Page 33 of Light Up the Night

Chalice

“Of course.” I smiled, but it didn’t meet my eyes, they were stuck on Pariah. He had a gaze that was nothing short of predatory. I wanted to curse him every time I caught him looking my way.

I led her down the many dreary halls until we were finally standing before the cells.

“What are you doing with her?” Azaria seethed the moment she saw Reverie standing between Messiah and Ender.

“My Queen,” Reverie began. She all but danced to Azaria’s cage. “This is Chali. My sister.”

The woman stared at me like she was repulsed. In the span of a single glance, I had been sized up and found unworthy.

“My gift to you was her safety,” Azaria spat. “This is how I am repaid?”

“She didn’t know. How could she have known…” Reverie’s voice fell a bit, and I gravitated toward her before I even realized what I was doing. Azaria studied the pair of us for a good long while before her attention shifted toward Ender and Messiah.

“You stole my king to get yours back?” she asked, her voice filled with astonishment.

I nodded slowly. “I believe he may have been unfairly painted by the same people who used and abused us.”

The keys jangled as Ender fidgeted with the lock. He opened the door for Azaria but kept his hand on his sword.

“I respect your commitment to your man.” She smiled before admitting on a sigh, “I’ve warred for mine, too.”

“Great. Good,” Pariah rudely sang. “Now that everything is peaches and rainbows here at the Inlet, I’m going after Atticus and Isabella.”

Reverie paled and swayed. Her wife was instantly at her side.

“The same Atticus and Isabella who sold her?” Azaria asked with disbelief.

Messiah spoke up. “The very same.”

“Then you need not waste your time. My bride shall have a new wedding gift,” Azaria interjected. “The pleasure would be entirely mine. A sign of perpetual peace and an amendment for my initial insult.”

It was a show of good faith, of a new friendship, but damned if it didn’t slap me in the face. Pariah snuck in close and slid his hand over my shoulder.

“Your Majesty knows I only jested right?” he whispered. “I only spoke of a bride’s price to goad my brother. I do not sit in one place. It is not my nature. Nor would I ever allow myself to get close enough to someone to call them a wife.”

He nipped my earlobe and planted a kiss to my cheek.

I laughed, but it was strangled with what was likely tears of joy. I snatched Reverie right off Azaria’s arm and hugged her, so great was my relief.

“You were the truest friend I ever had in Rochambeau. My very first friend… “

“Don’t thank me yet. Now you’re stuck with that Heathen.” She laughed before slowly shaking her head and looking into my eyes.

Everyone stared at me in a moment of truth. All of the fight. All of the fear… now it was time to see if it had all been worth it.

Even if Lazarus was as despicable as Atticus, you wouldn’t have found Reverie without the journey, I told myself as I led the way toward Lazarus’ chambers.

Messiah and I entered to discover Keif dutifully bathing my Fallen God. His hair was long and stringy. His skin covered in dirt and bruises. He had lost at least twenty pounds. He didn’t look over his shoulder or even acknowledge that anyone had came in.

“I didn’t even see you sneak off…” I admitted, flashing Keif a smile as I walked toward the tub. Lazarus visibly flinched when he heard my voice, but he made no effort to face me.

“Someone was kind enough to help me when I was too exhausted and overwhelmed. I figured I’d return the favor.” The sheepish smile that I had fallen in love with split Keif’s features just as Lazarus reached out and weakly claimed my wrist.

His voice had always been low and deep, but now it was scratchy and almost animalistic.

“I owe you my life,” he stated dryly. His accent was different, but he managed his words, despite having his tongue split like a serpent’s.

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