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“The council – they try to keep their Creators happy when possible. I was allowed to remain in the city to take you to safety so long as I didn’t interfere with the Destroyer's work. Not that I could have done much to interfere. A Creator’s power is limited to creation. When you refused to leave with me, I left, thinking I couldn’t bear to watch you die. As the battle wore on, I could still feel you living. I knew you hadn’t fallen. So, I returned, hopeful that you’d let me take you away once your city had fallen.”
His expression becomes crestfallen. “I was making my way through the city when I looked up to the temple and saw you – Cassandra. My sweet, innocent priestess – and you were slaying them. A group of fully trained, seasoned soldiers, and you cut them down like they were made of clay. I have no idea where Cassandra learned to do that. All I wanted was to apparate to you, to take you to safety, but my oath to the council was binding. Now that you were engaged with the invaders, it would have been considered interfering to whisk you away in the midst of battle. And so, I watched, holding my breath, waiting for a moment when I could get to you. As you cut down the last soldier, I saw you run to the rope they’d used to climb up to the temple. I was coming foryou. And then you – you crumpled. Two arrows and you fell from the cliff.”
Leon stares at his hands now, where he’d folded them on his lap. He doesn’t look back up when he continues. “After that, I felt a rage surge through me that I never knew possible. My collar,” he stops again, struggling for words. “It fell to the ground, and I murdered every last defiler that invaded Atlantis. The council, of course, found out, and I was given a new collar. Creators cannot destroy things, and I tainted the Creator power by going against the natural order. The council banished me into the role of Destroyer. They have only ever given me tasks since then of destroying other civilizations. It’s my punishment for breaking my oath and acting of my own accord.” He continues to look down at his hands after he finishes.
I don’t know how to respond. I wrap my hands around myself, suddenly cold. Leon finally looks up at me, a searching look on his face.
I feel bad for him. Being forced to do something you hate for thousands of years as a punishment sounds atrocious. He went against orders, but to punish someone for thousands of years – that’s a bit excessive.
“I’m so sorry you’ve had to destroy things for the council,” I say softly, climbing up the bed to slip into the covers by his side. My empathy overrides my caution to keep my distance.
Leon seems relieved that I’m not judging him and answers, a bitter smile on his face now. “It’s what I am now, Vivian. I’m a Destroyer.”
I lean against my headboard, considering his words. “I wish I knew more about our history together,” I admit.
It’s true. I hate that he harbours so much feeling for someone I have no recollection of. I’m constantly missing pieces of the puzzle as I try to work out my new reality.
Leon shifts against the headboard, and our arms rest comfortably against each other. “You were absolute perfection to me.” He starts, once again closing his eyes as if watching a memory unfold in his mind. I relax against him, wanting to hear more. “You were a priestess at the moon temple. The priestesses were pacifists sworn to light and life. We met in a field on the outer borders of Atlantis. You were picking flowers, and as I saw the sun shining down on you, I already knew I was going to love you for eternity. We talked for hours and would take long walks around the city, but we always ended up at the water’s edge. It was your favourite place. You were kind to all and loved to smile and laugh. You had an undeniable light to you, which drew me closer by the moment. When I finally told you what I was and showed you some of my power, you didn’t cower or show any fear. From that day forward, you were mine, just as I was yours.” He finishes, opening his eyes to look down at me.
I’m slightly uncomfortable seeing how deeply he feels for me when I’m no longer that person. Perhaps if I had all of Cassandra’s memories, this would all be easier, and I could accept this magical pull. It feels like a long shot, but I might as well try. “Is there a way that I can remember? To regain my memories as Cassandra?”
At this, it’s Leon’s turn to look uncomfortable as he pauses, considering my question. “I don’t think so.” He answers. “I could break the walls that hold the memoriesof Cassandra, but in doing so, your mind would be flooded with every thought, emotion, and memory of that lifetime. The force of those memories entering your consciousness might break your mind.”
I blanch at the thought of losing my mind. “Never mind then.” I quickly answer. “It’s your turn for a question.”
Leon considers what he wants to ask. “Why are you fighting it?” His gaze bores into me with renewed intensity, and there’s no reason for me to pretend I don’t know what he’s asking.
I break eye contact and stare at my own hands as I answer. “The bond worries me. I don’t like the idea that some magical force is making me want someone. I worry that it isn’t my desire but just what the bond wants. If I wait until the bond is broken, I can see whether this is real.” I glance up at Leon in time to see his gaze darken again at my mention of breaking the bond.
Rather than acting on his possessives like he did this morning, Leon sits up off the headboard and turns to face me fully.
His voice is soft as he answers, but the intensity isn’t lost. “Have you considered that perhaps our bond is not some unnatural magical force? It was put there by the fates themselves, just like every other choice you’ve made in your life, every preference you have, every taste, colour, and person you’ve loved. By going against your destiny and breaking the bond, you’d be breaking a piece of yourself.”
I’ve gone back to staring at my hands, focused on processing his words, when Leon pauses to place his hand on my chin, lifting it so our eyes meet again.
“I have loved you for lifetimes, have grieved you and shattered myself over the loss of you. To have you here now, returned to me, and bound to me – it is the greatest gift I will ever receive. You’re fighting against your own nature, rebelling against emotions you have yet to let yourself even feel. There’s a reason the council brought you back to me. We are made for each other, Vivian. The only reason the bond takes the form it has is because it recognizes that.”
I search Leon’s eyes, considering his declaration. Maybe he has a point. Perhaps if I give into the bond, the mental fog will clear, and I can be fully happy. Still, that scratching at the back of my mind doesn’t let up.
“I’ll think about it,” I answer, smiling softly at him.
Leon’s hand falls from my face as he looks at me with tenderness. “Thank you.” He answers earnestly. “I believe it is your turn.”
His tenderness is stirring our bond to life, and I need to change the subject. I focus on our mission and what we’re getting ourselves into. “Tell me more about the other Destroyers.”
Leon’s tone shifts instantly, the disgust leaching into his tone. “They are despicable creatures. Their very existence is sustained by darkness and pain. Just like a Creator can only create, the entirety of a Destroyer’s power is used to destroy. Every horrible thing you can think of that has ever happened to your planet, famine, plague, war, natural disasters, every last one of them has been caused by a Destroyer using a drop of their power.”
I’m a bit confused. “Leon, if the Destroyers are acting on the council's instructions, then is your hatereally well placed? It sounds like they don’t have much choice in their actions.”
Leon scoffs. “They love it, Vivian. Just as Creators are chosen for the light within them, the Destroyers are chosen for their darkness. There are two of them that were originally made as Destroyers. Irena is pestilence brought to life. She spreads illness and sweeps through civilizations, killing all without conscience. The other is Sin. They say he was chosen because he can bend minds to his will, making people commit all kinds of atrocities with only a thought, even before his Destroyer powers were granted. He ends civilizations by corrupting others with greed, anger, and whatever other vile thoughts he wants to play around with. Like a puppet master, he controls them and revels in the destruction they cause. These creatures cannot change their nature. Their darkness permeates their very souls.”
I don’t respond. The Destroyers are dark creatures, but the council gave them this power, harnessing their darkness for their own means. If someone is acting despicably, then the true puppet masters should at least be held accountable.
At this thought, the bond flares to life, only this time, it brings me a world of pain. White hot light momentarily blinds my vision, searing my thoughts.
When my vision returns, my eyes lock onto Leon’s. My mind is blank as if all my thoughts were burned away and replaced with an excruciating need for him.
My leggings suddenly feel itchy, and any fabric on my skin is unbearable. I shift in bed, pulling off the blankets. I’m overheating, and even though Leon is only inches from me, the bond isn’t letting up. Instead, itsnaps even tighter so that even the hairs on my arms seem to be reaching for him.
