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“I’ve got a pie in the oven. You come have a slice with me after dinner.”
I step onto my porch and give her a dubious look. “I don’t know… what kind of pie?”
“Cherry.” Jan’s eyes sparkle because she’s gotten to know me pretty well the last few months we’ve been neighbors, so she knows cherry is my favorite. “And I even got some vanilla ice cream to go with.”
“Sold,” I exclaim. “About six thirty?”
“See you then.”
I beam a smile at her and unlock my door. Before I step in, I look around at my new little world.
A lovely small town, a great new job, sweet and helpful neighbors, and I get to watch my brother flourish.
Everything I could ever want.
I step inside, shut the door, and lean back against it. The smile I’ve been donning on and off all day vanishes.
Because none of this is the thing I want most.
CHAPTER 25
Amell
There’s no pompand circumstance on the Bridge of Judgment anymore. I have my fae guards bring out those to be judged and set them up along the bridge. I walk down the line, inherently knowing each person’s sins because of my power. I look into their eyes for a flash of anything that might interest me before I give them a push. It takes only a few minutes each day, far more efficient than the old way when Calix ran the show.
Having pushed the last person off for this session, I head back to my suite, choosing to walk through the castle rather than bend distance.
Truett meets me just inside the massive double doors and updates me on his work. I put him in charge of traversing the Underworld looking for other supporters of Jago and his group that perished down by the river three months ago. A few have been rooted out and destroyed, hopefully clarifying the message that I am not to be trifled with.
We could find no proof that Ariman played any part in this failed escape attempt. Then again, Jago just wanted out, whereas Ariman wants to carry on Kymaris’s work to conquer the First Dimension.
Regardless, I’ll have to keep my eye on him as he remains a potential danger.
I’ve thrown myself into my work, determined to be a better king. Sure, I made our realm prettier in the hopes of keeping the residents happy, but it’s not enough. I’ve established leaders in each city along with their own governing council to handle ruling under my guidance. I’ve created a forum for residents to bring forth grievances, and another to work on better infrastructure.
I’ve established laws to cut down on some of the wanton crime inherent with an entire realm populated with evildoers, but for the most part, I let the citizens do as they like. As long as they stay within the place created for them to be what they are meant to be, I’ll keep judgment and punishment to the souls sent to me.
Not sure it’s doing any good, but at least it keeps me occupied. If I’m not busy, I’m thinking way too much, and no one likes being around me when I’m brooding.
In my suite, I head straight to the sideboard, cleared of wine carafes and now stocked with the best bourbons from the First Dimension. I pour myself a glass and wish I could get drunk on this stuff, but I can’t. It’s just not strong enough for fae, but I like the taste.
I step out to the balcony, bypassing the only chair remaining in the living area. I haven’t replaced the furniture I destroyed the day I sent Nyssa away. It’s not important.
Granted, when Thalia came to visit a few weeks ago, it wasn’t exactly comfortable since there was nowhere for everyone to sit, but I wasn’t in the mood for company, anyway. It didn’t take her long to figure that out. When she asked where Nyssa was, my curt reply—“Gone”—immediately worried her.
“Do you want to talk about it?” she’d asked.
“No.”
And she didn’t ask again. In fact, no one asks, and that’s the way I prefer it.
I lean against the balcony rail and look out over Otaxis. The streets are bustling, and if I had any common sense, I’d go down to have some fun. Drinks with my subjects and any number of fae beauties I could fuck.
It would get my mind off…
Nope. Refuse to think about it. I sling back the bourbon and turn on my heel, intent to pour another.
I come to a dead halt, though, when I see Zora in the one chair left in the living area.
