Horror fills her gaze. She was there during the Great War. She knows what Soul Eaters are capable of and I'm confident she's not stubborn or stupid enough to believe she can win a fight against me today. "What atrocities have you committed for Soul Eaters to be your allies? Soul Eaters are dangerous. You mustn't give them a foothold in your life, or they will destroy you."
Her warning falls on deaf ears. The Soul Eaters are the only ones who welcomed me for what I am without one judgmental thought or glance. Whether she wants to accept it or not, they are my family now.
"Destroy me?" I laugh. "They obey my voice. Follow my orders. I have nothing to fear."
"Until they have no more use for you." Her words pierce through me, as if she's seen inside my soul and pinpointed my greatest fear. I have always served a purpose, even to my bastard father. If I offer nothing useful, then of what value am I to anyone?
"They've lured you into a false sense of control, a false sense of security," she continues, her voice grave and ominous. "Demons do not serve mortals, Bastian. They never have. They never will. Had you headed our realm's history, you would understand that." There's hope in her eyes, as if her speech will convert me. "Whatever you've gotten yourself into, it's not too late to save yourself."
"Do not concern yourself with my well-being," I snap, my claws erupt from my hands, but I halt my complete transformation. She and the members of her court gasp. "Just like you, I have no time for puffed up pleasantries." I stompforward, reaching the base of the dais to stare up at her. "You have a choice to save your heir and find your missing daughter by agreeing to my terms. Or you will watch your oldest die here and now with the promise the same fate will befall the missing one once I get my hands on her."
Astrea straightens in her throne. Her eyes shift to Jocasta's throat. I must give credit where credit is due. Her heir hasn't flinched nor whimpered under duress. She's remained poised and stoic. If she survives today, I will have to watch my back. She's the type to wait for the perfect moment to seek revenge. And I will be the object of her ire.
"With your aid or not, we will find Eris." She's grasping at straws. It invigorates me.
"Because that's worked so well for you in the past." My sarcasm strikes her like a slap to the face.
She sucks in a deep breath, trying to buy herself time to figure out how she can come out on top. But I've been a step ahead of her this entire encounter. I am not easily defeated. "If I refuse your offer?"
"Then we will find another way to rescue my fiancé, and you can continue your search for your daughter."
Jocasta braces when the Soul Eater presses the knife against her throat, a small puncture drawing blood.
"And appoint your second-born to be your heir," I say simply, prepared to give the order to slit the girl's throat if necessary.
Do I want bloodshed? No, but if that's the only way to get what I want, then so be it. I've been a monster in secret my entire life. I suppose there's no use in hiding anymore.
I will rescue Shaye no matter what it costs me. Not just for her blood to open the portal, but because she's to be my wife and my queen. I just need her to remember we're meant to be. The Tronovians have brainwashed her, told her lies. Once she seesthe truth – that everything I've done is to ensure the safety and prosperity of our people – she will be mine again.
"So," I shatter the silence. Astrea's time is up. "Do we have a deal?"
Astrea flicks her eyes from the knife at Jocasta's throat to meet my gaze. Her shoulders droop. "We have a deal."
Twenty - Seven
Shaye
With Soraya Harland under the weather, Finn left early this morning to spend time with his parents, leaving Eris to man the apothecary shop solo. They'd gone back and forth this morning about it. Finn felt guilty she'd have to run the store on her own and said they should close for the day. Eris, stubborn as she is, refused to listen to him and opened the apothecary shop anyway. I'm sure she's trying to keep herself busy knowing the Hydrans, including her mother, will be attending Ronan's wedding.
At least, he's finally found a bride.
Atlas told me all about Viella and how he introduced her to Ronan. What shocked me most was how Ronan asked her to marry him, she originally declined. But after a few more dates, and an explanation for his hastiness, Viella agreed and they've been attached at the hip ever since. It's nice to see Ronan happy through this process now.
But as Nyx and I make our way to surprise Eris at the shop, my heart is heavy for her. If I knew my parents were going to show up, I'd be sick to my stomach. A family reunion isn't high on my list of priorities. But for Eris, it could be a life-or-death situation if her mother discovers her here. Hopefully these pastries fromTreatswill brighten her day. Or rather, night. By the time Nyx and I finished with our training, the sun had set. No matter, we'll still be able to surprise Eris right before close and if she'll allow us, help her clean so she doesn't have to shoulder that burden alone.
"I don't think she'll notice if one is missing, Kitarni," Nyx's voice jars me from my thoughts. "My stomach is growling so loud, I bet they can hear it from across the street." He thumbs to the other side of the avenue at passersby, and I shake my head, my brows pinching together.
"I told you to eat before we left."
"Why would I eat before we left when we were coming to the shop to eat?" He narrows his gaze, hunger slowly taking over his sanity.
"You'll get one when we get there."
He groans. "You're so stubborn," he mumbles.
"Ironic coming from you," I hiss back. We are definitely not our typical selves. Maybe the hunger pangs are starting to overwhelm us. My stomach growls loudly enough to draw Nyx's judgmental gaze.
"Hungry, Kitarni?" He infuses sarcasm into each word. "If only we had a way to solve the problem."
