Page 9 of Of War and Realms

A pungent, herbal scent drifts past me, and I turn my head to see wisps of smoke coming from the back. The dark atmosphere soothes me. I take a moment to savor the solitude and absence of light, a soft smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. The peaceful bubble I’ve been desperate for bursts as the door behind me swings open.

I do not turn as Cas and Em’s purposeful footsteps break the silence. I allow my lungs to fill deeply with air, preparing myself for the scolding they’re sure to give me. Their striking features appear in front of me and I look between their eyes, absorbing the very different emotions radiating off of them.

Emrys—as expected—is pissed. If we weren’t in public, I’ve no doubt he would bend me over for being a brat. His gaze says he might just do it anyway, so I shift my focus to the prince. I didn’t presume Casmir to be as angry as his captain, but I did anticipate his disappointment.

There is none in his gaze. Just confusion and…is that guilt?

“Am I interrupting something?” Ivana’s hard voice causes me to shiver as the tension between my bonds and me loosens.

I step around them, clasping my hands behind my back. “No. I just did not inform them of our visit before we arrived.” Understanding fills her expression, and she gives me a knowing look.

“Well, you’re all here now. So let’s get on with it.”

We follow her to a decently sized room, set with a table in the middle. The wooden structure is thin enough that one could easily reach over and touch the person across from them. Considering her line of work, I assume that’s purposeful and quite helpful. There’s a round work surface in the corner, supporting dozens of bottles and vials, each filled with different liquids. The top of the small table holds small containers of dry materials, bringing my senses back to the herbal smell that greeted me. It’s strong in here, so the witch must have been working on something.

She gestures for the three of us to sit opposite her crimson armchair as she moves to grab a few items from the table and cabinet resting next to it. My males automatically plant themselves in the two outer chairs, and I shake my head as I lower myself into the third. It’s not the most comfortable thing, and it creaks when I adjust to a position that will hopefully keep my ass from going numb.

Sitting back, I wring my hands together. I know they have questions and now is the time to ask them.

I’m not sure why I’m so nervous. The hardest part is over, but I suppose that doesn’t wash away the guilt ravaging my insides for hiding this from them. Sure, I haven’t done anything wrong or dangerous, but I feel so uncomfortable with the thought of us not knowing everything about each other.

I long to crawl into their bodies and learn every thought they’ve ever had. I crave to know what their senses feel like when they kiss me, and if their reactions are as consuming as mine. I ache to count the number of times their hearts beat in a minute, needing to synchronize my own with the intimate tempo of theirs.

I jolt, my breath hitching when a hand runs along my arm. My surroundings come back to me as I focus on Casmir, who incites more of my selfish thoughts with a tender smile.

“What are we doing here, Nell?” His thumb strokes its way to my hand, sliding under my palm and surrounding my fingers with his.

“I visited Ivana a week ago and asked if she could help us.”

“When did you—” Emrys pauses, sighing deeply. “The fucking competition. You planned it.” I wince at his harsh tone and nod, keeping my eyes averted.

“I’m sorry, but you wouldn’t have agreed, and I needed to know if she could help.”

“Yes, but what exactly is she assisting with?” the prince questions, glancing over to the witch as she sets up what she needs.

I give him a long look, not ready to admit the truth to myself just yet. “We are going to send a message to the other gods.” His brows scrunch for only a moment before smoothing out as he realizes what I’m saying.

“They will come here, then? To aid in our efforts against Andras?”

“Yes,” I barely whisper. I never wanted to subject them to the wrath of my mother. That was one part of my life I did not want them having access to. But I no longer have a choice; and now they will have VIP access to her obsession with belittling me every chance she gets, under the guise of disappointment.

“What’s the cost?” Everyone in the small room pauses at Em’s sour mood.

Ivana waves a hand, dismissing his concern. “Do not brood, Captain. It is but a simple spell that requires just one vial of your goddess’s blood.” Her ruby eyes meet mine and she holds out a hand, indicating her readiness.

I offer my arm, chuckling under my breath. It’s ironic how the slice of a sharp dagger through my skin will be the least painful part of everything that’s about to happen.

The witch sits in her cushioned chair, pulling out her blade. Both males inhale sharply and jolt, though Em reaches her first and wraps his hand around the tip of the dagger. “You can use my blood,” he demands, and I'd be lying if I denied just how much I enjoy his possessiveness.

Ivana rolls her eyes, not moving to snatch the dagger back, lest she slice him too. “No. It must be Anellah’s blood, as it is she that shares it with the other deities.”

“Em, it’s fine. It’s just a little poke, and I heal much faster than you do, anyway.” He narrows his eyes at Ivana before relenting, releasing the blade and sitting back down. I reach over to squeeze his hand, offering a warm smile. His face softens, and he watches me intensely, lifting my hand to place a light kiss over my fingers.

I love you. He smirks and grips me tightly, making it clear that Ivana can use my other arm while he holds this one. I purse my lips at him, shaking my head as I face the witch who is about to reunite me with my parents after twenty-five years.

Chapter Five

Anellah

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