Mycalm shattered like ice, but beforeIcould push away, he gripped me with all his strength and sent lightning through me.
Ithad been years since he made me scream with his magic.Ihad been a fool; even after everything,Ilet myself believe that this time would be different.Maybethis timeIwould see that boyIhad held in my arms on that golden balcony so long ago when we were both just younglings.
Thistime,Iscreamed and screamed.Deepinside, claws lashed and tore me to pieces for the very last time.Hislips slammed into mine as his tongue shoved its way into my mouth.Hesmothered me as his power destroyed me down to my very core.IthoughtIwould pass out when he finally released my mouth and bit down on my earlobe untilIknew it bled.
“You’remine,Pallas.Youwill always be mine.Don’tever forget that again.”
Hereleased another jolt of power so intense that my legs and arms seized up, and he released me.Icollapsed in a boneless heap on the floor.
Heleft without another word, and tears flowed down mycheeks silently.Thecold stone floor seemed a relief for my burning skin.Deepinside me that feral creature raked her claws over my stomach and my heart.Shecurled up and purred words thatIhadn’t even dared to think for nearly five centuries.I’mnot yours.Notanymore.
Chapter 26
Hadeon
482 years ago
Theshouting of the crowd was so loud it deafened me.Iheard nothing, only a faint ringing.Isaw nothing, not the waving arms filled with bushels of greens and red berries, not the smiling faces, only a blank, never-ending light.Wehad rushed back toKoronto complete the enchantment that would tieMalech’sheart to me, andIcould think of nothing else.Onlythat and the way my father’s frown etched ever deeper as my name was chanted by the crowd over and over.
Mymagic was gone.Itried numerous times on the journey to summon it.Itwas like calling out into a gaping canyon; all that came back was a faint echo of myself.Ineeded this to work;Ineeded my power.
Isaw my father’s face laced with disappointment and could practically feel the stone walls of the dungeons surrounding me again.Weak, powerless, pathetic.No!Thedragon was dead.Ihad killed him with my own hands and rent him apart with my power.Thiswould work.Iwould allow for nothing else.
Inthe depths of the castle,Runyascampered about, making last-minute adjustmentsto her glyphs.Ifelt nothing as she sliced open my arm with a blade, spilling my blood into a wide-brimmed bowl.Isaw her face twist as the runes on the bowl didn’t react.
Myfather andPlagisstood motionless behind me.Ifelt the king’s eyes boring into my back, andIdidn’t dare look.
Runyadipped her fingers into my blood and flicked it about, reciting memorized incantations.Malech’sheart sat in the center of the floor, its slow beat seeming to die with each passing second.
“Faster,Runya.”Myfather’s voice was deep, and evenIshivered at his tone.Runya, to her credit, didn’t falter, butIsaw the sweat beading on the back of her neck.Shefinished her incantation, then came and stood beside me.Theroom was quieter than a grave as we watched absolutely nothing happen.Theheartbeat slowed, and the heartfire died before my very eyes, and absolutely nothing happened.
Iheard my father shift behind me, butIfeared death less than what he was about to say.Ispun onRunyaand grabbed her neck with both my hands.
“Yousaid this would work!Whatdid you do wrong?!”Ipressed too hard for her to respond; she was already purple from the lack of air.Thebowl of my blood clattered to the floor, red running along the seams between the stone tiles.Shescratched at my hands with her nails, butIfelt nothing.Thiswas not happening.
Thenher eyes lit up with that deep maroon fire, and a wicked grin crossed her face.Along-forked tongue darted out as she hissed,You’renothing without me, boy.
Idropped her instantly, and she hit the ground hard.Herface was fae, my hallucination had gone.Thered light remained, covering everything.
“YourMajesty…”Plagisgasped.Ispun and saw that the heart had reignited and was slowly rising off the ground.Therunes peeled from the floor, along with drops of my blood.Theybegan to spin fast around the heart untilIcouldn’t see anything but a blinding light.Powerflooded out of the heart.Theburns on my skin ignited anew, butIfelt lightning and something more surge through me.Thetide was so strongIthoughtImight never escape, but then the light dimmed, and the runes slowed.Theyspun calmly, like the moon circling the earth.
Whathad been cold and empty inside of me was filled beyond overflowing.Lightningsnaked over my skin in a wayIcouldn’t stop, the power sought an exit in its excess.Ishot a bolt across the room, andRunya’sworktable exploded.
Ithad cost me nothing.Ididn’t feel weakened, even with the loss of blood and fresh wounds.Ifelt stronger than ever.
Iturned around to see my father.Heflexed his fingers, searching his palms as if he expected something.Hegave a small sigh, then turned his attention to me with a warm smileIhad never seen before.
“Myson.I’venever been prouder.”Heembraced me for the first time.Itwas simultaneously uncomfortable and perfect.Icouldn’t help but rest my head against his shoulder, even for just a moment.Iwas powerful, more powerful thanIhad dreamed.Myfather pulled away from me. “Myson, my heir.”Forthe first time,Ibelieved him.Icollapsed into his arms again.
Helet out a small laugh. “Youhave saved our world, and just in time.Ihave a surprise for you.”Thewarmth left his eyes as he turned toRunya, who was still coughing on the floor. “Finishthe enchantment so that only we can enter here.”Runyadidn’t respond, but she didn’t have to.Shehad no choice.
Myfather nodded toPlagis, his eyes darting to the coughing woman for just a moment.Theman gave a confirming nod asIwas led out of the room.Inever sawPallas’ mother again.
PresentDay
Ididn’t hearLuxosenter the room.Inever did.That’swhy he was still alive despite his failures.Hehad his value.
“YourEminence, my spies tell me the princess is leavingXyr.Sheis taking a cohort out into theSeaofSpirits.”
