Page 73 of Queen of Serpents and Shadows

Morta grinned, an unsettling sight. “I suppose you’ll have to find out.”

27

Ryvin

Ara was strugglingto walk even with me, carrying most of her weight as she leaned on me. She was trying to hide it, but her breathing gave her away. The ragged sound was a warning. A sound that indicated it was time for any family to say their goodbyes.

That wasn’t going to happen.

I scooped her into my arms and she leaned her head against my chest, not even protesting the help. That told me everything I needed to know. I was dangerously close to losing her. I kissed her forehead. “Stay with me, Asteri.”

Each step deeper into the earth felt more perilous. The spring under the oasis was supposed to have extraordinary healing abilities. It was the reason so many came to thisisland, only to seal their fate as a meal for the cyclops. I now suspected its waters were what created the garden above me. It was a good sign if it could create that much thriving life on such an otherwise barren island.

The steps weren’t actual steps. More like indents on a decline. I slipped on the green moss and held tight to Ara, bracing her against my chest so I didn’t drop her. My hip slammed into the ground and hissed out a curse. Ara didn’t even react.

My pulse raced and I brushed her dark hair away from her face. Her eyes were closed and she was so pale. Sweat covered her forehead in a sheen, but when I touched her she was as cold as ice. “Asteri?” I pressed my fingers to the side of her neck and held my breath while I waited for her pulse. It was so faint I wasn’t sure if I was imagining it. Leaning down, I lowered my cheek so it was right next to her mouth and nose. The rattling was gone, but her breathing was so shallow and rapid I wasn’t even sure how she was getting the air she needed.

Determined to make it to the spring, I stood, readjusting her so I was holding her with one arm. I used my other hand to help me balance against the moss-covered wall. It was just as slick and damp as the steps.

There was nothing ahead of me but darkness. Morta hadn’t given any indication as to how far down the spring was. I wondered if I was traveling into the Underworld itself.

I sent two fae lights ahead, then clenched my jaw withfrustration when I only saw more stairs and more darkness. There was no giving up, though. There was only one option, and it was saving my mate.

“I never told you what I wanted to do after I eliminated my father.” I looked down at her, foolish hope making me think that maybe she’d open her eyes. They remained closed. I paused my progress and removed my hand from the wall so I could feel for her breath. When I found it, I started walking again.

“I had plans, you know,” I continued. “But you came along and changed all that.” I chuckled to myself. “I suppose I did the same for you. Sometimes I wonder if it would have been better for you if I never met you. If your life would be easier. Happier. Without me.”

I paused again, then kissed her cold forehead. “But I’m too selfish to let you find that out. Now that I have you, I’m never letting you go.”

I waved the fae lights forward, urging them deeper as I continued the decline. “But you’ve made it clear you’re the same. That stupid move you made by saving me instead of saving yourself. I might never forgive you for that. You know that, right?”

The sound of water dripping echoed around me and my heart swelled. I looked ahead, willing the spring to appear in the darkness. It was still nothing but slippery steps. “I hear something. Hang on, please, hang on.”

After a few more steps, I checked her breathing again. “Asteri, can you hear me? I need you to wake up. I have somuch I never told you. Did you know I never planned to be king of Konos?

“I never admitted that to anyone. I wanted Nyx to claim the throne. She’d have more children. It’s what the gods do. By the time she tired of ruling, I figured her other children could fight it out amongst themselves. I’d be long gone. I always thought maybe I’d find out what was on the other continents. I aways thought it would be worth battling the monsters in the sea to find out. Maybe you’d go with me. Maybe you’d tame the monsters along the way.”

I paused again, leaning down to feel breath.

I waited.

And waited.

Panic surged, and I pressed my fingers to her neck.

Nothing.

No pulse.

No breath.

My shadows billowed around me, angry surging tendrils that blotted out the fae lights, but I was blinded by my rage. I was not going to lose her.

I fell forward, letting the shadows catch me, then I ran. The shadows propelled me along, letting me bypass the steps. I was moving into darkness as fast as I could. After a few breaths, my mind cleared enough that I thought to throw out fae lights as I raced down the tunnel.

They blurred as I passed them, throwing more and more as I flew toward the bottomless pit. Ifthis was a dead end, I was going to kill all the fates. And then I was going to find and kill my mother.

My shadows reared up, forming a barrier that I crashed into. I let out a frustrated scream and they scattered. Leaving me standing at the bottom of the chasm.

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