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Amell shrugs, not in a blasé manner but to indicate he’s frustrated by the unknown. “We’ve been ferreting out hidden supporters of Jago, and one recently divulged that there were rumors that Rune is going to be freed from his prison and restored to his god status.”
My knees actually go weak. “And you trust this information?”
“I trust the torturer who got the information. His specialty is in peeling strips of skin from his subject and cauterizing the wounds with fire.”
I grimace and my stomach rolls. I’m a god with a queasy stomach. “But how would that even be possible?”
“He didn’t know, only that it’s being bandied about by Jago’s remaining supporters. It could be nothing but a false claim to keep their movement strong. The prospect of escaping the Underworld is a powerful way to hold them together. The promise of a god who would let them all out would be inspiring.”
“I’ll convene the Council and let them know,” I say, not sure what else I can do. “Is there any other information?”
“I’ve been watching Ariman. He was close to Jago, but I couldn’t tie him to the uprising. He still rules over the city of Llandam and attends all my meetings. If he’s doing anything to aid in this rumor, I have not yet uncovered his involvement.”
“But he’s wicked and crafty,” Nyssa adds. “Our gut says if there’s any plot against Amell, the Underworld, or to free Rune, Ariman’s hands are in it.”
“He bears too great a magic,” Amell says. “Give me leave to destroy him, and that worry will be put to rest.”
I’m no stranger to Ariman. He’s the dark priest who helped funnel black magic into me at Kymaris’s command. I never had any direct interaction with him, as I was only a vessel and not worth his time to converse with.
I shake my head, unwilling to mar Amell’s benevolent rule. “It’s better to keep your friends close and your enemies closer. I only want you to watch him.”
“At your command,” Amell acknowledges.
My smile is wan. “Well, I wanted to tell you that you’re free to leave the Underworld at your whim.”
Amell pulls away from Nyssa, his expression darkening. “What’s wrong?”
I blink at him in surprise. “Nothing’s wrong.”
“You’re lying,” he replies in a dulcet tone. My eyes flare with affront. “I’ve known you longer than anyone by a long shot, and I know you’re lying, and I know something’s wrong.”
That’s all truth. Amell oversaw my entire upbringing in the Underworld, protected me from harm, and eventually became my lover. While I never fully opened up to him because I was always aware of his danger, I know he’s far too perceptive for me to argue with him.
“It’s nothing.” I lift my chin, a silent gesture that I’m not discussing it.
Amell’s face reddens with anger. “If that asshole hurt you, I will rip him to pieces.”
Nyssa moves, putting her hand on Amell’s arm. She looks concerned, not for him, but for me.
“He didn’t hurt me. It’s the other way around.”
Amell blinks, his face going slack. “Oh… well…” He looks at his wife helplessly, then back to me again. “I don’t… I mean…”
Nyssa steps forward, nudging Amell back from us. “Do you need to talk about it with someone?”
I shake my head, giving her a grateful smile. “I appreciate it, but no. It’s done and now I’m off to the Council to tell them about the rumors regarding Rune.”
Nyssa gives me a quick hug, followed by a squeeze to my shoulder from Amell, and I return to our godly realm.
Appearing on the gazebo-covered dais, I wait for the others to appear.
CHAPTER 12
Maddox
Faere is thefucking pits. It’s so disingenuous as a land that I find it hard to tolerate. There’s nothing natural about it.
Faere was created through the power of stone magic by Nimeyah, one of the original fallen angels cast out from Heaven. Perhaps feeling the keen loss of her prior home, she set out to make a realm far more beautiful than where she’d come from.
