Page 33 of Blood of Two Crowns

“Another one opens.”

Azrael turned in a circle, searching, before laying a hand on Mareina’s shoulder, transporting us to a desert.

Fuck me.

The hole is slightly bigger now, and instead of peeking out on the Kahlohani Isalnds, I see a sandy desert.

Azrael heaves a sigh. “There are more like this peppered throughout Vassileo. It’s a blessing they’ve only shown up in remote locations… Perhaps because it’s where there’s less magic in the vicinity, but eventually, when they grow big enough, someone will feel the pull of magic.”

Chapter

Sixteen

NAKOA

Leaving Cerebus behind, Azraelfoldedwith Mareina back to his palace in Ouranissa. Mareina and Azrael stared at one other as the reality of the situation settled upon her.

“So you seeourpredicament.”

Mareina shook her head, no doubt in horrified awe. Azrael’s expression tightened with guilt and shame. “It wasn’t always this way.”

“What happens if they kill each other? It still weakens you?”

Azrael nods. “It takes a part of my soul to the chasm with them.”

Mareina studied him for several moments. “And why don’t you help them? Try to give them whatever it is they need to be…”

Mareina’s words drifted already recognizing their futility.

Azrael huffed a sad laugh. “I may have the power to take life, but I do not have the power to change it. The beings in my hell realms are too many for anyone else to fathom and, with a few exceptions, they are the most wretched and corrupt souls I have ever come across. And while I would not wish their wrath upon nearly anyone, it has become beyond my control to prevent it. If things continue as they are, in a matter of months, those in the barriers between our realms will fray wide open.”

My heart pounded a furious beat, knowing that whatever response Mareina would give, it wouldn’t be one I wanted to hear. What solution could their possibly?—

“What if… Somehow, I could lend these realms my power.”

Icy dread trickled into my veins. Azrael grew still.

“You are not made of the aether of my realms. There may be some hope that your power might be enough to strengthen my side of the barrier that separates my hell realms reserved for the dead from Avernus, but in order for your power to strengthen the barriers that divide my living hell realms from Bellorum… We would have to create a syphon todrainyour power. And you would have to stay in Vassileo. It is not a fate I would wish upon a soul such as yours.”

My heart stalled in my chest as it cracked and shattered. My unheard words were breathless and frantic as I reached out and attempted to grip her by the shoulders, but my hands merely passed through her.“Mareina, no. No, no, no, lohane thili. Please, don’t do this.”

The look on her face told me everything I feared to hear. Deaf to my pleas, Mareina merely huffed a heartbroken laugh. “You have no idea the horror I have inflicted on others. It is a fate I have earned.”

Azrael shook his head as he studied her. “Because you are not one of the souls in my dominion, I do not know much of your history, but my power still allows me to feel and intuit the merit of every soul in existence. And I can assure you, you do not belong in any hell.”

Something like numb resignation settled on her face. “I deserve worse.”

No… No. This couldn’t be happening.

I had to stop this. There had to be another way. Surely, Moirai—the many-faced Goddess of Fate—had not intended this. An echo of Miroslav’s words filled my mind.

‘If you do not cherish the soulbound Akash has gifted you, you shouldn’t be surprised when she is stolen from you.’

My lips parted in horror in realization. Malekai wasn’t the one to steal her from me. It was Azrael. Fate. The universe itself. Mareina’s guilt, which I had only ever enflamed. My forcing Mareina into a position of power and obligation.

Azrael seemed to be deliberating something before he spoke. “Shall I take you to back to your… mates. To say goodbye? I would trust your word that you will willingly return with me should you give it.”

Raging tears streamed down my cheeks as I desperately tried to grasp Mareina and roared my protest.

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