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I tugged on Cole’s arm, forcing him to look at me. “Trust me.”
His expression softened. “It’s not you that I don’t trust.” His gaze slid back to the demon. “What guarantee do we have that once he brings you there, they don’t simply imprison you? Each ruler is strongest within their own realm, in the seat of their power. You aren’t meeting on neutral ground; you’re on her territory.”
“Oh, she’ll be perfectly fine, you worrywart,” Phaidros said, ignoring the vengeful look Cole sent his way. “When you wish to leave, I’ll take you right back here.”
“And you’ll vow it to the Styx,” I growled.
Phaidros rolled his eyes, as if the idea of us not implicitly trusting him was somehow ridiculous. “I vow to the Styx that once you say to me you want to leave the moon realm, I’ll portal you back here.”
“Without delay,” Cole added.
“Without delay,” Phaidros parroted, mimicking Cole’s low rumble.
Ieased my magic from the wall. Today, I’d let him live because we needed him. But I would ensure Phaidros paid for what he’d done. “It’s settled then. We leave in the morning.”
Phaidros snorted. “What do I look like, your on-call portal-maker? This is a time-sensitive offer. We leave now, or you can kiss the chance to meet your mortal enemy goodbye.”
I wanted time to talk things through with Cole. To discuss what I should do.
“In an hour,” I bargained.
“Now. Or never. Your call, darling.”
I glanced at Cole.
“I still think it’s a terrible idea,” he said, resigned. “But we may not get this opportunity again. If you want to do it, I trust you. But if your instincts tell you not to, then don’t.”
I swallowed. My instincts were at war; part of me believed this was a terrible idea, because everything related to Phaidros was terrible. But there was a chance I could learn more about the Moon Goddess and how to save all of us. It would be cowardly to ignore that. If everything was reversed and it was Cole getting the offer, I’d want him to say no, but at the same time, I’d understand why he had to say yes.
We owed it to our people. It was as sacred as the vows we’d just made to each other.
“Fine.” I straightened and took a step toward the demon. “Let’s go.”
Phaidros summoned a portal behind him and held out a hand. I ignored it, brushing past him as I walked through.
“Sorry to ruin your wedding night,” he said with a chuckle, falling in step right behind me.
My snarling response halted in my throat as the magic passed overme. The portal hadn’t been anywhere near as painful and discombobulating as the last one he’d led me through. Prick. Unlike the rough-and-tumble approach, this was as easy as stepping through a doorway.
I blinked, unable to believe what I was seeing.
The sky stretched above, a midnight shade dotted with stars that were bigger and brighter than I’d ever seen. The ground beneath my feet was made of clouds, the same shade as my dress, though my feet felt solid atop them. Stretched out in front of me was a throne room. The room itself was demarcated by winding towers of ivory marble that practically glowed under the starlight. Unlike the simple twin thrones in the castle, this room had one single massive throne that stretched up at least twenty feet, a large staircase leading up to it, keeping it apart from the rest of the room.
The figure atop the throne was the most ethereal woman I’d ever seen. Her hair was so white it almost appeared violet in the light, a straight wave that disappeared behind her shoulders. Her skin was pale as the moon itself. The fabric that stretched over her was nearly sheer, a shimmering gossamer that managed to be regal rather than sultry. Her features were petite, her face unmarred by so much as a freckle or wrinkle. There was an unnatural coldness to it, as if she didn’t consider herself part of the world at all. Like the moon itself, apart, influencing, not truly alive. Her presence filled the room, a power that made my body want to yield like the tides itself.
For a moment, I was simply speechless.
“Have fun with her, love,” Phaidros said.
I startled at his words and turned to face the demon.
He was gone.
And with him, my way out of this realm.
Chapter XVIII
“Where did Phaidros go?”I demanded.
