Painlingered as my flesh knit itself back together.Theirony was not lost on me that my magic mimicked the feeling of being burned alive.
Isighed and pulled myself from the wreckage of my bedchamber.Thenext room was undamaged, andIdressed myself.Theslaves knew what to do.Ihad the tongues cut from their mouths so no one would know my nightly turbulence.
Ifinished dressing just as a soft knock resounded on my door. “Enter.”
Pallasstepped inside, her eyes cast downward.Shewas clad in just a simple silk nightgown, but despite her plain attire, she was a vision as her long golden-brown hair caressed her breasts.Ihad her for centuries now, andIhated to admit how much she still affected me.Ipulled her into my lap and saw her eyes widen in shock for just a moment.
“YourEminence?”
“Soformal this morning,Pallas.”Itwirled the ends of her long hair around my fingers.Thesoft curls caressed my skin, andIpulled them aside to place a kiss on her neck.Shelet a small sigh escape as she pressed against me, running her fingers through my hair.Itugged my head back to capture her lips with my own and ran my fingers down her back, sinking them into every inch of her soft flesh.Shepulled back with a smile.
Shewas certainly the most beautiful woman in all ofAdimos, her hair lustrous, her lips soft and plump, and every inch of her body shaped to perfection.Buther blue eyes were always dull, like the sky just about to be overtaken by a storm.Shewas a thousand leagues away even though she sat with me.
“Youasked to know as soon asAbraxasand his pet were near; they should be in the city within the hour.”Shewatched my face as she delivered the news, and she didn’t flinch as a small amount of my power lashed out and swept through her.
Yes,Abraxashad requested a visit to my court.Ithad been decades since he had last been to my kingdom.Iknew he was up to something, andIwas racked with anticipation.Ijust returned from my trip toXyr, so it was particularly suspect.Finally, a little fun.Partof me wanted to believe he wanted to simply show off that little princess he had tamed, to finally accept his place as an esteemed member of my court, butIknew better.
Istood, andPallasslid off my legs elegantly.Igripped the back of her head, pulling her to my chest.
“Bewary of the princess,Hadeon.Sheis not as docile as sheseems.”Thewords were muffled asPallasspoke against my flesh, andIgripped her tighter.
“I’mnot concerned with the actions of a little girl like her.It’sobvious now she’s useless with no power of her own.”Itwasn’t entirely true.Shewould serve her purpose.Abraxashad become far too attached to the pathetic thing;Iwould need to correct that.
“Hadeon…”Pallas’ voice shook. “Junstill hasn’t awoken.Ifwe could just...”
Isnapped her head back so hard her neck audibly cracked, and the corners of her mouth flinched with pain. “Itold you, if he can’t bother to keep himself alive, he’s of no use to me.”
Herlips tightened. “Buthis gift of voice, we’ve just scratched the surface.Thereis so much more he could do for you.”
Ipulled her hair tighter, and she didn’t continue.Pallashad grown attached toJunin the last few months.Atfirst,Ihad allowed it in the hopes it would bring the boy more swiftly under my compliance.ButIstill needed to collar him, andPallashad been defying me more often, more than she had in centuries.Shewould need to be reminded of her place.
“Ifthe boy’s magic is strong enough to be of use, he will survive.Now, go prepare yourself for our esteemed guests.”Shebowed her head and nodded, not meeting my gaze.Justas she reached the door,Icalled out to her again. “Oh,Pallas, my love.LordPlagiswon’t be able to attend tonight’s festivities.Hehas requested that you come and entertain him beforehand.Wouldyou make sure he iswelltaken care of?”
Shehid it well, but a shudder ran through her body.Good.
“Ofcourse, yourEminence.”Shebowed her head again and left.
Iwalked to my window, and in the distance,Icould make out the dark shape ofAbraxasand his soldiers approachingKoron.
“Whatfun are we going to have tonight, old friend?”
Chapter 3
Tori
Thehard scales of his side pressed into my face.Theedges and peaks of the scales left divots in my skin as they embossed me whileIslept.Myhand traced them over and over, a distraction from the truth thatAbraxasstill slept.Ihad fallen asleep listening to his heartbeat, the only sign he was still alive.ButIcould feel it getting weaker, my heart along with it.
AvlynandIhadn’t spoken since our encounter with theSeer.Thesilence weighed heavy asAvlynjust sat down next to the spring on our return, mimickingPallas’ earlier position.Ifound her asleep next toJun, pinkies wrapped together, her chin tucked into his shoulder.
Howmany times had he andIlain like that, hidden in the forest, watching the stars pass over us?Tearsrose in my eyes, andIturned away.Ididn’t know their relationship, butPallashad shown me she cared for my brother.Ishould have been happy that he had someone there for him, even thoughIknew it should have been me.
Ilet those tears fall asIpressed myself intoAbraxas.Itwaslike trying to cuddle a boulder, butIhad fallen asleep all the same.NowIwas awake, andIcouldn’t bear it.Thosefamiliar dark tendrils crept into my mind, andIlonged to be nothing.IfIwas nothing,Iwouldn’t worry aboutJun.Iwouldn’t worry about what we would find beyond this cave.Iwouldn’t worry about howIwas the one who had to saveAbraxas, andIhad absolutely no idea how.
Islammed my fist intoAbraxas’ side.Myknuckles split open, the pain scorching up my arm.Butit wasn’t enough.Theworry remained.
“Iknow nothing,Abraxas.You,Avlyn, and that damnSeerdidn’t tell me anything.HowamIsupposed to help you?”Islammed my fist into him again.Itchanged nothing.Thatgreat wallowing pit of despair opened in my stomach, andIwas ready to jump right in.
ButthenIheard shuffling behind me and a masculine moan.Ilaunched away from the beast and was atJun’sside in two strides.Pallashad awoken as well, and her eyes were full of worry.Junmoaned again, andIsaw his eyes flutter.
