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Chapter twenty-nine

T he next morning was spent going over battle strategies and fortifications for different parts of our land. We received correspondence from both the dark and light court. Leenia and the others managed to secure the draugr and imps, thus far. They were on their way to the incubi. The light court was in the process of securing most of their allies, but I knew, even with the numbers, we would be lucky to make it out alive. Eren wrote back to Leenia, asking her to meet up with us when they were done negotiating.

I kept quiet the entire time, deep in thought. There had to be something more we could do. I sorted through everything we knew about our enemy: the creatures, the gods, the rift— that was it . Excitement sent adrenaline rushing through me, but I managed to remain calm. I felt a pair of eyes on me … Levos.

He furrowed his brow. I mouthed later before returning my attention to Phasis and Eren. I caught Pyra assessing the two of us from across the table. She arched an eyebrow with a wicked smile as her gaze settled deeply upon me.

When the meeting was done, I excused myself, making a beeline to my room. Before I made it to the commons, I was picked up without warning and carried up into the higher levels of the hive.

I looked behind me to see Pyra’s striking face smiling back. “You’ve been keeping secrets, little friend,” she hissed against my ear.

“Pyra, we literally just spoke yesterday. What could have happened between then and now?” I asked as we flew in a zigzagging pattern.

She took a deep sniff along my neck. “I smell the light one on you and I demand details,” she snapped, slamming us both into the ground outside the doors to her room. She grabbed my arm, pulling me inside. “Tell me, was he good?” she asked eagerly, only inches from my face.

I laughed. “Pyra darling, I didn’t sleep with Levos. I swear on our friendship, that did not happen.”

She stomped her foot in aggravation. “Then why do you smell of him?”

“Well, I may not have slept with him, but I may have … bit him,” I admitted.

Her wings twitched while her eyes widened. “You tasted him too,” she said, her smile reappearing.

I chuckled. “Yea, it wasn’t intentional. I lost control after using my song on Phasis yesterday and Levos happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

“Mm, I see. And how did he … reciprocate your little love bite?”

I paused, biting on the bottom of my lip while the images and feelings of his desire sent my skin erupting in gooseflesh. “He … he wasn’t opposed.”

Her mouth fell open. “You lucky bitch,” she said, falling onto her bed.

I laughed, crawling in next to her. “Believe me, I was just as surprised as you at his reaction, and my own, for that matter.”

“Oh, found something we like, did we?” she asked, drawing a finger down my arm.

“I might have,” I laughed at myself. “Azeer, Levos Atros. The universe has an odd sense of humor.”

She nodded. “I can agree to that, but I can also attest to how absolutely delicious that alfar is.”

“You aren’t lying about that. But even so, Eren has forbid me to continue any type of relation with him,” I confessed.

She straightened instantly. “Excuse me? He did what?”

“Yea. He walked in on Levos and I having a conversation last night—that’s why we missed dinner—and he saw the interaction between us and then Eren forbid me from even having a friendship with him.”

“The nerve of that selfish, narcissistic male. I want to rip his balls out through his mouth for even attempting to tell you how to conduct your personal relationships. After everything he’s done to you.”

“Well, he can bark orders all he want,” I said. “I am in charge of my own life. When my father died, I swore I would never let another dictate how I conducted my life. That includes Erendrial Lyklor.”

“Jealous prick,” she spat.

I shrugged. “I don’t think he’s jealous, but I don’t believe he trusts Levos.”

“And you do?” she asked.

I paused before nodding. “I do. Some part of me just … just feels so drawn to him. Like I already know him better than myself.”

Her eyes widened. “Do you think it could be the siren bond?” she asked frantically.

Azeer, I had forgotten all about that. The siren bond was a myth. I didn’t have anything concrete to back it up, but the legend supposedly stated that a single male came along once in a siren’s life. He would have to forfeit his life, and then be reborn.

There were benefits to the bond. The two would share one mind. They could communicate without uttering a word. The male would be able to breathe underwater, and the siren would gain the strength of the male she was bonded to. That was all I knew from the books I had found on my kind in the library back at the dark court.

“Evie,” Pyra said, jarring me out of my thoughts.

I shook my head. “It’s a myth, Pyra. I am not willing to risk my life just to test a theory.”

“But imagine if it is true,” she said, scooting closer to me. “Imagine having the love you crave. The strength and power you’ve always wanted.”

I stood from the bed, not wanting to talk about this any longer. “It’s a nice dream, but eventually, everyone has to wake from their dreams.” I leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. “I have to go handle some business, but I will find you later, okay?”

She nodded, standing, wrapping her arms around me before I could protest. “Remember, only you have the power to make your dreams come true.”

I pulled away, putting my forehead to hers before heading for the door. I made my way back to the commons area of our rooms to find the four of them in a huddle. They all turned to me as I approached.

“Did I miss a meeting?” I asked.

“Pack your things,” Eren said. “We’re leaving.”

“What? Why?” I asked.

Eren went to his room, shutting the door. Gen approached me. “I had a vision. The nymphs are going to be attacked by a horde of some hominoid creatures. We’ve sent word to the others to meet us there and we’ve sent a warning to the nymphs. Let’s pray it gets there in time.”

I nodded, heading to my room to pack my things.

We bid Phasis and Pyra farewell. They stayed behind to rally their troops for the upcoming war. We would travel to the nymph’s lands, which thankfully weren’t too far from the fairies.

We called our ragamors down into the clearing. As they landed, Levos stood off to the side, staring in awe. Pasiese slammed down, her purple scales catching the light of the setting sun. She nuzzled her head into me while I embraced the dragon-like creature. I looked back at Levos while he assessed the two of us.

“Want to say hello?” I asked him.

“Can I?” he replied. “I mean, it isn’t going to eat me or anything?”

I chuckled. “No, she isn’t going to eat you. Unless I tell her to, that is.”

He smiled, cautiously approaching. He reached out his hand and waited for her to come to him. Pasiese looked at me and I nodded in approval. She slowly bowed her head, allowing his hand to skim the surface of her scales. He grinned, taking another step forward.

“She’s beautiful,” he whispered. Pasiese let out a low whine of approval.

“She apparently liked that compliment,” I told him.

“She can understand me?”

“Sort of. She and I are bonded. So, she can sense what I am feeling, and we talk through our emotions. What I hear, feel, and see, she can also.”

“Amazing. I must admit, I am slightly jealous of your court. All the different gifts and the ragamor as a bonus.”

I laughed. “Let me guess: don’t tell Gaelin you said that?”

“You got it,” he said with a wink.

I looked at Pasiese and then back to Levos. “Do you want to ride with us to the nymph’s lands?” I offered.

“Really?”

“I don’t see why not. We don’t want to be waiting around for you to arrive on your horse, now do we?”

“Smart-ass,” he mumbled with a smile.

“Fantastic. You’re going to have to hold on tight. If you fall off, I am not responsible, just so we’re clear.”

“I would expect nothing less, Evinee.”

We climbed onto Pasiese as she stomped, preparing herself for takeoff. Levos locked his arms around my waist and leaned into my back. I slashed both of my palms, sliding them into the slits underneath Pasiese’s shoulder blades.

Eren appeared, mounted on Eeri. “And what do you think you’re doing, Ambassador Atros?” he asked, clearly pissed.

“Hitching a ride, it would appear,” replied Levos. I snickered, impressed by Levos’s lack of fear where Eren was concerned.

“I think your horse would be a better mode of transportation,” Eren said.

Before the bantering continued, I pushed Pasiese forward, readying for takeoff. I sent my power through the bond, urging her to take flight. She fanned out her wings, causing gusts of dirt to fly up around us. “See you there,” I said to Eren before we shot into the sky.

Levos’s grip tightened as my thighs locked around Pasiese’s scaled back. We reached a high altitude before she steadied her glide. The clouds whipped around us as the colors of the sunset bounced throughout the small droplets of precipitation.

“This is …” Levos whispered, trailing off in thought.

“I know, right? The most peaceful and beautiful thing you will ever see.”

“I am one hundred percent jealous now,” he said, loosening his grip as he sat up straighter, taking in our breathtaking surroundings.

“So, are you ready to do some negotiating with the nymphs, since they’re aligned with the light court?” I asked.

“They’re easy. They will most likely be even more negotiable since you all are flying to help them defend whatever attack is heading their way. They won’t be too thrilled to work with the fairies, but once they see the contract, I can’t see it being much of an issue. Speaking of the impending war, what was that little epiphany you had back at the meeting this afternoon?”

I exhaled. “Well, it’s going to sound crazy, but I’ve been thinking on ways we can beef up the groups of races that have agreed to fight with us. Besides the fairies and the draugr, most races aren’t very confrontational. We need warriors, not farmers.”

“Yes. You sound surprisingly a lot like the first king of the dark throne. Planning to make another bargain with a god, are we?” he laughed, but when I didn’t, he stopped, looking at me intensely. “Oh, do tell,” he said, leaning in towards me.

“It doesn’t really have to do with gods; maybe demigods, if we’re lucky.” I paused, chewing over how to make this work. “Since Alaric is getting his forces from different worlds, through the rifts, why shouldn’t we? I’m going to propose to Eren that a team and I go through the rift to recruit other beings to help fight this war. Since Alaric has been pulling creatures from all over the universe and timelines, I am sure there are a few creatures who want revenge on him or to get their companions back.”

“Evinee … that’s brilliant,” he said. Not the response I was expecting, but one I appreciated.

“Really?” I asked. “You think so?”

“Absolutely. You’re right about not having the strength in abilities, fighters, or numbers. Even with those we’re recruiting from our lands. This could turn the tide, and Alaric wouldn’t see it coming. The only issue is the rift requires a sacrifice to be opened. And how do we get back?”

“Yes, I’ve thought about that. I know it’s awful to think of asking anyone to sacrifice themselves, but I thought we’d go about it the same way we do during our sacrifice to Azeer every winter. Finding those who are willing, old, and sick. Eren can take away their pain. I don’t know of another way to make it work.”

“Light court isn’t going to like that little detail.”

“It’s the only chance we have.”

Levos said nothing for a moment as the blanket of darkness stretched across the sky, allowing the stars to lead the way. “Why aren’t you involved in the more political side of your court? You’re brilliant.”

I hid my smile. “My mask, remember? I need to appear as a sex object. Most males wouldn’t open up to me if they believed I had an actual brain between my ears. This way, I have a hidden weapon that I can manipulate to my advantage without them ever expecting.”

He leaned down, pressing his chest against my back. His lips brushed against the tip of my ear. My entire body lit up from the sensation. “Beautiful, brilliant, with a side of wicked,” he whispered.

“I serve my purpose,” I replied.

“But you could be so much more.”

I shrugged. “I am happy to help make our court a better place and to keep my family safe.”

“You’re a good alfar, Evinee. I hope you see that.”

I paused, thinking of all those innocent males I had killed during my life. Levos was entranced by my pretty shell, but I knew better … I wasn’t good.

I was a monster.