Iremembered my dance withHadeonandLuxosstabbingKaleosin that derelict temple. “So, he figured abusing me would awaken it?”
“That’swhat happened to him.”Ididn’t like what her words implied.Theyhung in the air a few more moments before she continued, “So, he thought it would work on you as well.Butit didn’t, so he assumed you were powerless.Butyou obviously aren’t.”Shelooked me up and down.
Juncame over to me and held my hand. “Doyou have magic,Tori?”
Myeyes were locked onPallas. “You’vesided with us.Butyou must trust us as well.Youobviously knowHadeonwell, maybe better than anyone.Whatare you to him?”
Shedidn’t move.Thatdead gazeI’dseen inXyrlocked into her eyes.
“HaveIsided with you?OramIjust doing my best to survive?Youstole me away from my life,Princess.Iowe you nothing.”
Igritted my teeth.Whywas she being so difficult?Shealready helped us once, andIdidn’t have time for her waffling. “Well, if you are so keen on being my enemy, perhapsI’lltreat you like one.”Igrabbed her upper arm, pulling her away from the railing.Hereyes snapped to mine and lost that dull shade.Isaw it again, that fierce hunter’s look.Good.Ishoved her so she crashed into the railing; she flailed to not fall over.
“Tori, stop.”Jun’svoice cracked, butIdidn’t stop.
Ipulled vicious and hungry power from the ocean beneath our boat.Ilet it fill me until my body practically vibrated with it. “Doesthis look like no power to you,Pallas?”Istalked closer, and her eyes grew wide.
Isaw deep below the fear that she was a cornered and beaten animal that had been subjected to repeated abuse.Butdeep down, she remained a predator.Iwanted her to fight.
So, she did, but not in the wayIexpected. “You’rejust like him.”
Immediately, my power fled.Andlike the predator she was, she saw my hesitation and weakness and struck.
“Useyour power to control me,Princess.Chainme, imprison me, but don’t for one moment pretend you aren’t just like them, like every fae who has ever wielded power for their own selfish gains.”
Junwas whimpering, looking between us. “Pallas,Tori, please don’t—”
“Idon’t want to control you,Pallas.”
“Thenyou must accept thatIwill not help you.”
Iwanted to rip her stupid, beautiful hair out of her head.Ifelt rage swirling within my gut like flames, eager to engulf her in them.ButJunwas practically vibrating with fear, andIcouldn’t bear it one moment more.Ispun around and walked as far away fromPallasasIcould on that small ship.
Mistwas allIcould see in any direction.Itshrouded everything, making our path forward indiscernible.Butsomehow,Avlyncontinued to guide the boat.Rockswould rise out of the sea, but they had already altered the course long before we could see them.
Iclung to the railing, letting the frozen spray from below drench me.Itseemed to help calm the fire that danced through my veins.Ilooked out at the ocean below, tried to find my breath and calm my racing heart.Thesun was fading into the horizon like the sea was swallowing it whole.Istared into its fading red light, that deep crimson glow.Asit finally disappeared beneath the waves,IthoughtIsaw a flash of green light, vivid and otherworldly, and my heart squeezed tight.Itried to call toAbraxas’ flames again, but my mind was still reeling.Mychest ached, andIgave up.
Darknessfell on the ship, andIfinally turned away from the railing.Pallaswas nowhere to be seen.
Avlynstood at the helm of the ship.Ioffered to take over, but they claimed they wanted to make it toXyrin one piece, so they responded with a “no, thank you.”
“Wearen’t too far now,Princess.Ican stay awake tonight; tomorrow, we should be back home.Youget some rest.”
Rest, that sounded like a good idea.Itseemed calm, but sleep was beyond my grasp.Ilay on the deck of the ship, looking up at the starry sky through the riggings, whenJuncame and lay down next to me.
“Iguess we both can’t sleep, huh?”
“I’vedone enough sleeping for a lifetime.”Hisresponsewas so humorless it broke my heart.Ithought of those deep shadowsIhad seen.Iwanted to rid him of them, to rip them out.ButIknew that wasn’t possible.
Ilifted his arm and laid my head on his chest, as we had done countless times before.Butit didn’t feel the same as it once did, andIdoubted it ever would again.AsIlay my head down,Ifelt him flinch as my touch sparked fear.
Imoved to lie beside him, close but not touching.Wewere silent for a few moments whenIfelt his pinky intertwine with mine.
Despiteliving together for two hundred years, in just a few months, so much had changed between us.Ilistened to his heartbeat and felt the squeeze of his finger.Forthe moment, that was enough.
“Whois she to you,Jun?”
Iwanted to wait, wanted to let him heal slowly and come to me in his own time, but it had become very apparent just how crucialPallas’ knowledge would be.
