Umemri’s head tilted toward me, studying me as one of those thick appendages curled forward, reaching for my face. I looked up at him as he came for me. I was disgusted at the thought of him touching me, but I refused to flinch away. Power suddenly entered the room, the beloved familiarity of it making me spin toward the entrance.
I heard the two skeleton guards coming down the tunnel, marching in unison. They were nothing more than shadows in the gloom, but I was entirely focused on the silver eyes glowing eerily in the darkness. My heart pounded, so gods damned happy to see him. I knew it was silly. We had only been apart mere minutes, but gods, I had missed him. He wasn’t just my husband and best friend, but a part of me, and as joy filled me, I realized that even a second away from my amata made me irritable.
“Touch her, and it will be the last thing you do,” Samkiel said, and his tone left no doubt that he meant every word. He strode into the cavern with powerful arrogance, his chin held high in a den of snapping beasts ready to cut him down for merely existing. He was every inch the fearless, formidable World Ender the legends spoke of. I never loved him more.
It was evident that Isaiah and Samkiel had gotten into some sort of physical altercation. Samkiel must have cleaned them up because their clothes looked damn near brand new, but I could see the healing bruises and split knuckles.
“It is customary to bow before the king,” Eryx said as Samkiel came to my side, and Isaiah went to Kaden’s.
“I see no king here,” Samkiel answered. His eyes flicked to Kaden and Isaiah in both warning and irritation. “And even if there were, kings do not bow before kings. So my brothers and I will remain standing. We do not bow.”
He used the wordbrother, and no matter how Kaden and Isaiah tried to hide it, I felt a flicker of some unreadable emotion down the strings of the bond split between the four of us, a soft tug at the proclamation that vanished as quickly as it came. I knew Samkiel was using it to show a unified front and not out of familial love, but that word alone from his lips had sparked something, even if the flame had quickly smothered itself out.
Umemri’s lips twitched as the tension in the room sharpened and became as dangerous as any weapon. “Ah, there it is. The famed arrogance of the gods, and you proudly display it in a court that would gladly have your head. Is it hubris, lightbringer?”
Samkiel’s eyes bored into Umemri with lethal intensity. “I prefer confidence.”
Power bounced between the two, the magnitude of it making my stomach turn. How strong was Umemri? Samkiel handled disrespect the same way he handled threats. Terribly. I placed a steadying hand on his arm, hoping to ground him and keep him from separating one of these princes’ heads from their shoulders.
“World Ender,” Umemri said it like a curse. “What a peculiar name the gods have bestowed upon you. Especially for one meant to bring peace.”
“Remember that the next time one of your kin makes a pass at my wife,” Samkiel seethed.
My eyes widened, and I let out an exasperated sigh. Of course, that would be the first thing he’d bring up while facing down the court of the Otherworld. Umemri slowly turned to look at Eryx, who lifted his hands in a negligent shrug.
Morana started to laugh. The slow, seductive sound curled from her, and I swore it reached in and touched the marrow of my bones.
“It seems he is everything the stories say, Brother. The stories also spoke of your beauty, son of Unir.” She leaned forward, placing her chin on the top of her hand, one long, lean leg crossed over the other. “It’s a pleasure to witness it in person,” she purred.
This bitch. Was she flir—
Samkiel didn’t even spare her a glance. “I cannot say the same,” he said, his eyes still locked on Umemri.
A dark, wicked laugh burst from Eryx. Morana hissed at the insult and glared at her brother. It seemed even Otherworld siblings squabbled.
“Enough,” Umemri snapped at them both, and just like that, all humor fled. His tentacles twisted behind him in agitation as he looked at us. Samkiel moved his body ever so slightly, both giving me space and acting as my shield. Power rolled from Samkiel, generating the beginnings of a thunderstorm.
“I’m glad you are here,” Umemri said to Samkiel. “I tried to get your attention before, but you’re a hard man to get a hold of.”
“Oh?” Samkiel said, his tone so calm he sounded nearly bored.
“Yes. Did you not like my gifts?”
We both paused, remembering the burned mark and runes in the forest.
“Sorry, I’ve been busy. Usually, my opponents have the guts to visit me themselves, not send their lackeys.”
Morana laughed as Umemri seethed. He glanced at her, but she didn’t so much as drop her smile.
“He thinks you’re weak, Brother,” she purred. “Shall we show him what happens to the gods who visit the Otherworld? “
My head whipped toward her, a low growl rising in my throat. “Please,” I said, fangs showing. “Please, try it.”
“You used Oblivion in the Otherworld.” Umemri’s nails tapped against his thigh. “That is an act of war.”
“It was not. I was defending myself and mywife.” Samkiel’s jaw flexed as he said the last part. I knew it was more than just an announcement of who I was to him. He was letting them know that if they threatened or touched me, he’d answer in blood. “It was not an act of war, but I can show you one if you’re looking for a reason.”
Aeron shifted on his throne at the mention of war, and I shot him a wary glance. He remained relaxed, watching the conversation with a slightly bored look, but he had the good sense to remain quiet.
