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Obsidian goes silent. A beast chaining itself, regaining control. “Let me feel her again. There’s no reason to keep us apart, not in our minds.” The proud War-God is reduced to near begging, eyes wide, stress painted on his hard features.

“No.” Doman pauses, letting Obsidian feel the power imbalance. “Return to Obsidious. We meet you there, in the Arena of Blood. And every man will see that their War-God is mortal.”

Obsidian shakes his head. “The journey is long, and dangerous. You have my Mate. She’s in danger every second you keep her.”

“And your son.”

This time, Obsidian breaks. Doman’s signal to Cal removed the ring only for an instant, and he didn’t have time to learn that he is now a father. I see it, something I didn’t think possible.

Fear.

Naked fear, clear in the War-God's eyes.

Doman never moves. His face remains like a statue. “When I open a communications link, you will guide us through the Rift, to the killing fields. My brother Cal will never leave her side, not until we are done. Betray us and he slits her throat. We end this, as it was always meant to be, and I swear to you, if you strike me down, she will not be harmed.”

The fear is gone. It is replaced by disbelieving joy, just for a flash, before his mask of strength returns.

“I accept, Doman. I accept, Titus. I accept, Gallien. The universe will mourn the three princes. I await you.”

His voice is a rasp.

“Soon, Obsidian. Prepare your troops. We move within hours.”

The feed ends, and the War-God disappears, giving me an unobstructed view of the coldness of space. I stepped back without realizing it, my back to the wall, the icy chill spreading through my body as I stand in a room with three strangers who played me like a fool.

Three strangers who could be dead in the black sands before the day’s end.

43

ADRIANA

“You… you liar,” I spit out, the betrayal splitting me in two. “How long? How long did you plan this?”

“This is the only way.” Doman is emotionless.

I stare at him, still reeling. So noble, inspiring men to war. So proud and honorable, the golden prince who inspires devotion in all those who serve him. His royal features, his purity, all of it. Just a facade.

He’s a killer. Nothing more. Nothing less.

And I was his key. Wedding me gave him the opportunity to get the leverage he needed to face down Obsidian.

“Your word is shit. You said he’d change. That if he knew Fay was safe, if you just let him feel her, he’d stop, he’d end his campaign, he’d…” I trail off, not sure what I’m saying anymore.

“If I don’t kill him, he’ll never stop.” Doman is flanked by his battle-brothers. I look at them for any shred of humanity, any shred of emotion. There’s nothing.

They might as well be three unhearing statues.

I need to find a new tactic, a new way of reaching them.

Because as strong as Doman and his battle-brothers are, I know what happens to them if they face up against that monster.

They get ripped to shreds.

I shake my head. “If you kill him, it won’t change anything. You’ll cut the head off a hydra. There will tens of thousands of years of bloodshed. The Priests… they won’t give up. The Fanatics will splinter into a thousand war-bands, raping and pillaging.”

“A God cannot die. When I slay Obsidian, I will rip his beating heart from his chest. I will feast on it, and they will bow to me.”

Doman states it matter-of-factly, and I see, with horror, what he plans to become.