Braxis scowled at my angel.
“I've seen bigger,” Everan said sardonically.
Everyone swung their heads toward him in surprise.
“They're called Trolls,” Ever added.
I snorted a laugh. Then I considered it. “Actually, that's true, Waluk is much bigger than Braxis.”
“Who is this Waluk?” Braxis demanded, managing to look intimidating, even though he was still on his knees.
“A friend,” I said.
“ATroll,” Everan said as if it were obvious. “He wants my wife too but, unlike you, he understands that he can't have her.” In an even more snide tone, he added, “Waluk knows his place.”
Braxis lifted his chin.
“Braxis, meet King Everan Lucara of the Southern Kingdom of Danu.” I waved a hand at Everan.
The men eyed each other.
“Get up, Braxis,” Malik huffed irritably.
“Not until I have an answer.”
“To what?” Malik scowled at him.
“He just asked for your forgiveness,” I growled at my men. “This is not easy for him. In case you haven't noticed, he's not the kind of man who kneels. So, at least give him some kind of response.”
“We don't know how to respond because we don't know if we can trust you,” Everan said to Braxis. “And frankly, we don't have time for this. You abducted my wife just when she was needed desperately in our realm. I must get her back to Danu immediately.”
Braxis stood and declared, “I will accompany you and assist.”
Everan laughed scornfully.
The laughter became hollow as my vision shifted into the memory I had glimpsed before. The flash of fiery hair came again but this time, the vision unfolded fully. I saw Braxis with me in Danu. We were standing before a Danutian cell, or at least, he was. I seemed to be on the other side of the bars and my perspective was lower so that he loomed above me. Then Braxis started to speak and a silver glow seeped from his lips. I gasped as I came out of the vision and stumbled forward.
“Amara!” It was Braxis who caught me but he quickly released me into the arms of my furious lovers and held up his hands to placate them.
“I'm fine.” I eased out of their embrace. “I...” I looked at Braxis. “He needs to come with us.”
“What?” Everan growled, his eyes flashing.
“What did you see?” Cyprian asked urgently. “Was it more of that vision you received when you were a goddess?”
“You were a goddess?” Braxis' eyes went wide, then his brow lifted and he snorted. “Of course, you were.”
“It's not how it sounds,” I said to Braxis before looking back at my men. “And yes, I remembered more. Everan, I saw him with us in Danu. He was using the Silver Tongue to help us. I think we need him. I think... I think that everything that has happened has been leading to this moment. Braxis has been brought here for a reason.”
“You still have the Silver Tongue?” Kyrian asked Braxis angrily, ignoring everything else that I said. “Give it to me! That's a Triari relic!”
“Kyrian, I just said that he needs to use it in Danu!” I snapped.
Kyrian frowned and blinked. “Why can't I use it in Danu?”
“I don't know but I'm not about to mess with a vision I received in the realm of the Gods,” I growled.
Kyrian grimaced and relented. “Very well, but I want it back afterward, Bleiten.”
