He paces, dragging a hand through his hair.
“Calm down,” I say gently, reaching out. He shrugs me off, still pacing. I sigh and sink onto the edge of the stone bed, finally giving my aching feet relief from those god forsaken heels.
“What happened?” I ask.
“They summoned Aran, demanding to know where I am. They know I’m with you—and they’re threatening consequences if we don’t return soon.”
I frown. “But that’s not possible. It took us five days just to get here.”
Of course, we spent an extra night in Solara, but even so, four days without an extra stay is crazy.
“I know. Aran says he’s dealing with it, but they’re pissed. They’ve given us three days to return.”
My eyes widen. “What happens if we don’t?”
He shakes his head, his jaw clenched. “I don’t know.”
“So what do we do?” I ask nervously.
He exhales sharply, rubbing a hand down his face. “Looks like I’ll have to ass-kiss Elyistria and hope she’ll help us with her magic.”
“Who’s Elyistria?”
“The goddess of Luminaria, which is the next realm we go to. She rules over light magic and mercy. She’s extremely powerful, probably more powerful than the Divine Six. How they haven’t tried to destroy her like they did the First Queen, I don’t know.”
“The First Queen?” I echo, nervous that all my questions are going to further piss him off.
“The first Queen of Hell. Rumour has it, the Divine Six destroyed her to preserve their rule. She was beloved—strong, powerful, fair, and loving. All of that combined made her very dangerous to them.”
He lowers himself to the floor in front of me, pushing my thighs apart to move closer.
“Your birthmark,” he murmurs, brushing his thumb over it. My skin pebbles under his touch. “It looks oddly like her symbol.”
I smile faintly. “My mother always said it looked like a little flame.”
He nods, studying it. “Her symbol is a flame—within a crackled circle of thorns.”
“Well, mine’s just a weird-looking flame. So not that similar.”
He pulls his gaze from the mark, nodding. “Maybe. Either way, we need to convince Elyistria to help us return faster.”
I stiffen. “Wait… so we’re not turning me immortal?”
He smirks, brushing a lock of hair from my face. “Oh, my little flower. Of course we are. When we return—with you as my immortal bride—I’ll finally shut those bastards up about the throne.”
I offer him a tight-lipped smile, nodding. “Right. The business transaction in all of this.”
He groans, tipping his head forward to rest his forehead on my shoulder. “Can we not do this right now, Daisy?”
“Sorry,” I whisper, my voice cracking.
He looks at me, his expression almost softening as he lifts my face to look at him. “I’m not frustrated with you. I’m frustrated with them. Because…” He growls in frustration and blows out a breath whilst staring into my eyes. “Because you are the first thing in existence that’s ever made me care about whether or not I die. And if they could wipe out the strongest Queen in history… what could they do to me?”
I stare at him, stunned.
“Whilst you’re still mortal, I won’t claim you. I can’t. You’re too easy for everyone else to hurt. But as an immortal, it’ll be much harder. Although, if anyone even tries, I’ll tear them apart and burn what’s left.” His onyx eyes stare into mine, holding so much emotion it makes my heart stutter. “For the first time in my life, Daisy, I’m fearful. When they took you in Aurora’s Veil, I felt something I’ve never known. I’ve lost friends on the battlefields; I’ve watched that many people die it no longer means anything. But when they took you? All I felt was rage, desperation, and a soul-deep panic that you’d be lost to me.”
His voice drops. “Your soul calls to mine, Daisy. It tugs. And when it’s safe, I’ll answer that fucking call. But right now, I have to keep you alive. I won’t lose you. I can’t lose you.”
