Page 76 of Blood of Two Crowns

“You’re in a prison. Inhell.If anything, I should be the one questioning you.”

The male’s brows leapt.

“You don’t happen to know anyone by the name of Mareina do you?”

Hope ignited in my chest. Even if it was at the chance for someone else to escape this hell. For someone I’d only met once, despite the innate familiarity I’d felt towards her. Something deep inside me knew that the female I’d followed to that riot had a capacity for good. For greatness.

“Are you here to help her?”

I saw that hope mirrored in the blonde’s gaze, though I could see the distrust wavering behind it.

“So you do know her?”

“Four wings. Kills in droves. Has a surly temperament.”

The male’s eyes went round as saucers.“Oh, fuck…”

The male leapt backwards as he took one final scan of our surroundings before turning back towards the portal.

“No! Wait!”

Before the words had finished leaving my mouth, the male disappeared.With a roar of frustration, I gripped the cell bars as if I could pull them free.

The female with the strange gift appeared at my side, laying a hand on my shoulder and channellingpeaceinto my very being. My heart rate slowed, and I breathed in a calm breath as I peered down at her—she was quite small. Pretty and fae.

“Thank you.”

She gave me a sad smile before silently returning back to the group of females against the wall. With a heaved sigh, I laid backdown on the ground, staring at the portal with near-unblinking eyes for a mind-numbing period of time.

Not that I’d ever experienced it for myself, but I’d heard that there was a significant difference in the way time passed in other realms. While It could be hours, days,months?—

Before I could finish the thought, two males stepped through. I gradually sat up at the sight of them, shocked to see a Nephilim who had come fromoutsideVassileo, dressed like some warrior king, no less. A blonde drakonati male stood beside him who had the distinct air of someone who had spent his life in the military. In unison, their eyes met mine before taking in the near-endless rows of individual prison cells.

Several more people appeared behind him, all wearing a look of dismay.

Fearful they’d turn around and leave again, my words came out in a rushed.“I know Mareina.”

Chapter

Forty-Four

NAKOA

“Iknow Mareina.”My heart stilled as I took in the imprisoned nephilim male. I wasn’t sure whether to consider him an enemy or ally, but my initial instinct was a protective one. Rumiel stepped forward, his jaw slack.“Asterion?”

Both males appeared equally shocked to see the other. Rumiel made quick introductions, skipping the part about being buried alive andexhumed120 years later. After a brief discussion and Asterion’s retelling of the recent events regarding Mareina, Malekai wielded his drakonati fire to melt the palladium bars of the cell.

By the time the door to the male’s cell swung open, the prisoners in the other cells were all rioting to be freed. Val, Roderick, and Pomona took the liberty of removing Asterion’s palladium collar, following those worn by a group of females sharing his cell. They stuck close to his side as he approached me. “Is it safe for them? On the other side of that portal?”

My gaze fell on the females’ dirt and blood-crusted faces. Dark circles lined their eyes, their hair was matted and clothes torn.

Still,I saw no rats. At least there was that.

I exchanged a look with Malekai. Creepy as the isles of Nissi Tiss Pillis may be, they weren’t dangerous.

“Yes. They’ll be safe there so long as they don’t try to swim in the sea.”

Akashonly knew when we’d be back.Ifwe’d even make it back. But Nissi Tiss Pillis was a far safer place than any hell.Even if worse came to worst, none of us survived, and the females were all stranded there.

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