I stride forward, ignoring the way the soldiers are straightening behind me and catching their breath after their near-panic inside the prison.
Roman has cleaned himself up. Maybe even showered, but possibly in a hurry, since droplets of water cling to his bristled jaw and make his now-wet hair appear darker than its usual blond.
He’s dressed in black pants and a short-sleeved shirt, but it doesn’t seem to be made from the same silken material that the royals wear. This material is thick and conforms to his muscles, and, as I draw nearer, I make out layers in the material. The outer layer around his torso appears to be a chest plate while other plates conform to his shoulders and thighs. They glint with hues of amethyst that remind me of the appearance of his wings when we infiltrated the goblin’s territory, his feathers so dark that they first appeared black.
Ace reaches Roman first and the demon wolf's ferocity only seems to ease the tension in Roman’s shoulders. He speaks to Ace in the ancient demon language—a short sentence that sounds like a question.
Ace snarls back, but he tips his head the same way an opponent might tip their chin, an affirmative of sorts.
I remind myself that I desperately need to learn the ancient language. The fact that Roman can have these secret conversations with my wolves is infuriating and it only increases the anger within me. I wasn’t expecting to see Roman right now. I was mentally prepared to face these next steps alone. Somehow, his presence only highlights the absence of my sisters and reignites the sadness I feel at losing the relationship I thought we were forming.
Sadness that manifests as anger.
“I thought you were supposed to be preparing for the ceremony,” I say. “Crone said as much.”
“Fuck Crone,” Roman replies, his stormy gaze passing across me, as if he’s checking for new injuries. “You’re more important.”
The breath stops in my throat, a jolt of energy passing through me, a sudden warmth that I…can’tallow myself to feel.
“What about your duty?” I challenge him. “You don’t want to throw off the Balance.”
He closes the gap between us and his voice lowers, sounding solemn and sincere in a way I was not expecting. “You just said goodbye to your family, Nova. I would never leave you at a time like this.”
Another jolt of energy passes through me, the connection between us tugging me so firmly that I nearly step into him, forcing myself to stop at the last moment. “Then why didn’t you come with me into the prison?” I say, another challenge, since the soldiers faced the prison with me, but Roman stayed away.
His response is quiet and considered. “Because my presence would tear apart the living energy inside the prison,” he says. “Others may be trapped inside it, but I’m as old as the prison. I can never step foot inside its walls. Not unless I wish to destroy the building and everyone in it.”
My voice fails. I have no comeback, and I struggle with the torrent of emotions I’m keeping at bay—fear for my sisters, anger at being here in the first place, determination that nothing will keep me from winning the first trial, no matter what it is.
Before I can say anything more, the soldiers catch up to us.
They quickly take a knee to Roman, and I don’t miss the fact that they bow more easily to him when Crone isn’t watching on.
“Lord Rune,” Tyrus says. “We escorted the lesser beings into the prison as ordered.”
“Lesser beings?” Shadows grow across Roman’s face. “The shifters have names,” he says in a low rumble, the kind of quiet calm that hides simmering anger. “Malia and Taniya. That’s how you will refer to them from now on.”
Tyrus raises his head, his jaw dropping a little. “Yes, Lord Rune.”
Roman gives Tyrus a firm nod. “I’ll take Nova to the Citadel now.”
Tyrus rises to his feet, looking uncertain. “Crone gave us orders—”
Roman rounds on him. “Is Crone your commander?”
Tyrus relaxes, the stiffness around his shoulders easing. He exhales quietly. “No, Lord Rune.”
Roman continues to stare at him. “Am I your commander?”
Tyrus’s response is slower this time, a little confused. “Well… No, Lord Rune.”
Roman nods slowly. “Correct.” His jaw tightens. “Could Nova Madden one day be your commander?”
I brace for the captain’s response. Nobody will expect me to win the Elimination and become the new ruler of the Underworld—Mortem—but I’ll do whatever it takes to survive and protect my sisters and… ultimately… find my way back home to my mother. Somehow. Even if the life waiting for me back in Vegas isn’t a fairy tale, it’s still my life. And Taniya, at least, has the chance of finding love there with Dastian. I will fight to the death for her to have that opportunity.
Tyrus is like stone as Roman’s question leads to complete silence among the soldiers. The prison walls continue to glint at the corner of my eye and the silence grows heavier.
Finally, Tyrus swivels to me. His response is slow, but not quite as reluctant as I anticipated. “Yes, Lord Rune. Nova Madden could one day be our commander.”
