“So be it,” Ethim acknowledged the warning. “Your threats are groundless since I’m already on your side. Go if you must but contact me in Foreia when you’re ready to talk. I’ll be waiting.”
I nodded, banking my energy as I sought a portal home.
LEXA
“Tell me again why I couldn’t simply tell him the truth now?” Ethim rubbed the back of his neck in agitation as I took shape from the shadows.
I narrowed my gaze, aware Arim’s theatrics had intimidated my Djinn ally. “Leave Arim to me, Ethim. He doesn’t have the power to hurt you while I’m here.”
“So you say,” he muttered.
I kept my mouth closed, used to thinking before I spoke. For years, I’d had to prove myself among my peers and those I should have considered friends. Ethim was more a weapon to be directed than a friend, though.
Of all my acquaintances, only Jonas put me at ease enough to relax in his presence.
“I have been lenient with you, Ethim, because I need the help of your people. You know we work toward the same end.”
He sighed and shook his head. “Forgive me, Mistress. I know what you say is true. But I can’t help feeling like a traitor to my own flesh.”
He referred to Ellie, his daughter, who even now knew more pleasure at a Light Bringer’s hands than I ever had. Grinning at the thought of Arim’s displeasure when he learned a Djinn would soon join the Royal House, I clapped a hand on Ethim’s shoulder, forcing my touch to comfort rather than harm.
“Be at ease, my friend. I would never have advised you to use Ellie in this scheme if I thought Cadmus might harm her. Believe me, everything your daughter has done has been of her own free will. We merely introduced her to another aspect of life she’s been trying so hard to ignore.”
“I admit I enjoy the fact she’s finally recognizing her heritage. Hell, until now, she’s only accepted Jonas. My daughter would rather see a hardened warrior than her own father.” He sounded hurt, and I well understood his pain.
I shrugged, but I knew Ellie’s temperament better than her father did.
Ethim was used to command and thought he could simply order his daughter to love and respect him. Had Ellie’s mother not been so stubborn, the poor girl wouldn’t be so dead set against her Djinn heritage.
Her connection to Jonas made perfect sense. The Djinn had his own scars to bear and was a warrior through and through. Compassionate though strong, he’d learned much among the short-lived humans.
He treated Ellie with a respect and care her father might have tried had the autocratic Djinn ruler been allowed more time with his daughter.
Ethim glowered, and I suppressed a smile. He and Ellie looked so alike it was uncanny. I understood why Cadmus had fallen for the girl. She had a Dark passion that matched his own, the inner strength of true integrity, and the looks of an otherworldly Djinn.
“Don’t worry, Ethim. I’ve seen happiness in Elliara’s future.”
He relaxed and made polite small talk before leaving for Foreia. Left standing in the shadows, I felt as alone as I’d ever been. Dark yet not, orphaned with a family who hated me. I had never really fit in, and it was with some envy that I watched the Storm Lords’ affai find true love with their princes.
That those women found a future with creatures of Light gave me a perverse sense of pleasure. I, Lexa Van Norsen, a Dark Lord, was helping to shape Tanselm’s future.
And if anticipation licked at my core at thoughts of finally meeting Arim face to face in a no-holds battle to the end, so be it. I was honest enough with myself to admit we’d never resolved the past. Until that happened, I had no future.
“Sister dear, where are you?” A dark voice mocked me through space and time. “I’m looking for you, sweet I. I have a message from Balen that really can’t wait much longer. Come find me and we’ll…talk.” Husky laughter trailed in the recesses of the Between, and I shivered.
Sin Garu knew. He knew what I’d done.
If my brother found me, the Next would be a welcome respite from the pain sure to follow.
Chapter 9
Ellie
I felt a warmth flutter up my spine, the gentle touch of callused hands caressing me awake. Snuggling into my pillow, I smiled contentedly. I’d been dreaming about Cadmus again, experiencing mindless pleasure?—
“You awake?” he murmured.
I moaned his name, answer enough.
