AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Mhm. The human one.”
Jari had no idea what to make of that. All he knew of Hell was that it was some concept of humans. Terrible, awful humans went there for eternity after death. A different placecalled Hel was in Asgard, and the daughter of Loki ruled over it. Supposedly, some dead fairies could go there at some point after death and possibly be reincarnated later, although Jari wasn’t sure about that. Elira had never specifically said that.
Little was known about Hel since the Queen wasn’t too open about it. He did know that it wasn’t a terrible place like the human’s version.
As for the human’s Hell, demons supposedly lived there. They weren’t like the ones that lived in the Fallen realm. Those in Hell were completely evil, not that the ones in the Fallen realm were role models of morality. There was a reason why they barely interacted with fairies and weren’t exactly welcome.
“I can’t grasp many images,” said Aurelius. “There are others. Or were. I think they’re all dead now. Envy and Lust were…special. Like brothers, but maybe lovers too. One gave them a fruit to eat, but I couldn’t see what it was.”
Jari was pretty sure Mammon was the only problem anymore. Maybe the others all lived in that Hell and wouldn’t bother anyone. They hadn’t so far, right? Aurelius
“They thought the humans and fairies were toys,” said Aurelius. “I feel like I’m both a fairy and him. We’re all toys.”
“You’re not a toy.”
“I don’t want to be one, but I am to this thing. Just like we are to Este and Darlim. Everyone’s a toy to someone else.”
“Listen, we’re going to destroy the items. We’ll dump them in the ocean and-”
The vibration was so faint, Jari thought he'd imagined it. Aurelius shifted in the grass as he seemed to feel it. Far out in the distance, he saw lights. Many lights. His heart nearly stopped for a moment as he pictured the whole Zorian army thundering toward them to be rid of the threat that turned men to gold.
Until he realized they wouldn’t be coming from that way. Only one army would be coming from the north.
They jumped up, and Jari grabbed the saddle as he whistled for Mercury. How long could Mercury run with two people on him and a whole army chasing them?
Este must have changed her mind shortly after Jari left and driven her army, or part of it, to find him. Maybe she’d left them under a Commander and gone home herself to tell Darlim the news. Either way, they were fucked.
Lanterns jittered in the distance, and the dark mass drew nearer, and Jari hurried to ready the horse.
“I can take care of them in a few seconds,” said Aurelius.
“No!” snapped Jari. Turning so many people would surely drive out what was left of his mind, and there might not be enough salt in the world to save him at that point.
“My weak fairy brain is already lost enough-”
“Aurelius! Stick your hand in your pocket.”
He’d barely gotten the tack on when he heard hooves from the south. Shit. They’d sent scouts around and ahead.
“Halt!”
Aurelius was still facing the army and probably fighting the urge. If they didn’t have a choice, maybe Jari should let him gild them all. It’d be better than being taken as a prisoner. They’d kill Jari and seek to keep the more valuable man alive.
Jari grabbed Aurelius’s arm and jerked him toward Mercury as he lit up his other hand with fire. “Get on.”
“I said to halt!”
“White flag! White flag!”
Several mounts ran up as soon as Aurelius was on Mercury. One had a white flag. Like he’d trust that. They’d kill Jari instead of talk, and they’d descend on Aurelius.
How was he supposed to save the Prince? They shouldn’t have stopped.
“Este wants to talk,” said one.
“Bullshit!” snarled Jari.
“If we found you, we’re supposed to say-”
