“I don’t think he’ll bother us that soon.” I realize I’m still holding the head with one hand. That’s so incredibly disturbing and disgusting. Normal Astra wants to scream and run away in fear, but these last seconds have turned me into something different. I raise the head. “See? Beheaded. He won’t be putting it back.”
Azur grimaces when he sees the gruesome thing I have in my hand. “Oh, gross. Throw it away!”
I don’t blame him for his reaction, but I’m not going to throw the Witch King’s head in the Nymph’s river or across it, where someone could trace that magic.
I say, “We need to make sure we destroy it properly.”
“You think that’s how he heals from a beheading? Reattaching the head? So now that you have it, he won’t heal?”
“I don’t know how he came back, if it’s even the same body. What I know is that last time he was beheaded, he rested for three hundred years. Perhaps he’ll give us some respite.”
Azur’s chest rises and falls slowly. “No. I beheaded Zorwal, and he was alive the next day.”
I’m definitely hearing things wrong. “You beheaded someone who came back to life? The next day?”
“Yes. And maybe they have similar magic. I don’t know.” He points at the head. “Beheading clearly didn’t work properly last time, and I think what contained him was the magic in that cave. There would be no need for a prison if beheading killed him for good, right?”
“But I have the head.” I raise it and show it to him. “Maybe it will make a difference.”
“Who knows?” Azur takes a deep breath, his face thoughtful, then stares at me, his eyes distant. “You know I called you a whore once?”
Why is he bringing that up?
“Yes. I was eavesdropping. I pity your poor manners and disturbed view of women. Are you trying to apologize?”
“No. I also told your husband I’d cut you into pieces, and I enjoyed every second of seeing his temper rise. He’s funny—and pathetic.” He smirks. “I also wanted to kill him. Perhaps I should try again.”
He stares at me as if expecting something, while I just find the whole thing bizarre.
“Wow, your gratitude is so moving. I’d never have guessed I’d hear such touching words from someone for whom I risked my life. Incredible. Feeling good about yourself?”
“What do you think? And I still want to destroy the corrupt Crystal Court.”
“I’ll have fun watching you try.”
His eyes have an odd glint, while his jaw is hard. He stares at me like that for a few seconds, then huffs. “What’s wrong with you? Don’t you get angry? Annoyed? What kind of liquid courses through your veins? Water?”
“Ice, perhaps.”
“That’s solid!”
I look away and get up. Ishouldbe upset. My temper is often out of control, and yet I feel a strange sense of numbness, not to mention the horrific nausea. And then the shock, disgust. The head in my hand sickens me, and part of me wants to throw it away, but it’s as if my fingers are locked.
“I’m not feeling well,” I mutter.
Azur clicks his tongue, then grunts. “Pain. So much pain. Aaaah. Mercy, please. Mercy.” Something sounds phony in his tone.
I take a look at him. “Are you trying to convince me to kill you?”
“I’m begging you. Mercy!”
I narrow my eyes. “How come you were fine just now?”
“I was not. My wounds are severe, Astra.”
“I hope you survive and have a very, very long life to look back and regret upsetting Marlak. And no, I won’t kill you. Don’t attack me to make me act in self-defense. I saved you, and as such, deserve some grace at least.”
“I wouldn’t attack you.” He huffs as if the suggestion was absurd. As if he wasn’t being completely nonsensical.
