Airess pursed her lips in contemplation, “Then I wouldn’t blame them for trying. The crown could view them as rebels, but perhaps they were revolutionaries.”
Clap!
Clap!
Clap!
The sound of applause startled Airess and Taryn out of their conversation, their heads whipping to the source of the noise.
“My apologies. I’d hate to interrupt whatever…thisis.” Eryx’s cool voice beckoned from another room. Taryn’s blood turned to ice as he moved next to Airess instinctively.
How the fuck did he get in here? How did Taryn not hear him?
Footsteps grew louder until Eryx came into view.
“Oh, Taryn. You are a hard male to find. I hope you’ve had a fabulous field trip away from the Guild you swore anoathto.” Eryx said, a taunt laced in his tone. His eyes slid to Airess, a greedy curiosity in his eyes.
Taryn bared his teeth at the way Eryx looked at her, as if she were a piece of meat. “Don’t eventhinkabout laying a hand on her.”
Eryx waved his hand, “I won’t have to. No need to get burned alive fromLightborneMagick. I couldn’t help overhear your conversation about your parents, Lady Haeleth. Or is that your real name?” Eryx laughed.
Airess stepped forward next to Taryn. “What did you just say?”
“Perhaps I should give you the closure you deserve. It seems fitting, after all, considering I’m the one who planned to assassinate the Crown with your mother.”
Taryn could practically feel the rage seeping off of Airess in waves.
“It was your father who connected your mother and I, you see. I was astounded by Aesira’s ferocity, her grit, and willingness to stoop so low in order to get what she wanted. I simply could not refuse such an ambitious female,” Eryx continued with a smirk. “She came to me with a brilliant plan to get rid of the Luciens once and for all, promising me my rightful throne in exchange for protection. Such a shame she got caught, but that’s neither here nor there.”
Airess’ body trembled with a rage Taryn had never seen.
“Fuck you,” she spat, voice wavering. Eryx waved a hand, dismissing the comment. He flattened a hand over his garments, standing tall. “I did not come here to sling insults or cause anger. I have come here with a proposition.”
Alarm bells rang in Taryn’s mind. He knew exactly what Eryx was going to offer. Taryn wouldn’t–couldn’tallow her to go down that path.
“I don’t carewhatyou have to offer–”
Eryx held a finger up to cut Airess off. “I’ll tell you everything I know about you and your mother, only if you join my cause.”
Airess didn’t hesitate. “Absolutely not. I will never help you.”
Eryx shook his head slowly, a deep chuckle rumbling in his chest. “I urge you to reconsider your words. You have no idea what kind of power I possess. This is your last chance to accept my offer.”
Airess boldly took a step forward. “I know exactly what kind of man you are. You use witchcraft to compel your Guild members into submission. I won’t have any part in that.”
Eryx stared Airess down. The Guildmaster’s face twitched, ever so slightly, but just enough to let Taryn know she had disappointed him. Did Eryx truly think he would convince her? Did he know something Taryn didn’t?
“Perhaps you won’t have any part of it, for now. Alas, you have made your decision, and I have made mine. Let me show you what it means to be my enemy.”
With a cold sneer, Eryx called on Taryn’s Oathmark. The dragon tattoo ignited into a glow, searing Taryn’s skin ever so slightly. Taryn hissed, shuffling on his feet despite the rising pain. Airess looked between him and Eryx. Her face fell, melting into fear. She returned to Taryn’s side and gripped his arm, steadying him.
Realization dawned on Eryx, no doubt seeing the extent of Taryn and Airess’ relationship. “Oh my, you two have grown quite fond of one another.”
Eryx paced slowly, like an animal hunting its next victim. “I’ll sweeten the deal of my previous offer. You come with me, girl, and I’ll release this male from his Oath. I would hate to cause any bloodshed.”
Taryn shook his head. “She will do no such thing.”
“Very well,” Eryx said. He raised his fist and squeezed. Taryn fell to his knees and clenched his jaw, refusing to cry out as the Oath Mark's seared his flesh.
