Page 87 of Ringmaster

The Past interrupts. “Make a choice, Azrael. Knowing what you know now, would you still seek her out? Remember—you had the power to choose your mate. The choice was always yours, and yours alone. A final gift from your mother.”

I understand. I sentenced Mercy to this fate. This was all my doing. Would I damn her all over again, knowing the price she paid for my love? Why do I hesitate when I already know the answer?“ Of course, I want to because I can’t imagine anyone else by my side. And if I live for an eternity, then it’s her I want to spend every single one of those days with. I can’t imagine it any other way.

But I stole from her. Is it fair for me to take her life away? Her life was miserable. She was about to be sold off to some wealthy man. Maybe she would have lived an enjoyable life with him.

“The cycle repeats,” she hisses. “I know what you’re thinking, Azrael—and he won’t care for her the way you would.”

I shake my head. “Are you influencing me? I don’t think you’re allowed to do that.”

“Make a decision,” she snaps, knowing I caught her breaking a rule.

I smile at the Past. “Sure thing, oath-breaker.”

“You stop that. Don’t speak that out into the world.”

My smile grows. “I guess you owe me a favor, friend.”

The Past nods, recognizing her mistake. “One favor. Of my choosing. I may refuse you.”

“No. You may refuse me three times,” I counter, knowing I have the upper hand.

“You can ask a favor only once, and then you may not ask it again.”

“Fine.” The magical agreement snaps into place between us.

“Give me your answer.” Her words are sharp and icy.

“Yes. I will never stop saying yes to her.”

The scene replaying crumbles as this world falls away. It’s replaced by the Future’s world. Everywhere I look, visions of the future unfold around me. It’s hard not to get lost in what my life could be like.

“Azrael,” the Future coos.

“Future,” I reply dryly.

“My question for you is simple. If you free her, will you be her captor? There are three choices: make her queen and keep her forever, release her back to her human life, never to see one another again, or let her choose freely, even if she walks away?” The Future smiles, already sensing my distress.

I want to allow Mercy to choose, but what if she walks away? I’m not prepared to handle that. If I say one thing but do the other, will it matter?”

The Future clears her throat. “I know what you’re thinking, and yes, it would matter if you lie.”

“Are you meddling with the test?” I ask, demanding the oath be upheld.

“Do not speak of such disobedience,” she snarls.

“Give me a favor.” It’s worth a second shot.

The Future laughs. “You forget I’m the Future. I will not fall for your tricks. Answer the question or fail.”

I gulp. That was a bad idea. I know the right answer, but it might just break me. “I’ll give her the choice.”

Once again the world dissolves, revealing the final realm: the Present. We’re back in the throne room. My father is nowhere to be seen. Instead, I’m surrounded by hundreds of illusions of Mercy, each one slightly different than the rest.

The Present speaks. “Find her in this room. You only have one guess.”

I scan the chamber. Mercy isn’t here. None of them carry the scar over her heart—the one I gave her. These are only an illusion, and I will not settle for an imitation of my mate. She’s somewhere waiting for me to rescue her. I turn to face the Present, a smug smirk tugging my lips. “She’s not here. None of these are her.”

The Present’s eyes glow with what might only be described as pride. “One more test, Azrael, and then you shall find her again in the human realm.”