“Your manners certainly leave much to be desired, dear one. But not to worry. I shall introduce myself. Welcome to my home.” His eyes meet mine and then Lavinia's. “The god of the sea has many names, but I prefer Hydreos.”
“To what do I owe the pleasure, my child?” he asks, but does not take his eyes from Lavinia.
“I've come to collect on the favor you've promised. We have the askios stone, and now we require your army and your assistance in dealing with Invidia." Raiden says, fingering the glass in front of him with an air of nonchalance.
He might as well be speaking another language, because I have no idea what he's talking about.
The sea god eyes him. “This is of no great consequence to me.” He flicks his wrist, bored.
“You said you would help me. You gave me your word.” Raiden clenches his hands on the table, and I know he's resisting slamming his fists down on the wood, but he can't hide the anger from his voice.
“And I will. But there's something more I require. I think you may have already guessed that her blood would be a bargaining chip, my son.” Dread grips my chest, and I flash back to the moment with the Huri. When they said my blood was poison. This is it. My true purpose in all of this. I'm nothing more than a pawn. But Hydreos' next words are unexpected. “She is the heir to the Clestrayan throne, is she not?”
The air is sucked from the room when Raiden's resolve fractures, and he hangs his head before answering, “This was not our deal. I never would have brought her here had I thought you would pull something like this!”
“You disappoint me, dear one. A demi-god should know better. There will always be a more … attractive deal waiting in the wings. It is not my fault you didn't consider every possibility before bringing her down here.”
“What is he talking about?” The words fly from my mouth.
Hydreos' laugh is unnerving, and the weight of his gaze on me is invasive. I don't know how Lavinia could stand it.
“You see, I have more than one son." Hydreos gestures to the stone-faced blue-haired male sitting across from us. "And the prospect of my offspring occupying two thrones in the fae realm is too tempting to pass up."
Ohhh. I give the god a mental mark in the positive for being honest about his plans, at least.
“And if I refuse to accept it?” Raiden challenges, but the sea god laughs. It's deep and monstrous, the sound coming from every angle.
“It's not your proposition to refuse,” Lavinia says, appraising the demi-god at Hydreos' side.
“Livvy, I can't let you do this—" Raiden starts, but Lavinia holds up a finger, closing her eyes as if she's really considering allowing Hydreos to use her in such a fucking despicable way. My heart aches for my new friend who so blatantly values love above everything else. She deserves better than the male across from us who's appraising her now, determining her value based on looks alone, no doubt.
Hydreos chuckles softly, amused at Lavinia's defiance. “The real question is, will your father bless the match?”
“Father will have no choice.” Lavinia gives a soft smile. “How could he refuse the prospect of passing his throne to a demi-god? I fear it is my mother you will have to sway.”
“Very good! The matter is settled, then. The Clestrayan princess will marry my son, Anyxander. And I shall aid your endeavor to end the reign of Invidia, the demon-goddess, over Lukasia.” It's said as though he might snap his fingers and have it done.
“I do not wish to shed unnecessary blood, but will you send word to the other gods? Will they help us should we need it?” Raiden asks.
“I make no promise, but I shall inquire with them,” Hydreos agrees, and Raiden relaxes in his seat just slightly. "May I see it?" the sea god asks, and Raiden looks to me.
“What?” I whisper.
“The dagger,” Raiden says. “He wants to see it. The stone in the pommel is special. Rare.”
I hesitate, but pull my dagger from its sheath with a shaking hand and give it over to Raiden, albeit a little reluctantly.
The blade looks like a toothpick in the god's hands as he considers it. He rubs one large thumb over the stone, and I wonder how many more surprises and secrets the prince of Lukasia has in store for me.
“This is a very powerful tool. In the wrong hands, and with the proper activation, it could be the catalyst to pandemonium throughout the realms.”
“Will you activate it for us?” Raiden asks, and Hydreos' eyes snap to him.
“You are prepared to deal with the possible consequences of taking this route? Your mother might not survive it.” Hydreos' bright eyes are dulled.
“One life in the place of so many would be worth it. Besides, I have a powerful healer on my side.” Raiden's hand squeezes my upper thigh, sending sparks shooting low in my belly.
The sea god turns his attention to me. “It will take a powerful healer, indeed, to mend a broken heart. I hope you are up for the challenge.”
