Imoved between him andJun, but he just sweptme into his inferno.Myskin sizzled, but the fire no longer burned my skin.Heran his hand up my back and wove it into the hair at the base of my neck, pushing me back as his mouth pressed to mine.Itilted my head and took in all the heat and softness of his tongue and the strength of his grip untilIcompletely melted.
Hepulled away, his eyes burning. “Mygoddess, is there nothing you cannot do?”
Chapter 62
Pallas
Themorning sun broke gently through my window—my room, back home.Ipushed back the silken sheets of my bed and observed everything.Nothinghad been touched.Mybookshelves were tidy, and my vanity was organized just asIliked it.Iran my finger over the deeply stained wood, and not a speck of dust was to be found.
Myplace here had been preserved and cared for.Asoft knock came at the door. “Enter.”Oneof the many slavesIhad known for most of their human life entered.Shegave me a soft smile before depositing a tray of food for me and turning to go.
Thetray was laden with my favorite things: scones soaked in thick cream and numerous ramekins of jam set out like little jewels all around.Freshlysliced preserved meats and cheese were accompanied by soft-boiled eggs already cut and salted.Idug in and immediately fell into the familiar flavors and textures.
Home.WasIreally home?
Thecreature inside me hissed, butIdrowned her injam and tea served with lemon.Ileaned back in my plush chair and let my hand gently rub over my very full stomach.
Anotherknock came at my door, but beforeIcould respond,LordPlagispushed inside.Immediately, my hackles raised, andIsat up straight in my chair.
“Ah, my lady, it’s so wonderful to see you again.”
Isaid absolutely nothing, butPlagiswas used to that.Mynails cut into the chair's fabric, but he didn’t notice.
Heapproached me boldly, smoothly setting himself down in the chair opposite me.Helet his eyes roam over my nightgown, andIwanted to cross my arms and hide.No,Iwant to snatch his eyes right out of their sockets.Myown thoughts surprised me so much thatImissed his attempt to speak to me.
“Didyou hear me, my lady?”Ishook my head. “Ohmy, your ordeal must have been truly gruesome for you to be so divorced from the present.Nomatter.Isaid the emperor expects you to join him for dinner tonight.”
Ididn’t move or respond.Hedidn’t care.
“Imust say,Ilook forward to hearing everything you have gleaned during your time in theDragonKingdom.Despitemy many visits,KingAbraxaskept his affairs tightly locked away.Ha!Well,Ithink we all know why now.Thelast dragon?Ican hardly believe it.”Hecontinued for quite some time, andIonce again didn’t hear a word he said.
Thisroutine was familiar to me as well, as was what came next.Iwas home, indeed.
“Iam so grateful to have you returned to us, my lady.Ihave missed you dearly.”
Ididn't even notice him grabbing my hand.Hiseyes leered at me, and his other hand came up to trace over the curves of my side.Heleaned in and placed a sloppy kiss against my knuckles.
Whenyou are ready,I’llbe the first in line.Theimage ofAvlyndoing the same thing flashed through my mind.Ithadbeen the same action, the same kiss, but somehow, it was completely different.
Plagis’ hand roamed under the curve of my breast, his fingers greedy, and my mind tried to flee to anywhere but this room.Doyou want to be rescued,Pallas?Yes, butAvlynwasn’t here.Noone was here for me.Iwas all alone again, surrounded by monsters.Ihad never known how to fight.
Notall heroics are grand battles and gestures.Junwas right.Isnatched my hand away fromPlagisand stood so rapidly that he nearly toppled over.
“MyLady?”
“LordPlagis,Ihave just returned from quite the ordeal, as you said.AndIhave spent no time with ourDivineEmperoryet.Wouldn’tit be prudent to do so before engaging in any other social calls?”
IsawPlagis’ eyes wrinkle in anger, but before he could speak,Iadded, “Don’tyou think that is what theDivineEmperorwould want?”
Plagiswas a vile man, but he wasn’t a fool.Hewould not crossHadeon, at least not yet. “Ofcourse, my lady.Howright you are.Well,Ilook forward to enjoying your company soon.”Hespun and exited my room without another word, andIslumped back into my chair.Iwas home, indeed.
Noone stoppedme asIwandered the halls of the palace.Feweven spared me a greeting or glance.Aftera few courtiers approached me with casual greetings and idle gossip,Irealized many probably didn’t even knowIhad been gone.
Ithought about wandering to the gardens to seethe flowers in all their late summer splendor, but my feet took me elsewhere.Slowly, the surrounding air grew colder and more humid, the stench of wet earth leaking from the stone walls asIdescended into the bowels of the palace.Itwas broken briefly by that familiar floral scent, andIcould feel the shadows watching me, but he did not approach.
“Lurking, as always,Luxos?”Hedidn’t respond, andIdidn’t care.
Downin the darkness, it was easy to recall the taste ofAvlyn’sblood as it splattered over my face.Iwasn’t sure whatIwould do ifLuxosapproached me, butIwas sure neither of us would leave unharmed.
