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Heavy wooden bannisters lead down to an expansive room with two chairs in front of a massive fireplace. I hold the thick railing as I make my way down to where Hayden stands at an impossibly tall window topped with a pointed arch.
“Persephone nearly drove me insane.” He crosses his arms, and for the first time, he’s not wearing the armor.
“Where have you been?” My eyes fly over his clothes.
He’s dressed in a tailored black shirt and slacks like he used to wear at dinner. It’s topped with a red velvet jacket tied at the waist, and his nails are trimmed and glossy pale, not black and pointed.
“I had business above ground. Nothing to worry your beautiful head about, my queen.”
Koa. My throat tightens, and I’m sure whatever his business was, it had to involve my panther. Keep calm. What do I want to know?
“What did Persephone do that drove you insane?” My voice is still demanding, and he actually laughs.
“There she is.” Walking to where I stand at the foot of the stairs, he lifts a lock of my hair, letting it slip through is long fingers. Pale blue eyes linger on my breasts before rising to mine, and I see desire in his. “I’ve been waiting for my strong girl to resurface.”
Inhaling slowly, I move past him to the dark fireplace. “Why do you have fireplaces and no fire?”
He’s still standing at the foot of the stairs watching me. “They’re esthetically pleasing to me.”
I look down and realize I’m only wearing the thin, beige sheath I slept in. It’s essentially transparent, and I burn with shame. Hayden’s lust is not what I want. Pulling my hair over my shoulders, I use it to cover my dark nipples.
“Tell me why you let her go back please.” My voice is softer, less demanding. I’m still facing the fire, keeping my back to him.
“For starters, she wasn’t very smart.” He’s behind me now. “It’s unfortunate wit can sometimes skip a generation.”
“Maybe if you didn’t make a blanket decree, you could get to know someone like you did with Cora. Find a girl who actually wants to be with you.”
“That’s not how it works!” he suddenly shouts. “I’m the Prince of Darkness. Someone injures me, someone is made to pay.”
Or several someones. My anger matches his, and I jerk my chin at him. “It sounds like you’re the unintelligent one.”
He takes a step forward, and my chest clenches with fear. Blue fire burns in his eyes as he gazes down. “Don’t test me, Mercy. I will allow certain things for a season, but I am not a patient man.”
I try to swallow the lump in my throat, but it’s caught. I’m caught, and I tremble before his wrath. His jaw is clenched, and I see the intent in his eyes. A shiver moves through my body, and I know he wouldn’t back down from rape.
“I’m cold. I’m going to my room.”
He doesn’t move, and I cower back, turning quickly and running up the stairs. I don’t know how much longer I can do this. If Hayden tries to force me, I’ll fight him. I don’t know where that will leave me. I don’t know how far he’ll go to break me.
* * *
Koa
My running finally slows to a walk as I reach the edge of the forest. A tall castle rises in front of me against the grey gloom. It’s shadowy with pointed spires and tall windows that twist into pointed arches.
It’s his castle, and it’s unguarded, which makes me even more cautious. If he doesn’t think he needs a guard, I’d better be on my toes. Asphodel crush beneath my boots, and I wish I were armed. I don’t have anything to use as leverage. I don’t know what I’m even planning here.
Doris talked about deep magic and our bond. Is it written somewhere that I can take her back on love alone? I only know of one myth where a man was permitted to take his loved one back from the underworld, and it ended badly.
Standing before the tall, wooden door, I turn the round handle and push. No surprise it opens slowly. It’s so quiet. The hall I’m in is dark with the only light coming from blue flames in small lanterns. The flames feel cold on my skin, but I don’t waste time studying them. I continue until I reach a large open room.
I’m facing an enormous fireplace with two chairs in front of it. Two heavy wooden staircases lead down to it from opposite ends. Looking up, I see the stories rise high on either side. Everything rises to a sinister point.
“I’ve been waiting for you to come.” Hayden’s calm voice snaps me to attention.
I take a step back, assuming a defensive pose as he steps around one of the chairs to the center of the room. I now realize he had been off to the side, standing at one of the tall windows.
“Where is she?” My voice is a low vibration in the quiet.
