“It’s super fucking convenient that he just shows up here with the one thing we need.” I want to spit. I don’t like the idea of walking willingly into a trap.
“If he’s lying or playing us, you have my permission to gut him,” she says, putting her hands on either side of my face and pulling me down for a kiss.
“Are you using my attraction for you as a weapon, little snake?”
I miss her touch when she lets go and winks at me as she disappears back into the dungeon.
Arina
The atmosphere in the tunnels is somber. The soldiers from Ophis Isle and the Rhiza who came to fight if needed are quiet as they continue to clear the tunnels of destruction and prepare for battle.
It feels wrong to be stepping into the glittering black gown Raiden’s just pulled from his closet that just happens to be my size.
“How did you? Where did this come from?” I ask as he pulls the gown up my body and begins fastening it.
He’s standing behind me, and in the cracked, dusty mirror I watch as he leans in to kiss the side of my neck before speaking. “I had it made at the same time they made your gown for the tournament banquet.”
I am frozen in time, playing back the moment at the ball when he’d made the comment about my dress. “You …” But I don’t finish the thought. I just turn and wrap my arms around his neck, kissing him. I trace my thumb over the scar on his mouth.
“I hope you are always on the edge of madness when it comes to me,” I tease.
“Always.” He brushes his hands through my hair, pulling just a little, and a quiet moan escapes me.
Raiden releases me, but it looks as though he has something more to say.
“What is it?” I ask.
He looks at me, but then his eyes shift around the room. “I have another favor to ask.”
I grab his hands, hoping to reassure him that he can ask me anything.
“I’m wondering if you might allow me to … borrow your dagger.” His words stun me a little, but I’ve been waiting for him to bring it up. I already know my answer.
“No.”
He pulls his hands from me, looking as if I’ve stabbed him again. “Why not?”
“You want me there to heal your mother after you takemydagger and stab her in the heart? And my answer is no. It's my fucking dagger. I'm doing it.” I'm trying to keep my voice even, but there’s not a fucking chance I'm going to let him be the one to stab his own mother.
He doesn’t respond, but opens the door to lead us to the cave that holds my father’s throne.
The walk is painfully quiet, and I hate knowing I’ve upset him. This is one thing I will not back down from. I already carry the weight of my own mother’s passing. If I can carry this for him, then I will.
We reach the room, and he takes my hand once more, a sad smile playing on his lips.
I start to speak, but Raiden stops me before I make a sound.
“We can discuss this later,” he whispers, scanning the others coming into the room where I first met my father. The throne is chipped, the carved roots no longer connecting in the same way, and the dust from the cave-in still lingers. There are piles of obsidian littering the floor.
Raiden pulls me to the throne, wiping the dust and waving his hand for me to sit.
My eyes are slits as I determine whether to do as he suggests.
“Sit,” he says. “It’s time to take our first steps as leaders. You’re going to sit on a throne at the end of this no matter what.”
“Queen of death and shit?” I ask.
“Queen of whatever the hells you want,” he says with a smirk.
