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She’s been here before, to experience it like her siblings,” he continued as I struggled to make sense of it all, “but now she wants to stay. She’s not ready to let go of all that hatred, and unfortunately, it will be her demise. That’s what happens when you get an ancient being who slips into a lower vibration. That’s why she’s more dangerous than anyone else. If she takes back her old form, and returns to this world fully, with all her powers, she will destroy it through her darkened lens. The gods don’t want that to happen. They created this place for a reason. It’s why you were sent here. You serve a higher purpose. You’re meant to stop the destruction of this world from happening, because itwillhappen if we don’t stop her.”
I rolled my shoulders back, feeling the weight of the world on them. “I just want to save the people I love.”
“Then that is motivation enough. You feel a connection to the gods, don’t you?”
I thought back, to the years of feeling them, praying to them, and when I met them, there was a sense of knowing. “Yes.”
“Fate is rarely something that is thrust upon us. It is shaped by our past and future, sharpened by all the anger and joy we found along the way. There is a way to bring Salenia down. There has to be. I’ve witnessed snippets in my visions, of the underworld crumbling. That can’t happen unless she dies, but she is immortal…” He closed his eyes, letting out a heavy sigh. A slow, but steady smile grew on his lips, and he slammed his hands on the desk, sending spirals of dust into the air. “That’s it. She just needs to be mortal, or at least the body she’s in needs to be.”
“The elixir,” I realized. “My father’s must still be at the castle. If she hasn’t destroyed it already.”
“She wouldn’t.” He moved his spectacles back up his nose as they slowly shifted down. “That’s too much power for her to destroy, knowing she can use it on someone if needed. I would bet it’s there. If we can get to it, then we have our key.”
“Slipping it to her will be the problem.”
He nodded. “For now, we will focus on getting it. But first, we must get to the castle.”
My heart raced at the thought of going back there, especially after reading that a large population of aniccipere had taken up residence. By rights, the throne was mine, but it was the last place I wanted to be.
THIRTEEN
Niall
MyheartracedasI approached the grandiose arched door to the throne room. Polished dark wood paneling gleamed, and ancient jewels glinted from intricately carved patterns. I inhaled deeply, breathing in Elizabeth's vanilla laced perfume clinging to my clothes, a comforting reminder of her warmth from my visit that morning.
I recalled that morning, the determined look that had crossed Elizabeth's face making me nervous. I recognized the definitive knot in her brow as she wrapped her fingers around the hilt of her dagger. I could already see the plan forming in her head - a sneak attack to kidnap her sister back from Salenia’s clutches. I was certain I’d glimpsed a hastiness in them, mirroring my younger, more foolish self. She’d get herself killed if she wasn’t careful and containing her to sit on the sidelines while I managed the goddess was becoming increasingly difficult.
Mortals.
I tried to repress my amusement, but I could feel the corners of my mouth curving into a smile. My happiness quickly dissipated when Salenia's voice emanated from inside the room. I rolled my eyes and sighed, then turned the brass handles, opening the double doors to the long, almost empty chamber of stone, reaching out to the tall thrones at the far end. I’d gotten used to seeing my father hovering next to them, that the goddess’s presence only stirred the hatred bubbling deep down.
I whipped my head around, my gaze following a dark-haired woman who sped past me and out the doors, closing them behind her. I walked forward, not hurrying myself for Salenia, my footsteps muffled by the red, narrow carpet leading up to the thrones.
My eyes shifted to the tapestries hanging from the walls. Scenes depicting our bloody history wove into fabric made of immortal threads from sorcerers, so that they would never rot or fade. In the images sewn into fabric, immortalizing the historical battles and celebrations, I found a sense of familiarity. As I stared at one, I recognized Salenia in her original form, staring down at who I assumed was Vener, but he was concealed by her billowing dress.
“You bow to your queen.” Salenia’s voice cut through my thoughts, drawing my attention back to her. With a slight movement of her body, the intricate ivory fabric of her gown, with gold threads running along its bodice and hem, swished softly. Blonde locks cascaded in delicate curls around her shoulders as she adjusted Sargon's ruby crown.
I tried my hardest to contain the rage welling up, a wave of resentment chilling over me as she smirked, sitting pristine and untouchable. She seemed to take pleasure in the faded bloodstain on the carpet at her feet—a reminder of the events of the night before. Our eyes locked, and I felt a chill permeate my skin as she pierced me with her icy blue gaze.
She’d been stupid to kill Penelope so publicly, knowing it would bring a war to our shores. Adrain and I had already received several correspondence warning of spotting Aslandian ships from the shorelines of Sanmorte, as I guessed they searched for points of weakness.
I lowered my gaze to the floor and stepped closer, bending at the waist in an exaggerated bow. “Yourmajesty,” I said in a mocking tone, then stood straight.
She grinned, as if she was enjoying our games. Like they were the same as before when she was pretending to be Gwen. But everything had changed now.
Next to her, on the consort’s throne, sat a crown of gold, placed there to entice me. I'd never been so close to becoming king, but a chill ran to the depths of my soul when I imagined being forever bound to her side in everlasting servitude. The crown was no prize. Not if it meant being bound to her.
“Do you like it?” She asked when she caught me looking at the crown. “I had it fetched just for you.”
“How kind of you.” I shoved my hands in my pockets, then climbed the three steps so she wouldn’t be towering over me. I looked down at her, my muscles tensing as a reminder that while the rest of the castle may have feared her, I did not. “But I’m not so easily tempted.”
She licked her painted, red lips and slowly rose from the velvet cushion, her nails gliding up to my chest. “Oh, Niall,” she shook her head, a pitied sigh leaving her mouth. “You’re by far theeasiestto tempt in this kingdom.”
“Careful,” I warned, my hand inching closer to her throat. Without Elizabeth by my side to protect, I allowed my darker nature to come to the surface. “Queen or not, I won’t hesitate to wrap my fingers around your neck.”
She bit her lip. “Oh, I wish you would.”
I inhaled sharply. “I’m not afraid of you.”
