“Tilt his head to me,” Dahes commanded. “I want him looking at me as the light leaves his eyes.”
Elion grunted as I shoved my other hand against his jaw, forcing him to stare up at the Dead King.
Dahes let out a slow smile. “Just because the Suns and Moons cursed us from killing each other in this life, does not mean you won’t die a hundred times over in the After,” Dahes droned, tapping his finger idly against Elion’s throne. “But first, I’ll keep you tethered to me, force you to watch what I do with your kingdom.”
“You fucking bastard,” Elion spat.
Dahes opened his mouth, his grin widening, about to say something when his face distorted. Anger took over his features as he rose from the throne, storming down the steps, and leaving me alone with Elion.
Shit.
I went to press the blade the rest of the way through his neck when Elion spoke.
“He has your mother,” he rasped, blood started to bubble around his mouth.
“What?”
“Dahes is keeping your mother hostage,” Elion said again, his voice strained from me pressing against his ribs.
“I don’t believe you.” My voice echoed across the room as I pushed the dagger further into Elion’s neck. Dahes’ command to kill him was coursing through my body, begging me to keep going.
“You want… proof…” he staggered. “Take off your necklace.”
I reeled back, just a fraction. “Why?”
“Because you’ll know the truth once you do,” he choked. “Your mother specifically made it for you, but I was the one who allowed you to keep it.”
“I was told it was a family heirloom.” My eyes narrowed. I knew he was stalling, knew he was trying to figure out a way out of this, and fuck, it was working. Not once had anyone brought up my mother…
I couldn’t stop Dahes’ command—I would kill Elion or die trying—but he didn’t tell me how fast I had to do it. He didn’t tell me I couldn’t ask questions first, and I needed to know. I had no idea when he’d come back. This might be my only opportunity to find out.
“How do you know anything about this?” I asked, pulling my chain out from under my shirt.
“Because I’m your father.”
“My father is dead,” I spat. I wasn’t going to believe this bullshit. There was no way in hell he was?—
“Take it off and see.”
I didn’t need to do this. I didn’t have to listen to him. But if there was a chance my mother was still alive…
Keeping the knife pressed against his throat, I pulled the necklace over my head with my free hand.
I never took it off before, had worn it ever since I could remember. It was the only piece of my family I had, even if I never knew myparents, I had this. But fuck, there was no way it was all a lie. There was no way he fathered me…
The same man who abused me, who forced me to kill, who made it his vendetta to ruin me.
“You have a Token,” Elion said, but he didn’t need to. The moment the necklace was off, I felt it. “Super strength, gifted by Nessium. It happened when you were four during one of your punishments.”
I couldn’t process it, couldn’t believe it…
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“What difference would it have made?” Elion huffed. “I lovedher, notyou.”
My grip slackened on the dagger, and Elion grinned. “I only kept you around in case I got her back. I knew she wouldn’t forgive me if I let anything happen to you, but then you surpassed everyone. Your skills were far better than any other drakin I had ever seen, so I used it to my advantage.”
He paused, blood pouring down his throat, as I leaned back.
