“You’ll never have to make that decision. Together, we are strong enough to battle any storm that comes our way.” I braced my hand on his chest and pushed up, slanting my lips over his in a chaste kiss. “Even the ones you make.”
A small smile brushed across his lips. I wiped at the tear that slipped across his cheek, and he gently gripped my wrist to place a kiss on my palm.
“Was it bad?” he asked hesitantly, as if speaking it out loud made it real. But I understood his need to know. “What you felt?”
“Honestly?” I shrugged. “No, it was merely a second. I don’t think I was gone long enough for my brain to process it. It was like a blink.”
He lowered his head, nodding solemnly. “I’ll never forgive myself.”
“You did nothing wrong.”
He looked as though he didn’t believe me, but said, “You are bound to them, and they to you. I hate this entire situation, but I cannot risk you as much as I hate them.”
“I know.” I nodded.
“And so my enemies become my friends,” he said with a hint of malice biting at his tongue. “For now.”
My hand splayed on his biceps, fingers dancing over the heavy muscle. “So, what does Death want? What’s our plan?”
He told me everything Death had said, what he mocked and threatened. By the time he was done, I was snickering.
“It’s not funny,” he said, his eyes flat.
“Oh, but it is,” I said. “We just go to the Otherworld for this stupid medallion, and what, Death lets us all off the hook? I don’t buy it.”
Samkiel scowled. “Me either, but first things first. We need to see Killium.”
Now it was my turn to be confused. “Why?”
“I need my ring. Oblivion is growing far too volatile, and from what he said and showed me, I cannot risk it,” Samkiel said, looking toward the empty spot on his finger. “I am too unpredictable without it.”
“Okay,” I said, pushing at him, trying to roll him off me. “We start there.”
He pulled out of me and shifted to the side, but kept his arm around me, holding me in place. “Where are you going?” he demanded.
My lips twitched. “To shower and interrogate our prisoners, then we’ll head to see your magical friend. You know our plan.”
“Not yet.” He tugged me to him, chest to chest, his lips claiming mine in a kiss filled with desperation and love.
43
IMOGEN
Alow mechanical buzz vibrated against my feet as the warship we were on soared through the sky. I sat in the emptiness of my mind, having long given up on trying to reclaim control over my body. The guards had shown up after Samkiel’s light had torn through the sky, and Isaiah disappeared. I grimaced at the thought, disgusted with myself for how hurt I felt that Isaiah had abandoned me after saying he would protect me. Perhaps I was a toy to him, too, and he just grew tired of me. I hated myself for even caring. He was a murderer, the worst of the worst, and an accomplice to Samkiel’s death. My only feelings toward him should be contempt, yet when the back of his knuckles caressed the side of my face, tucking my hair behind my ear, it was the first time I had felt anything since my capture.
I stood with my back straight and my arms held at my sides as they spoke, staring at wings of the purest white flecked with gold. They belonged to Milani, the Queen of Trugarum. She had the largest fleet the realms had ever seen, and ruled the sky, every sky, with her enormous armada. Nismera was all too happy to bestow wealth, jewels, and gifts upon Milani, including selling me to her like I was some kind of guard dog. Her generosity was reflected in the extravagant finery and tech that surrounded us.
This ship was her primary residence and the size of a small city. The massive windows in this room showcased the beautiful sky and clouds. The sunlight pouring in seemed drawn to Milani, dancing off the gold in her wings and highlighting her ethereal beauty. It would be awe-inspiring if I didn’t know what a cunt she was back when she was nothing more than her father’s pampered princess. That was back when she and Samkiel had their brief fling, which likely led to the allegiance that resulted in this. If only he had known what he was actually offering her in their trade.
“Why do we keep her?” Ennis, Milani’s sick and twisted brother, asked, tossing his head toward me. Her smile was an angelic, pure thing, but it was a lie. She was anything but angelic, and the idea of her being pure was laughable. Her brunette hair was pulled to the sides with two large feathered clips, mirroring the intricacy of her armor. Her breastplate flared across her chest, coming to points at her shoulders. Stylized, white double wings, matching those in her long, luxurious hair, were embedded in the gold pauldrons. Her wings flared behind her as she stepped down from the massive dais.
“Nismera’s orders. Apparently, she is what they are looking for, and if she is here with us, well … How do you catch any beast?” She stopped in front of me, flicking her nail under my chin. “You set a trap.”
My stomach dropped.
“I’m surprised you haven’t bruised her up by now, Sister,” Ennis said.
Milani’s smile was sweet and cute to those who did not know the vindictive bitch she was.
