“Our brethren are fine. Now that Calista has returned, the withering will halt again.”
Jessandra stopped pacing. “We don’t need Calista for that to happen. Only your power. Or dare I say, the realm’s power.”
The realm’s power was my power. If it weren’t for me feeding it, they’d all be dead. Not even Mergle knew the extent of what flowed through my being. I was certain I didn’t either, with no one to guide me and nurture my developing gifts. Jessandra needed to decide whose side she was on; otherwise, all that power could come down upon her head.
My nostrils flared. “Calista will remain. She owes a debt, same as you, and she will pay it. Same. As. You.”
“She owes you nothing. Calista beat you.”
“With your assistance.”
“I did nothing, and you know it!”
I smirked. “I say otherwise, and Calista accepted the agreement. We’re not debating this again.”
“What was your ‘agreement’?”
“That is none of your concern.”
A sarcastic laugh bubbled from deep inside her. “Now is not the time to bring love interests over.”
“They have a king and queen. We will have a king and queen. We need to emerge as a united front, same as them.”
“I find it hard to believe that Calista would agree to such a role when she didn’t want to be here.”
I dropped onto my throne, already exhausted by our conversation, and muttered, “The things we do for love.”
Jessandra cocked her head at my utterance. “And when she begins to wither like the others?”
I would tie myself to her to prevent that from happening, and to prevent her from ever leaving me. “I will deal with that when it comes about.”
“Astaroth—”
“It is time to pay your debt, Jessandra.”
“I assumed as much. Answer the question.”
I stared at her in warning. “You are to move to the castle.”
“No.” She spun around and marched to the door.
“Where are you going?”
“I refuse your request.”
“This is not a request!” My voice boomed through the room, shaking loose the dust between the stone slabs surrounding us. “You will do as you are told!”
Her slitted gaze turned over her shoulder. I had the mind to toss her in the pit with the others who denied me, but that would get us nowhere. We needed Jessandra to succeed and survive. She knew it by the challenge glinting in her eyes.
“You will move to the castle and prepare for your new role.”
“What will that be?”
“Guard to your new queen.”
Fury emanated from her.
“You want to go home? We need her to do so.”
