach churned as it settled there. I coughed and sputtered, but did not expel the contents.
Slowly, the feeling in my fingertips returned. My vision was no longer black, although it was incredibly blurry. I could only make out shapes and colors like I was looking through clouded glass.
I found the strength to sit up on my own, but pain lanced through my spine. My face contorted with anguish, and Ladon cradled me once more.
“You said it was an antidote,” he growled.
“I did,” Reyna replied. “I never said it would be pleasant, though. It’ll take a while for the potion to dissolve the venom in her body. Vessina had her fangs in for quite some time, so I imagine there’s a lot lingering in poor Emilie’s veins.”
I hated the way they were speaking about me, as if I couldn’t hear. I tried to voice my frustration, but another blast of pain surged through me and my eyes rolled in the back of my head. I seized, and Ladon held me tightly.
After the tremors passed, I slumped again. Every last drop of my energy had been used up in those moments. Survival seemed impossible.
“You’re in for a very long night, I’m afraid,” Reyna said.
Chapter Fifteen
Ladon
