Surprised by the question, Aeacus paused before answering. “Yes. Of course she did. Our queen would have done anything to save her people.”
The horror Elpis maidens faced—the people believed it was a necessary sacrifice. My eyes fell to Aethra.
Would this quest cost her life, too? All this time, I’d spoken to her of foolish hope, when her fate might be to pay the ultimate price.
Her eyelids fluttered as she regained consciousness. Feeling his captive stir, Aeacus grabbed her wrist and twisted it. A horrible crack followed.
“This is all you are capable of, Set,” Aeacus breathed. “Bringing death to those you love.”
Shrieking, Aethra grabbed at her arm, and the blade dug deeper into her neck. Blood dripped from the wound, trailing down her neck before dripping onto the floor. Aeacus’ lion rose from its pool, teeth barred as it crept toward us.
“Surrender,” Aeacus commanded. “And neither of you will need to suffer.”
My whirling mind calmed. If Seth still stood beside me, I could no longer see him. Aeacus centered my vision, a blur of black and red.
He was vulnerable. He’d erred by letting his guard drop. By allowing me into his mind.
Extending my hand, I saw him as no more than a tool. Subhuman. Deserving of pain and death.
Invisible strings laced through him, connecting him to me.
“Step away from her,” I said calmly.
Aeacus’ eyes glazed over, and his jaw fell slack. Releasing Aethra, he gently lowered her to the floor and stepped back.
“And call off your guard dog,” I said.
The lion bowed its head and lowered itself to the ground.
Seth leaped over the lion and grabbed Aethra, pulling her into his arms. He cradled her injured hand and wrapped his scarred wings around her shoulders, shielding her in their embrace.
Pulling off my helm, I let it tumble to the ground. Stalking toward the commander, I gave him another order. “Now kneel, before your prince.”
Aeacus flung his sword away and dropped to his knees, bowing his head in respect.
Stunned, Seth studied Aeacus before looking up at me. “El?” He asked.
“I have control of him,” I promised. “Would you like to kill him? Or should I?”
Gently resting Aethra against the statue, Seth drew his blade. “I’ve wanted to do this for ten years.”
The scarlet blade dragged across the floor as Seth stalked toward Aeacus. Slowly, he raised his blade above the commander’s head. His emotions flowed to me, clear as day.
This was the man who’d revealed his love’s magic. The man who’d beaten him relentlessly for nine long months.
Seth was going to revel in his bloodshed.
“Wait!” Aethra cried.
Seth paused, glancing back at her.
“We can use him. Think, Seth. The commander of the Hades Knights, underourcontrol.”
Considering the suggestion, Seth looked to me. “Can you hold him for that long?”
“No,” I gasped. Already, the spell was taking its toll. “But we could extract information from him. Use him to give orders, then kill him.”
Lowering his blade, Seth sighed. “You’re right. Aeacus doesn’t bend under physical pain like most people, but—” He knelt beside the commander. “He’s a loyal littlelapdog. Forcing him to betray his king and obey me would be a suitable punishment. And when he’s served his purpose? I’ll deal back to himeverythinghe did to me.”
