Daisy
Istare at the radiant goddess in front of me, her palms outstretched as she glides towards me. I smile softly, taking a step forward.
“I don’t believe I’ve been here before,” I say gently. “I’m Daisy.”
“I know who you are, my dear,” she replies, “just as someone else.”
My smile falters, and I glance sideways at Korithax, but his face mirrors my confusion.
“May I?” She asks, gesturing to my hands.
I nod and place my hands into hers. A gasp escapes me as her magic flows into my skin—warm and luminous like morning light through stained glass. Images flash behind my eyes, all moving way too quickly to decipher. Scene after scene blurs past, but each one pulses with power, and some deeper part of me seems to respond.
Elyistria releases my hands slowly, blinking as she smiles. “Yes. She truly has returned. Fascinating.”
Her eyes—blinding silver-blue with golden flecks swirling through them—lock onto mine. The power in her gaze soothes every raw edge in me, like a balm poured over my fractured soul. I blink rapidly, blinking away the spell that her eyes seemed to place me under, and turn toward Korithax, hoping he can take the lead because I have absolutely no idea what’s going on.
He reads my expression instantly and clears his throat.
“I don’t believe we’ve officially met. Allow me to introduce myself and my wife. Korithax, Heir to the Throne of Hell. And this is my beautiful Queen, Daisy Sandoval.”
Elyistria smiles softly, then turns and floats back toward her throne, each step trailing light like floating petals behind her. She’s tall, statuesque, the very embodiment of divine serenity.
Her platinum-white hair cascades like silk over her luminous ivory skin. Her layered robes mirror the ones I wear—white silk and translucent gossamer embroidered with golden runes of fate. A crown of golden branches tipped with glowing pearls rests gently atop her head.
“I know your bride well, Korithax,” she says, seating herself elegantly, looking like one of those Greek goddess carvings. “And I’ve heard many stories about you, Child of Ruin.”
Korithax bristles beside me, his hands not so subtly curling into tight fists. “How can you know my bride,” he growls, “if she’s never set foot in your realm? And who told you that name?”
Oh gods. I widen my eyes at him. He was really using that tone with the literal Goddess of Magic. His rage makes my palms sweat, and my pulse quicken. But also… godsdamn, he looked hot doing it. He’s the polar opposite of the realm surrounding us. A smudge of dark, terrifying power against such light. I can’t help but stare at the behemoth of a man standing beside me. A pool of heat floods straight to my core as I watch the ruthless man I’ve come to know not give a damn about who he releaseshis anger on. As if he could read my thoughts, his gaze snaps to mine. His nostrils flare once, and a small smirk pulls at his lips.
Shit. Right. He can smell when I’m turned on.
Think of spiders.
Think of taxes.
Think of the time my tampon string snapped, and Ezra had to hold my hand whilst Talia went into my hooter all gloved up to retrieve it.
The heat in my belly simmers down, and I lower my head to hide the blush that’s blooming across my cheeks.
“Answers will come in time, Heir of Hell,” Elyistria says calmly. “But rest assured, when you return from Noxthrallia, you will need my aid. And I will offer it—if your queen remembers this…”
I lift my eyes to find her staring directly at me, her irises glowing faintly. “I failed to stand beside you the first time, and I will not repeat that mistake. I am with you now, Daisy. When your hour comes, I will be there.”
I blink at her, smiling stiffly. Why is everyone in the celestial hierarchy always so damn cryptic? Is that part of the job description?
Essential Goddess Skills:
A) Be devastatingly beautiful.
B) Speak exclusively in vague riddles.
C) Offer help but never explain how or when.
Still, I manage a polite smile and bow my head. “Thank you, Elyistria.”
“You do not yet understand,” she says gently. “But you will. And when the sun rises from the ash, I will stand at her side.”
