I sucked in a few deep breaths, each one washing away the memory of Ivy’s scent and replacing it with the disgusting smell of sulphur. Maybe I didn’t deserve to have the memoryof my mate, because if it weren’t for me, maybe she’d still be here.
A different feeling washed over me, making my stomach bottom out. “He’s here,” I managed, before darkness consumed my vision.
I won’t let go of you that easily, little brother,Dante said, his voice filling my head. I could almost imagine him standing in front of me wearing one of those arrogant smirks, like he’d won a game I had no idea I’d been playing.Soon, I’ll make you a deal you can’t refuse. Let that bitch vampire know.
My heart pounded as his dark, poisonous magic disappeared from the edges of my consciousness.
When I opened my eyes, there was nothing of him left in the back of my mind. But his words repeated until I could say them aloud. “He told me something,” I whispered, looking up to find Maeve’s red eyes on me. She didn’t move from the door, where Blythe hid behind her. “He said he won’t let go of me. But he wants to make us a deal. One we can’t refuse.”
Maeve’s eyes narrowed. “What deal?”
I shook my head, which thrummed with pain. “I don’t know,” I gasped, forcing my eyes shut again to keep the pain at bay. “He didn’t say. But he said it would happen soon.”
She growled, not responding right away. For a moment, I allowed myself the chance to breathe, to force him from my mind. I stopped thinking about his presence, always there, waiting for me to do anything that might trigger his appearance.
“If he comes back while I’m gone, tell him I’m waiting,” Maeve replied finally, voice strained. “We’re running out of time.”
Those last words, I realised, weren’t spoken to me. But I couldn’t bring myself to respond, not even as the door to my cell opened and closed, abandoning me to complete silence.
I knew Maeve and the others wouldn’t abandon me, but I couldn’t help but feel the isolation completely. I had no idea what they were planning, what they were doing for Ivy.
Darkness played behind my eyes, swirling like shadows. Ialmost willed the image of Ivy at her desk into my mind again, but fear had me keeping her away, so she wasn’t tainted by Dante. I didn’t want any part of her memory touched by him. I couldn’t risk him entering them and changing something.
But what if he already has?A chill rolled down my spine, and I opened my eyes to the darkness of my cell. For the first time since being brought here, I wished for light. I wished for hope.
There was nothing. Not with him having so much control over me.
I strained against the chains, even though I knew there was no point. They were sealed, bound to the witch who cast the spell. I wasn’t getting out of here until Blythe released me. She was the only one who would be able to undo the binds.
I searched the darkness, like Dante might be there, watching me. Waiting for me to lose control.
But there was nothing.
No feeling of being watched.
No presence in the back of my mind.
I was alone again with no escape. Forced into the isolating darkness with no hope of ever seeing beyond it.
Don’t worry, little brother, Dante whispered in the back of my head.I’ll always be here for you.
Not for the first time, I let myself cry.
29
Maeve
Guilt washed through me over leaving Adrian in his cell, especially knowing Dante had been right there the entire time, but fury had me stalking through the Elysian Palace for something else.
I wasn’t entirely sure what I was looking for. Someone to take my anger out on? A reason to unleash my fury? I couldn’t take it to Hyperion. The bastard was useless and barely breathing. And for now, we had no more of Dante’s soldiers in our grasps. None that would give me the pleasure of ripping out their throats, anyway.
I should have returned to Elias, but he wanted a chance to deal with Cyrus on his own. Rowan was busy with his research, and the demon king…
I had no idea what he was doing anymore.
No. I stopped at the top of the stairs that led into the main entrance of the palace. The last time I’d been here had been during the procession for the wedding. A wedding that seemed like a far-off dream.
Back then, I thought that would be the worst of our issues. Having to deal with the Elysian King laying claim to my mate in some strange pseudo bond.
