Saryan held up his hand. “A brief dalliance, believe me. And highly regrettable at that.”
“There’s no residual—”
“Just hatred. That’s all that remains.”
We were relieved to hear it, consideringourbond with her daughter.
Saryan went to Orpheus then, studying him intently, and looking him over. He was usually so coolheaded and poised, but I could see how frantic he was with it right now, on making sure his son was truly okay.
“The Nephilim’s damage has healed well.” He frowned then. “Roll up your sleeves.”
“Why?”
“Orpheus, just oblige.”
Ore grunted, then shoved up the sleeves of his long sleeve tee, turning his forearms for his father to see.
“A glamour,” he said, after a few moments. “Admirable try, but you’re dealing with the King of the Dark FaeandI’m your father. I can see what others cannot when it comes to you.”
With a frustrated sigh, Orpheus swept his purple power over his left forearm.
I choked as black veins stretching from the back of his hand all the way up to his inner elbow came into view now it was no longer being concealed by his magic.
“You’re containing it there,” his father said in awe. “I’m extremely impressed. It takes a great deal of strength and fortitude to prevent the spread.”
“Like I’ve said, yet have had to prove a ridiculous amount lately, I’m in control.”
“Yes, that’s definitely apparent.”
“Extraordinary,” I breathed.
Saryan smiled. “You’re truly coming into your own.” He took his left hand. “No need to suffer unduly, however.”
In the next second, he tightened his grip to the point of painful pressure, then his silver power glowed at the point of contact.
“The strain will become painful if you bear it for too long.”
Orpheus grunted and stared at what his father was doing.
“I know the sensation is unsettling. It’s akin to someone siphoning you. Not to worry, it won’t be but a moment longer.”
I watched the black veins move toward Saryan’s silver power.
They sped up, slinking over there until they crossed through to his hand, moving across his skin—his blood.
He gritted his teeth and then released Orpheus and the veins traveled all the way up his arm to his neck, then disappeared into his skin.
He staggered back a step, his eyes blackening for a couple of moments, before they then returned to their natural state, and he sucked in a breath, and basically just shook it off.
Seriously?Only the Dark Fae King.
“Father, are you all right?” Orpheus asked, worriedly.
“Fine. Just fine,” he breathed.
“Father—” Orpheus started to protest. Rightfully so, considering we’d just watched him ingest black magic and fully take it into himself, not hold it at bay like Orpheus had been doing to protect against dark and highly-dangerous ramifications.
“We have much more important matters to discuss at present,” Saryan insisted. “For instance, I’m sure you’re just itching to discuss the Orb of Vorlav.”