Fia nods. “In the meantime, I’ll send guards to Mount Ulra to stand watch over the grove and over Thamaos’s grave. If I didn’t need a remnant for his tree to release him, I would exhume that bastard myself and grind his bones to dust.”
I smile at her, though I’m tired and worried, so it’s a weak effort. “I’m glad to see you are still filled with your usual fire.”
Smiling back, she lifts her hand and near-translucent flames race down to her elbow. “Always.” She shakes her fingers, and the flames vanish as she sweeps her hand toward the courtyards. “Will you all attend the wedding? It would be an honor to have you.”
I tell myself that all this fear that’s eating at me is uncalled for, and yet I feel it even now, as though by attending an event at this palace is an omen for trouble. Lives were destroyed the last time I set foot here. But that’s a ridiculous notion. History cannot repeat itself with Asha and Neri in their graves.
“Yes,” I tell her. “We will come.”
60
NEPHELE
“I agree.”
I stare at Neri through the portal of Joran’s eyes. “You agree. Just like that?”
He huffs a laugh. “Yes. Just like that.”
“Tonight,” I repeat. “You will fly your godly ass to Quezira, give Colden his power back, and help him escape. Tonight.”
He leans back on the gilded desk in my chambers, smiling. “I will. I’ll leave shortly if you’d like, but I’ll need to lock Joran’s body up somewhere. You can have your sister check the waters when I return. Colden Moeshka will be a free man in exchange for you marching up to the Grove of the Gods after the fact and letting me walk you through the ritual to bring me back to life.”
I sit on the edge of my bed, wondering if dealing with a god is the worst thing I’ve ever done. “But once you’re resurrected,” I add, “you are mine to command. For as long as I live.”
Surely everyone will see the benefit in this. If only he could get through the Brotherhood’s barrier to reach the prince. Raina had said that Neri holds no power over the magick of men. Only his own and the magick he bestowed while he was alive. Perhaps he can reach the prince once he’s no longer bound to spirit form.
He smiles wider, his face full of satisfied seduction, his hands folded around the desk’s edge. “Yes. After you bring me back, I am all yours. I don’t see how this ends badly for me.”
Gods like permanence. That much I’m learning. They like things that are eternal or immortal or ageless. This deal will probably only last for the span of another forty years if I’m lucky, which is a lifetime for me, and but a breath in his existence. And yet he’s happy.
“Why are you so content to be my slave?”
He folds his arms over his chest and laughs aloud. “Are you serious? I want you. You’re giving yourself to me. Of course, I’m happy.”
I narrow my eyes and stand, fidgeting and nervous that I’ve already laid something out wrong, and that it might already be too late to change any of it.
“You are the one who will be obligated to me. To my wishes. To my commands. To my needs.”
He arches a brow. “Again. I do not see how this ends badly for me.”
I scrunch up my face. “Is sex all gods ever think about? That’s not what I mean. I do not want you for that, not ever.”
“Not all gods, but I’ve been known to fancy a pretty face and fiery temper. And the thing you don’t understand is that I have the power to sway your opinions of me. It won’t be very hard. It will most likely be much fun. Your wishes, commands, and needs will morph in time to exactly the kinds of wishes, commands, and needs I want to fulfill. If I must protect the Northlands at your order in the meantime, so be it.” He laughs again. “I never wanted to be a king, and I never seated kings or queens in my lands either, but I can see you wearing a crown, stalking around Winterhold during the day, then wearing nothing but that crown at night when you’re with me. This might be the best deal I’ve ever made, and I’ve made my share.”
Made. Meaning it’s already done. Gods’ death.
“First of all,” I tell him, closing the distance between us. “I will never take your wolf ass to bed.”
“I thought it was a godly ass. You really haven’t even seen it in its true form. I bet you change your mind.”
My eyes and nostrils flare. “Secondly, you are not allowed to pester me about this constantly.”
Another laugh. “You should have mentioned that in your deal. For now, I can do whatever I want. After I’m a living, breathing god and not wearing the skin of a pathetic man, you can command me to leave you alone. Until then, all is fair.”
Someone knocks on my door. I stalk across the room and answer. A maidservant stands in the hall wearing a bright smile and holding a silver platter with a small golden, glass jar and a lovely ecru envelope.
“From the queen,” she says.
