“Of course. I had thought that was already part of the plan. We're doing this together.”
He turns away from me and heads for the railing of the balcony, spreading his arms wide across it and hanging his head.
“What I'm going to ask you is a lot. More than I deserve from you.” There is a pleading in his voice that he's never had before, and it kills me.
“Whatever you ask of me, if it's within my capabilities to do so, the answer will always be yes.” This feeling came on so fast, butthe moment we passed out of the Smog, I became acutely aware that I would walk across burning coals for this male.
“When we face Invidia, I need you to be there. I need you to promise me you will try to heal my mother…after.”
The muscles in my shoulders tense, and I resist rolling the dread from them. I knew this was coming. Had already assumed it would be my role in all this after Hydreos had handed the dagger back to me. I would do anything for the male standing in front of me, but will he still want me if I'm not able to give him what I know he wants so desperately?
“Of course I'll be there. And I promise I will do everything I can to save your mother.” Even as I say it, my stomach plummets into my toes.
There are so many unknowns. We can't know if the curse will end when Invidia is trapped within the askios stone, though Hydreos has assured us it will. But the thing I refuse to consider or even say out loud is what if—after we stab her in the heart—there is nothing left of Queen Daphne to save?
Arina
Going from the glittering beauty and calm of the sea god's realm to the ship on the dark, raging sea has me wishing half-heartedly to go back and forget this part of the world exists at all.
“Turns out the sssea god wasss merciful after all, eh girly?” A voice hisses at me from a neighboring ship as we board. Trisay.
My mouth grows dry as I turn to face her, and I find the ocean surrounding us is filled with ships. Trisay's vessel is closest and stands out like a shadow among the glittering, pristine boats of the Clestrayan armada.
Raiden wraps a comforting hand around my upper arm. “Ignore her. She will not dare to harm us,” he says in my ear.Then, loud enough for the words to reach the trolls, he yells, “Not if she wishes to keep that revolting head of hers!”
I dig my claws into the skin of his arm, silently begging him not to provoke her already.
“Besides,” a thunderous voice says from behind us, “She is the least of your worries.”
A silver-haired male with a black-streaked beard and dark eyes stands with his arms crossed, showing off his huge, sun-kissed biceps.
“Father.” Lavinia bows her head, and Raiden shocks me by releasing me and dropping to his knees.
“Your Majesty,” Raiden murmurs.
It's the most respect I've seen the male show another, and it scares the shit out of me.
King Gideon eyes me before speaking. “The two of you have a lot of explaining to do.”
Raiden rises to his feet at the same moment Lavinia speaks. “Father, this is Arina Chiron. She is a healer from Lukasia, and she is also Raiden's mate.” The last part comes out a soft whisper.
I stare intently at the male, holding my breath, and waiting for his response.
The lines at the edges of his eyes crease, and he laughs, deep and booming in the misty ocean air.
When he moves, I flinch, but Raiden holds fast when Gideon wraps him in a bone-crushing hug.
“Your mate! Dear boy, why didn't you mention that in your letter?” He holds Raiden at arm's length, taking him in. “You didn't think we'd let you out of it, did you? Mates? True mates? That trumps any arrangement. Come, let's go below and you three can catch me up on things.” I make a note to ask Raiden whether mating bonds are a very common occurrence or not.
Based off King Gideon’s reaction, my money is on no.
When the mountain of a man takes the lead, we follow obediently. Raiden's eyes catch mine, and I raise my eyebrows in a silent question. He lifts his shoulders in response, splaying his hands wide before him.
It strikes me then that maybe Lavinia's parents and Hydreos would let her out of the deal she's made if she found her mate. The thought has me buzzing, excited to fill my friend in and get her thoughts.
But it will have to wait, because we have a war to strategize.
Once we're settled at a small table below deck, Raiden and Lavinia take turns explaining things to Gideon.
