He snatches my left hand and stares at my engagement ring. His bottom lip trembles. "You're marrying him?" The question comes outwhispered,broken.
"Yes," I say without hesitation. "I love him."
A rogue tear slips down his face."You love him?" he says so lowly I almost miss it. His mind is whirling.
Although I expect him to be fueled with anger, transform into his beast form and do something horrible, he surprises me. He releases my hand and thumbs thetearfrom his cheek. "I will send someone down to take care of your friend."
"What?"
"I will save him," he says, eyes pinned on Nyx.
"Why?" I ask, grateful and confused he's suddenly willing to help.
But Bastiandoesn'tanswer me. He turns on his heel and marches up the steps, his shoulders heavy and demeanor broken. Within minutes, just as Bastian promised, a Soul EaterI'venever seen before begins to clean the gashes andcutsVesper inflicted on Nyx. Ittakeshours, but the demon stops Nyx's bleeding. He slaps ointments and salves on his wounds before bandaging his entire torso.
"That will stave off any infection," the demon announces, wiping his hands with the towel draped over his shoulder.
"Will he live?" My voice trembles.
His red-rimmed eyes meet mine. He nods. "He will live. For now."
"For now?" I croak. "What does that mean?"
The Soul Eater rises to his feet, packing his medical belongings in a satchel. Hedoesn'tlook my way when he says, "Soon,we willreturntothe portal. Once we use your blood to open it, you both will be at the mercy of our king."
Icy fear streaks through me. "You listen to Bastian."
The demon laughs, the hissing sound grating on my frayed nerves. "We only serve one master and that is not Bastian."
"What will your king do with Bastian once I've opened the portal?"
“Who knows?”He zips his bag and finally meets my eyes. "If I had to guess,Bastianwillbe given a choice. Serve the master. Or die with you and yourfriend."
"Does Bastian know?"Surelyhedoesn't. No way in Bastian's right mind would he agree to those terms. Not when he was so adamant about us ruling together.He'sone to give orders, not take them.
The demon grins. "He will soon enough." Unwilling to listen to or answer any more of my questions, the Soul Eater trots up the stairs.
Fuck. Bastian is walking into a trap. But is he?Maybe he'swilling to serve the Demon King.Maybe healready weighed his options and was determined to unleash chaos for a piece of the spoils as a loyal servant.
I swallow hard, glancing at Nyx with sorrow in my heart. One way or another,I'llhave to figure out a way to save us beforeit'stoo late.
Thirty-Eight
Atlas
My uncle decided to forgo a traditional royal funeral in light of the chaos our city endured. There are over a thousand citizens dead and more reported missing. It didn't seem appropriate to lay Aunt Esme in an open coffin and parade her through the city for the people to offer their condolences. So, we kept her funeral small and private. Honestly, I think she would have preferred it that way. Once her body was laid to rest, the rest of us joined my uncle and Ronan in his throne room.
"What is the plan?" My uncle asks, the deep bags underneath his eyes noticeable from a good distance. He needs rest.
Thrane steps forward. It's the first time I've seen the Frost Elves don black. A great respect for our queen. "Send Atlas and Sylvane east to Midori. They can start their rescue mission by interrogating the Kitarnis."
Everyone stills. As if it was quiet enough, I can hear Ronan breathing heavily beside his father.
"Send a fleet with them for support. The threat to our dragons has decreased since the Soul Eaters had a bit of a head start on us," Thrane continues.
"And what will you do?" Ronan asks, eyes bloodshot from lack of sleep and swollen from crying.
"Astrea Talay has taken Eris. She is also responsible for aiding the Soul Eaters' attack on your city," the Frost Elf clasps his hands behind his back, tilting his chin higher. "She has an unhealthy addiction to using her storm brewing magic to sink ships. Sending any of your vessels south would be a huge mistake."
