His eyes narrowed. “Do you truly balk simply because my looks make you uncomfortable? I brought Melek’s brother safelythrough the Shadows of Shade. Do you think that’s possible—withNephilimno less—if my heart is dark?”
“How did you do it?” I breathed.
Hever’s eyes darted to the men behind me, then back to lock on mine. “Your vision for the future—yourinspiredplan—it has precedent. The union of Nephilim and the Shadekin is… proven.”
I frowned, and Hever rolled his eyes, then bowed sardonically. “My mother was Fetch—in exile. She hid her power until the day she died,” he muttered. “However she passed it on—and if you tell another fucking soul, I swear I will findendlessand creative ways to irritate you.”
“Wait… a Shadekin? What?How?”
“That isn’t important. Just know that your union was heralded—and protected. Lucifer only learned the truth of the strength of these unions in recent months. Hence… everything.” He gestured impatiently towards the battle waging behind us.
I gaped. His eerie eyes slid back to mine.
“A joining of Nephilim and Shadekin, even in a matepair, is powerful, my Queen. But entire nations? Only God is stronger. Yet, those powers are not to be taken lightly. Make certain only the green-eyes breed.”
“I… how…what?”I spluttered.
“Lucifer’s power is theft, sickness, and death—notlife. When weliveandlove, we overwhelm it. You are right to resist. Melek is right to teach others to be fearless. But love and courage will make a martyr of your mate if you do not move quickly. You are needed. Go to him. And when your babe is born, for God’s sake—make certain his heart stays pure. The power he will possess would be staggering in the hands of an enemy.”
A rush of thrill at the thought of my child with Melek made my heart giddy. But then I blinked and remembered the source.
Hever stood in the dim alcove, hood up, only his eyes bright enough to show from underneath that thick darkness.
“I don’t know if I can trust you,” I admitted.
“You must, or your mate will die.”
“Your eyes… your eyes are yellow!”
Hever smirked. For a moment, my vision blurred. When it cleared, Hever stood before me—looking far younger than he had just moments before. His skin a warm brown, body lean and tall under the thick cloak, and his eyes now a shining, deep, forest green.
He hissed when I recoiled. “You of all people know that appearances are nothing by which to judge. Your talents would suggest to the outward observer that you have a love for the dark—but it’s the opposite of your true calling, yes? Your heart, that’s what’s important. And yours is good, my Queen. But yourappearanceis what’s needed—to raise the spirits of others, and to call those who waver to remain single-minded.”
“Who?” I breathed.
“You were right to adopt the Nephilim. To see that Melek isn’t the only among them with a heart… and a soul. But those same souls have been raised in a darkness you can only imagine. Don’t give them reason to believe they should burrow back into it. Keep spreading this truth—you can defeat the Fallen! However, do so on your way to save your mate. Melek will not kill Gall, but someone may have to. His heart wavers on the cliff-edge of giving over completely. Save your mate and your sister. Let Gall make his choice.”
I was about to respond when avisionoverwhelmed my mind’s eye.
Melek, standing in the vast banquet hall. Gall right in his face, breathing hard. The gleaming blade of an axe pressed against his throat.
I inhaled sharply and scrambled into the shadows. I was weakened by weariness, but I had to get to them! Had to help!
To my dismay, Lucifer’s men had reached the corridors first, and they’d heard what we were doing. The hallwaysblazedwith light. Even the Shadekin were fighting hand-to-hand. It was a melee. Chaos.
I had to get to Melek, but if I was forced to circle the palace to reach him, it would be too late. This fighting would have reached them, and who knew what Gall might have done.
Standing around the corner from the main corridor where the fighting was most intense, I peered through, looking for a gap. I could walk a few steps in bright light. If I could find a dark corner, or a path of allies through the fighting that would let me slip by…
My vision blurred again and suddenly the old Hever was back, that crumbling voice of rot skittering up the back of my neck, as he turned me and shoved me forward.
Right into the light—and then I understood.
This wasn’t a moment for shadows and darkness. This was a moment to lead in the light.
Grasping what strength in power I had left, I reached for the minds of all my allies in this tumult of blood and death.‘Melek is in danger. Your king needs us. I must reach him. Clear the path!’
It was humbling to watch as men of different nations—Neph with green eyes, Shadekin, Centaurs, humans…allof them roared in defense of their chosen king. As they fought and bled and rushed, pushing our enemies aside to part the sea of battle so I could dart through, I couldn’t help smiling.
