The applause and cheers were like knives into Treycore’s ears, a long-awaited celebration of his utter defeat and humiliation. They didn’t just rally against him, but against the god who had abandoned them—their negligent father and creator.
Rand approached Aerysn with his prize…his Kid.
Treycore continued fighting, trying to will his body into action, but everything was a blur as Rand forced Kid to Aerysn.
Kid squirmed about, struggled to get free, calling out Treycore’s name repeatedly.
“You fucking bastards!” Treycore shouted.
The laughter in the room continued, Rand encouraging everyone with, “Oh, look how cute his affections are!”
Aerysn slung Kid over his shoulder.
“I hope you enjoy your wedding night,” Rand teased.
Howls of excitement echoed all around them as Aerysn wrapped his arms around Kid and took off, flying to one of the higher-level corridors.
No. Not Kid.
Treycore was determined to rescue him. He struggled with his limbs, urging them to work with him, but they refused.
The immortals surrounded his corpse of a body, moving in on him. They booed and hissed, called him names from the days of old. They gathered around him, spitting on him, kicking him, rubbing in his loss.
He didn’t let them discourage him. He only had one thing on his mind.
But as soon as he managed to get to his feet, a leg pushed out of the crowd and tripped him so that he tumbled back to the floor.
“Kid, no. Kid, no!” he cried out, but despite his best efforts, despite everything he tried to do to kick into action, it was useless.
All he could do was writhe about on the floor, crying out Kid’s name, hoping for his mortal’s sake that Aerysn would find some pity on Kid…or selfishly want to abuse him so he would keep him alive a little longer.
