Weboth watched as my lifeforce was pulled by the gravity of the stars, and a new world was born.Whitelight surrounded us, and we rose into the air to follow it.
LifeandDeathwere silenced, and time stood still.Adeep rumble grew inDeath’schest.Icould see that brilliant red fire glowing around his heart.
“You’llcatch me someday,Death.”
“Ilook forward to it, little beast.”
Lifechuckled, but she called out, “Butknow this, little beast and the last dragon, the time you will need to rule may be shorter than you imagine.Whenthe time comes to give up that power, you will, or there will be consequences beyond reckoning.”
Withthat, we shot across the universe.
Iawoke,andTorilay in my arms, just as she had before.Shelooked calm and serene.Sounlike herself.
“Tori, open your eyes.”Herhair draped over her face, andIgently tucked it behind her ear, my fingers gliding over her soft skin.Ileaned over and kissed her.Herlips were warm under my own, and after a few heartbeats, she jerked awake.Herlimbs flailed as she sucked in a deep breath and sat up.Herhead spun to everyone waiting just outside the enchantment circle.Amoment later, a body collided with us.
“Itworked;Ican’t believe it worked!You'reboth alive!”Junwrapped his arms so tightly aroundToriIthought she might pop, but she hugged him back with equal enthusiasm.Almostimmediately, another body hit me.
“Youfucking assholes!Youneed to stop doing this to me,”Avlynsobbed into my shoulder.
“I’lltake that into consideration the next timeIdie,Avlyn.”Iwrapped my arms around them, enjoying the sensation of being crushed; it reminded meIwas very much alive.
“Interestingnew crown,YourMajesty,”Pallassaid dryly.Ireached up and felt my horns pulling back from my temple.IgaveToriapuzzled look.
“What,Icouldn’t let you give it all up, now couldI?”Shesmiled andIfelt her tug at our bond.
Isnapped my fingers, and dragonfire, raw and true, sprang forth between them.
“Cleverlittle goddess.”
Chapter 76
Pallas
“A
reyou sure,Abraxas?”Iheard the princess whisper.
“Idon’t need this, not anymore.Shedoes.”
Iclimbed down the wooden ladder to the basement of the manor house we had taken over.Thespace had obviously been used for storage.Foodstuffand crates were stacked everywhere.Againstthe back wall, between two supporting pillars,Hadeonwas strung up on gossamer threads of spider silk; the web held his hands spread wide.
Hischin drooped, but his head snapped up as he heard me approach. “Cometo gloat, whore?”
Iignored him.Iturned to the two guards on either side of him;Avlynhad wanted to make sure there wouldn’t be any escapes.
“Leaveus.”
Theguards looked at each other but didn’t move.
“Doas the lady says,”Avlyncalled from the room above.Theguards snapped to attention and left the basement, closing the trapdoor behind them.
Wewere alone.Someof his wounds, cuts and burns bymagic and beast, still hadn’t healed.Itreminded me so much of whenIfirst saw him, a young, injured boy in a cell, thatIthoughtIwouldn’t be able to stand it.
“Whyhave you come,Pallas?”Hisvoice, cracked and weak, still carried the venom of his bitterness.
Istepped closer. “Toend it,”Ibreathed, my voice barely a whisper.Thewords felt heavy in my mouth, laden with a thousand memories and a thousand regrets.
Hadeonlaughed, a hollow, rasping sound that echoed against the damp walls. “Toend me, you mean.Yourheart bleeds for me,Pallas.Ican see it in your eyes.Youstill love me.”
