Page 83 of Prince of Ruin

When I open my eyes again, I’m sitting in that nook. Before me, a fire crackles where only burnt branches were before. And across the fire, sits an old woman with black pits for eyes, rotted teeth, and two wiry white braids falling down her shoulders.

Clav

“You’re here,” I whisper, trying to shake the odd dreams from my mind while I focus on my task at hand.

“You summoned me.” Her voice sounds like a thousand screams trapped in an old frail body. “SovereignClavicle.”

I shudder at my name on her lips. I can tell I’m somewhere between reality and the spirit world. That nausea you feel when it’s way too early to wake up, but you’re not fully asleep, makes my stomach turn. Or maybe it’s the demonic woman before me.

“I know why you’re here,” she says in an ancient voice. Picking up a stick, she pokes at the embers in the fire. The fire pops and flares, flames swirling toward the cavern ceiling. “You want me to end the sacrifices.”

“Yes.” I’m surprised by my own boldness. But I’m desperate to get away from this old hag, and the only way I can is to complete my mission.

“And I suppose you want your memories and powers back, too, hm?” She smiles, revealing those rotted teeth.

My chest aches at the thought. “No.”

Her wicked eyes swivel from the flames to mine, smile fading “No?”

“It’s…too much. I don’t want to remember anything of my past.”

Her head tilts, her teeth still barred. “Your past self is a Spine Sovereign of the wickedest sort.”

She says it like it’s a good thing.

“With a shit ton of trauma to carry around,” I add. “No doubt.”

Now no hint of a smile remains on her pale face, just a glare and barred teeth, like she’s ready to rip my throat out.

“Your human mind might have trouble processing the life of a fae. This world might seem cruel to mortals like you, but this world’s strength and resilience is why fae live so long and rule so ruthlessly. Once you’ve been transformed back to your fae self, yourtraumawon’t seem so bad.”

Chills prickle on my skin. She’s not going to give me an option, is she? It’s almost like she misses this Sovereign Clavicle, wants him back. And she has the power to bring him.

“That’s right, human.” Even her whisper is like a thousand silent screams.

“If you end the human sacrifices,” I say. “I’llletyou turn me back.” I squeeze my eyes shut, hating the words as they leave my lips. A dark force seems to fill my chest, burning any hope I might have had and leaving an empty, charred void. Who will I become when I remember what that sort of power felt like? What will I feel when all my memories slam back into my head, not just the few glimpses I’ve had of my tragic past?

When nothing happens, I crack my eyes open to find Mother Terra glaring at me.

“If you do not appreciate the life of a powerful fae—the most powerful fae in all the land, I might add—” Her smile grows feral. “—Then you don’t deserve it.”

My shoulders sag, relief easing the tension in my muscles. She won’t force me. She won’t change me unless I want it. But the disgusted look on her face as she returns to stirring the embers makes my muscles lock up again.

“You are not the sovereign I remember,” she spits out. “Go back to your mortal world, boy.”

I swallow hard, not sure whether to feel joy or dread at her releasing me to my home.

“Will you end the sacrifices if I do?” I ask.

Her laugh is husky and wheezy, like someone who’s been inhaling too much volcanic smoke.

“I’m a goddess of my word.” Her black pits meet my eyes. “That mortal—Aden’s—life will be mine by the full moon, whether or not Tarsus brings him. I have my sources, my power, and nothing can stop me from claiming what is mine.”

Fear pours through my blood like ice. “What?”

Her black eyes meet mine. “Aden will be sacrificed.” Her smile is cold as she adds, “But it’s nothing for you to worry about, boy. You want no part of this world…remember?”

Fire—fire threads through my veins, pours into my mouth as I stand. “Why the fuck do you hate humans so much?”

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