Page 79 of Prince of the Phantom Sky

“If that’s what it took.” Aryn stood. “For what it’s worth, I’m glad you’re here. Kordelia may have been pivotal in the Galenite War, and an integrated part of this castle. But you’re so much more, Captain.”

Kora’s heart thudded unpleasantly as talons raked across her mind and down her spine. A sinister laugh prickling the shell of her ears as the red haze threatened to submerge her and allow Kordelia to take control.

Another lie. Another deceit.

“You should go,” Kora spoke tensely. Darkness bled, the sun disappearing behind shadows.

“Kora, we need to discuss this. Whether you will re-accept the bond with me. Vows and promises hold weight in Galen—magical weight. I have no idea what will happen if you reject it. Someone in a fugue state has never had a Tvinnr Fyr as well.” Aryn stepped back, his shoulders drooping.

“Please stop.” Kora waved a hand, before slamming both down on the chair’s wide armrests. The captain’s cold mask was returning, shutting down her emotions, blanketing her panic. Tendrils beckoned from the wall of shadows beyond the balcony, leering, reaching to snatch Aryn away. “Stop!” The scream was directed within, but Aryn winced.

You can’t trust anyone anymore.

“Kora?” Aryn reached out but Kora toppled out of her chair, a cough hacking from her lungs as icy pins repeatedly stabbed them all over. Every pocket of darkness pooled, seeping into her chambers, bubbling beneath the mezzanine. He knelt and grabbed her shoulders, and Kora almost screamed at the gold churning in his irises, like molten metal.

Pathetic, naive human.

Kora yelped at the familiar yet bitter voice ravaging through her mind. She violently trembled as Aryn’s warm hands circled her arms, but the cold smothered her, numbing her. His warmth couldn’t penetrate the darkness. Her firefly was gone.

“C-can you see that?” Her teeth chattered as she pointed ahead. Aryn cursed, shaking his head. “She’s here. She’s coming.”

You don’t deserve this power.

The faintest of golden glows bloomed from Aryn’s hands as his stare narrowed. His tattoo deepened, the tiniest of rivulets running from it like watercolour paint.

You don’t deserve this body.

Black-stained tears dripped from Kora’s eyes, and with his golden thumbs, Aryn wiped them away, before pressing a finger to her scarred temple.

You don’t deserve him.

“Hush now,” Aryn soothed as his thumb followed the scar down her neck. Within moments, the cold receded, the laughing vanished, the scraping talons cushioned, and Kora slumped into her protector’s arms.

35

Raiden

I’m telling your father!” Sirona screamed as Raiden ushered her into the small room above the infirmary. A far-too cosy setting, with dark furnishings and chunky furniture. A small growl erupted from him as Sirona spun in the centre of the room, flicking her flaxen hair over her shoulders.

“You’ll do no such thing,” he chastised.

“No?” Sirona folded her arms, her deep eyes narrowing. “She’s a freak. No one can possess more than one faction. No one can bring someone back from the dead.”

Raiden’s jaw ticked. He was sure he was part illusion, his ability to speak into minds was unnatural for an elemental. Even illusions couldn’t do that, but they could manipulate someone’s mind, distort their reality and thoughts.

“No, Sirona,” Raiden spoke firmly. “He’ll see her as a threat and kill her. No one’s ever been more powerful than Zephyr.” Even Raiden’s abilities dwarfed in the presence of his father’s.

Sirona raised her pointed chin. “It’s unnatural to interfere with the gods. She’s taken from Thanos’ realm, and there will be repercussions.”

Kora had been to Umbra and returned. It’d never happened before. Had she somehow brought a piece of Death back with her?

“I’ll deal with it,” Raiden gritted out. “Promise you’ll keep this quiet.”

“What’s in it for me?” Sirona’s eyes sparkled as she glided forward. “What do I get?”

Raiden huffed. “My respect, for once.”

Her gaze darkened. “How about one more night?” She approached, her hips swishing. “One more hot, sweaty, passionate night.” Sirona placed her fingertips on Raiden’s chest, tilting her face up. “Admit that we were good together.”