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Radiating unshakable determination, they angled their stances to look up at her and Rathbone. Oh, yeah. They would totally bypass the barrier within the hour.
Her breath caught when Azar stepped forward, approaching the flames. He entered without pause. The others followed. Their helmets and clothing burned first. Then their skin bubbled, melting. Charring. Not once did they slow their gait. No, they continued gliding forward. Muscles and organs turned to ash until only bone remained. And still they kept walking. When their bones burned away, the particles blew backward, reforming outside the fire as fully healed—and madder—Astra.
They did it again and again, advancing a little farther each instance. No matter what pain they suffered, they refused to back down.
Though a hint of a solution teased her, Neeka couldn’t quite grasp it. “Are we done here?”
Her companion didn’t hesitate. Within a split second, they reached the throne room. Spirit Lore reclined in Rathbone’s throne, drumming her fingers against the arms. The second the goddess spotted them, she vaulted to her feet. When she noticed the hand hold, she narrowed her eyes. Just for a moment. In a blink, she displayed only concern.
“Something has happened,” she proclaimed softly, fluttering delicate fingers to her throat as she closed the distance. She took up residence beside Rathbone. “Azar comes for me, yes?”
“Yes.”
Chest tightening, Neeka released him. During their meal, he’d shared bits and pieces of his past, comforted her as she shared some of hers, and kept her enraptured by his charm. How would he treat her in front of his queen?
“There’s no need to fear,” he instructed. He didn’t reach for the goddess, at least. A thrill and a surprise. “I’m promised a solution.”
Right. Neeka’s cue. She had a sisterhood to save. Her new objective: Hide the bones from the Astra for good. If she could hide them from Rathbone, too, even better.
“Give me a few minutes to think.” Neeka sprang into a swift pace, attempting to spark a vision. If she could see the end from the beginning, she could figure out how to get there. A trick that sometimes worked. Today? Not a blip.
Maybe she was still in recovery mode?
Argh! What she wouldn’t give to stuff the goddess in her pocket and move on.
Hey! That wasn’t a bad idea, actually. And it was doable. There was a harpy named Downsize Daisy. A loner who charged an exorbitant amount to morph an ex-boyfriend into a pint-size pocket rocket. The best revenge in town. Didn’t Neeka have a gift certificate to redeem?
Could Daisy shrink the throne, with the floor attached? A big question in need of an immediate answer.
No doubt Neeka’s request would be met with a stanch refusal, considering she was known as a traitor and all. To save harpykind, however, she was especially motivated to change the girl’s mind.
“Okay, I have a plan,” she announced, fixing her attention on Rathbone. “As previously suggested, you’ll flash the throne and floor to a new location. A temporary fix. Once Mistress Skeletoria is secure, I have something more permanent in mind. To facilitate this, I need you to fetch a harpy, a second skeleton, a piece of paper, and a pen.”
He fixed his attention on Neeka in turn, as if the glowering Lore no longer existed. “The Astra will never believe a common set of bones is—”
“Oh ye of little faith. I’m not going to trick them into believing the fake is Lore,” Neeka interjected. “I can explain the plan and run out the clock, or you can help prevent a disaster. Please trust me when I say these supplies are absolutely mission critical.”
He gave a stiff nod. “Very well. Will any harpy do?”
“Bring me the one known as Downsize Daisy. She’s in Harpina...somewhere. Whatever you do, don’t look her in the eyes while she’s mad. Now go. Tick tock, tick tock.” She gave the king a little shove. “Okay, bye.”
He was frowning as he teleported, but still snubbing the goddess.
Lore’s air of concern dissolved. “You won’t steal him from me. He’s mine.”
“Is he though?” She hadn’t forgotten the stardust Azar would leave on the goddess’s skin.
The goddess notched her chin, a cold smile spreading. “Go ahead. Ask him.”
What a snake! “You are rotten to the core, and he’s not a fool. Not always.”
“Darling, don’t kid yourself. You hope he grows to hate me because you want him for yourself. You’d do anything to win him for yourself. But let’s be honest. No one keeps the Unwanted for long.”
Neeka flinched, every word a bullet. Win Rathbone for, like, forever? Hardly. Sure, she would never forget the incredible feel of his hard-won strength, demanding her body mold to his. And yes, she kind of loved the way his mátia watched her, as if there was no one else worth seeing. She also greatly enjoyed his scent. And his thoughtfulness. He’d provided a scrumptious meal without prodding. And okay, fine, she still admired his loyalty. If he hadn’t been gaga for a dead woman, Neeka might have climbed aboard the Rathboner Express. But none of that meant she sought a happily-ever-after with the guy.
“You underestimate my appeal,” she grated.
“And you overestimate it.” Satisfaction glimmered in the goddess’s crystalline eyes.
