Back then, I had been willing to do anything, sacrifice everything, for my kingdom and my people. But my strong, selfless woman had wished for my freedom, and now, it wasn’t the innocent lives of strangers I feared for, but my perfect Solis. She wanted me, and I would never let her go, nothing would stop me from keeping her forever.
Not the Gods. Not the so-called king. And certainly not my brother.
The earth shuddered once more, and the final remaining demons escaped their prison. When the vibrating stopped, my body still shook, threatening to collapse in exhaustion.
Terym gleefully approached my brother, and I bared my teeth; if I had any energy left, I would launch myself at him. Show him exactly what I was capable of now that my bonds to the lamp hadbroken. He forced himself on her, hurt her in unforgivable ways, and the pain I inflicted wasn’t enough.
It would never be enough.
He tried to command my brother, but Bastian didn’t bow to anyone, least of all a man who offered nothing but a title—one my brother didn’t need.
Through the dusty haze lingering in the air, Adelia still clutched her sister’s body on the opposite side of the room. She needed to get her far away from my brother and his manipulations.
Movement out of my peripheral caught my attention, Pierce was helping a limping Wista out from under some rubble.
I commanded my familiar shadows, darker and stronger now that the Gods’ magic no longer suffocated me. I nudged Pierce with them subtly, drawing his attention while Bastian remained distracted by Terym. I inclined my head toward Adelia, who stared at the scene unfolding before us in wide-eyed horror. Pierce sent a short nod, and together, he and Wista made their way toward my reason for living, using the rubble and fallen bodies to remain hidden.
Demons of fire and shadow danced through the air excitedly. Some remained to watch the show while others disappeared up the steps. They would be his scouts, the ones to report on the world above the surface so he could begin planning.
When a shadow demon gutted Terym, a euphoric warmth heated my veins. Although I would have enjoyed prolonging his suffering, I was beyond satisfied he no longer breathed the same air as my Solis. Terym’s lifeless body fell to the ground, and Bastian focused his attention on me. “Now that that’s taken care of. Brother, what a predicament we find ourselves in.”
My muscles locked. I would keep my brother occupied to give the others time to get Adelia out and far away from here.
“I should kill you for locking me in that Gods forsaken place for a millennium. But I think playing with you will be much more—” He flashed a grin so reminiscent of our childhood, nostalgia momentarily stunned me. Moments of play and teasing flashed through my mind. “Satisfying.”
He circled me while I knelt at his feet, exactly where he always wanted me to be. “You always did like your games.”
Bastian laughed, harsh and mocking. “How could I not? You were too easy to beat.”
“What now, Bastian? You’ll destroy me and take your place as king? This world isn’t what you know, a lot of time has passed.” Movement caught Bastian’s attention before he could respond.
“What’s this?” My heart plummeted, and I followed his gaze to where Adelia and Wista crouched, partially hidden by rubble. Two shadow demons landed behind them, and the women ran forward to put distance between them.
Adelia’s beautiful eyes met mine, pools of green and gold laced with pain and fear. I schooled my expression; Bastian couldn’t know who she was to me.
Out in the open, he perused the two women, but his eyes lingered on Adelia, zeroing in on her bleeding hands. “You’re the one. It’s you I must thank for my freedom it seems.” His neutral tone gave no indication to how he felt about it.
Adelia’s face flashed, her inner fire dancing across her face.Rein it in, I begged silently. If she gave him her anger, he would take it as a challenge. It wasn’t a fight we could win.
“It wasn’t intentional, believe me.”
Bastian’s face was hidden from me, but his shoulders stiffened.
Fuck.
“I was going to let you live. But now …”
His hands shifted, and a fire demon blared brightly behind Adelia, expanding into humanoid form. The gold in Adelia’s eyesbrightened, acceptance settling onto her features when her gaze latched on to me.
No.
My magic burst from me, acting before conscious thought in a wave of darkness, smothering the demon threatening Adelia’s life. I relished in the magic pulsing in my veins, and I pulled energy from the air, filling me entirely and restoring my body from exhaustion.
Bastian’s low chuckle rang through the retreating smog. “How transparent you are brother.”
I leapt to my feet, my muscles spasmed in rage and fatigue. Still, I pulled my smoke tighter, drawing it closer to me and the threat against the one I loved with everything I had. He wouldn’t hurt her. She wasmine,and I would sacrifice everything to keep her safe.
Tendrils coiled tight, poised for attack while Bastian formed his signature ball of static light.
