“We’ll get on that immediately.” He eagerly agreed, so willing to do whatever it took to move up the ranks. So easy to push and pull just where I wanted him.
“And I want you back in Evenfall. You’ve done great work. Now it’s time to delegate and come to the capital to reap the rewards.” I smiled fully, ensuring that charm that so often got me my way was in full effect.
His big smile and quick agreement were just what I was expecting. As the only one I let into the secret of how to make iron, he needed to be kept under heel—but staying happily there, completely oblivious to it, made it so much easier.
That was where I went wrong with Asteria. I’d tried the same tactic on her, not factoring in how much more intelligent she was than bootlickers like Kess. I wouldn’t make the same mistake twice.
And this iron would guarantee my victory.
After assuring Kesshuu several times that once he was finished with his part in turning blood to iron, he could leave for Evenfall, I began my flight back home. My smile was hard to contain, hidden up here in the skies as I was. Everything was going to plan, better than even, at least on the iron front.
Aelius and his wayward son… those missing bloodsacks… that was another matter entirely, and quickly had my smile falling.
The Otherworld damned Earendel family was going to drive me up a wall before the end of this.
I hated that any thought of Aelius automatically led back to Asteria. I thought of her enough as it was, dammit! Even here, flying through the skies, I wondered to myself if she’d flown yet. She’d always loved the sky and had coveted wings as much as she had freedom.
I valued her spirit, as much as it must have seemed otherwise. She wouldn’t have been any fun without it!
I had never really appreciated the ability to fly. Asteria’s desire to made me realize I had always just taken it as my gods given right. It was only in learning how shit the gods truly are that I realized itwasa right, just not gifted from them. It wasmine. And unlike my magic, they couldn’t do a Tartarus damn thing to take it away from me.
So I let myself enjoy it, hoping despite myself that Asteria was enjoying it too. Though my mood darkened when I considered who she might be flyingwith.
Or… wait…
It wasn’t just my mood darkening.Coming from the capital, billowing black smoke clouds rose into the air. I narrowed my eyes, a snarl already starting as I headed straight for what was surely another feeble slave-led insurrection against me.
Chapter Twenty-seven
Asteria
Calix had ultimately wonthe argument about how many guards to bring with us to Sunrise. Since we’d be flying to avoid detection and traveling swiftly, only a few of his most trusted, whom he was willing to have on his back, came with us.
Neither of us was comfortable having me fly with passangers. Not when I still got distracted from time to time, and forgot to flap my wings. The heart-dropping fall out of the sky was a rush, no doubt, but for Nox’s sake, I wasn’t willing to accidentally kill someone.
That would be super embarrassing.
For me and whoever fell.
We were getting my things gathered for the trip to Sunrise when a knock on the door had me looking up from the items Delia and Priscilla were helping me choose from. Delia quickly ran to the door, so I went back to packing until I realized I could smell Calix.
My head snapped up just as he walked through the door to my bedroom. He was dressed down in just a loose shirt and tight pants, but it still made my mouth water.
“There’s no way you missed me so much already you couldn’t wait an hour.” I teased, tilting my head to the side.
He laughed, his smile bright as he shook his head at me. He tilted his head toward the door, extending his hand out to me, “Come with me for a second?”
I bit my lip, looking to Priscilla, who was trying to hide her smirk. I hadn’t explicitly told anyone what had happened yet. We just hadn’t had the time. But I couldn’t help my smile as I stepped closer and took his hand. He laced our fingers together as he led me from my rooms.
“Where are we going?” I asked, looking up at him curiously.
He smirked slightly. “I have something for you.”
“What is it?” I raised my brow expectantly.
He chuckled warmly, but a hint of something mischievous remained in his eyes. “It’s a surprise.”
When I opened my mouth to ask further questions, he continued, “Meaning I won’t tell you.” He laughed. “You’re not very good at surprises, are you?”
