He yanked me closer, so close I was pressed against him and I could feel… oh Gods…
Hands. What felt like hundreds were pressing into me.
Erethis must have seen the disgust on my face, because he laughed again, that horrid, glass-shattering rumble that churned my gut.
"The laws of the spatial realm demand its beings remain neutral to ensure fairness." His grin became more nightmarish."So, when you make a deal here, youhonorit. No tricks. No loopholes. Just pure, binding agreement. So, what say ye, my Lady?”
What choice did I really have? “I’ll do it. I’ll play your game, and I want my freedom if I win.”
“Deal.” The word came out like a lover’s whisper, and he closed his eyes for a moment, as if savoring the binding itself. It made me sick.
His hand fell away from my face, and he stepped back.
The moment he released me, the area around us shifted, expanding outward like something alive waking from sleep. The confined space stretched into a vast chamber, the earthy walls pulling back until I couldn't see where they ended.
And then, directly ahead of me, something rose from the ground.
A dais. Black stone, slick as oil.
Atop it was a throne.
A throne made entirely ofbones.
Skulls formed the back and arms, their empty eye sockets staring at nothing. Ribs curved into armrests. Femurs and finger bones twisted together in intricate, horrifying patterns.
Erethis crossed the space with inhuman grace and settled onto the throne, draping himself across it like he belonged there. His white hair spilled over his skeletal frame, and those red marble eyes locked onto me.
"Let the first trial begin."
Trial? The bastard really did make it sound like a game.
But the truth was, this was a fight to save my soul.
Chapter 30
Elariya
“The Price of Love”
Erethis gestured with one clawed hand, delight filling in his eyes. "Choose your weapon.”
Blessed Mother. Weapons?
The only reason I’d need a weapon was if I were going to fight. Foolishly, I’d hoped this would be some sort of riddles game. But of course, it wouldn’t be that if Erethis wanted to see what I could do.
Three weapons appeared before me, suspended in the air like offerings.
A bow. Sleek, elegant, and strung with something that gleamed like fire. It pulsed in the air like it was begging me to choose it. As interesting as that would be, I couldn’t. I was a terrible archer.
A set of throwing daggers were my next option. I decided against those, too, although they might have been the best choice for someone like me who didn’t know what the fuck they were doing.
I was sure I could throw a dagger easily enough, but it meant getting close to whatever was about to be unleashed on me.There was also the matter of throwing them and missing the mark. Then I might not get them back.
This place was ginormous. So, no. Daggers weren’t an option.
That left me with on choice.
My gaze drifted to a sword. A heavy, broad-bladed sword with a leather-wrapped hilt. It hung there, waiting.
