Page 113 of Kingdom of Briars and Roses

“An oracle.”

I sighed. Meerdra. It had the look of her handiwork. “And what did you promise her?”

She hesitated before admitting, “A favor of her choosing.”

“Seven Hels,” I muttered, finally dropping her hand. “You do understand this bargain is unbreakable.”

“She fulfilled her end. I’ll do the same when she needs me.”

“And what did you get in return for this unnamed favor?”

She squared her jaw as if ready to defend her answer. “Information.”

“What kind of information?”

“I’ll share if you do,” she shot back.

I shook my head, pacing. Likely, the information had to do with her dormant power—light or dark, it hardly mattered at this point. Meerdra wouldn’t have offered the bargain without upholding her end, but that didn’t mean her explanations weren’t cryptic as fuck. I knew from experience.

“Your mark—” I tried, but the words caught in my throat.

She crossed her arms, tucking away the one Meerdra had given her. “It’s not a big deal.”

“Not that one.” I reached for her neck, brushing her hair away and running my thumb over the black moon at her throat. Power rippled between us, but I held fast, not wanting to let go of her just yet. “This.”

Her gaze met mine, her lids heavy with desire. I knew if I kissed her now, she wouldn’t stop me. But there was one thing I needed from her more than her mouth on mine. I released her, letting my hand drop.

Disappointment flashed in her eyes. “You know what it means, don’t you?”

This was a complete disregard for the bargain I’d made. But I couldn’t stop myself from trying to answer her. “It means,” I said, shoving the words out through clenched teeth, “You have been blessed by the gods. What you do with those blessings is your choice.”

“What exactly am I supposed to choose?” she asked, her brow pinching.

Fuck.

I wanted to reach up and smooth her concern with my fingers. To stroke her skin until all her worries and fears had melted. Instead, I searched for the words the vow would let me speak. It wasn’t easy. The leash Duron’s blood vow kept me on was tight. And then there was the promise I’d made to my true king. He was even harder to work around, but then he was a Hel of a lot smarter than Duron.

“Do you know why Menryth’s magic waned after The Great War?” I asked in a strained voice.

Her eyes widened, and I knew Meerdra had mentioned it. At least she’d done some of my work for me. “The oracle claimed the gods drained its power for themselves.”

“Do you know which—” My throat closed and I fell silent.

“Which gods?” She finished for me. “She said it was the Fates and the Furiosities.”

I nodded even though it sent pain shooting through my skull. “And?” I ground out.

“And the gods fought over Menryth, but their agreement prevented them from doing direct battle. So, they chose a champion to imbue with their power.”

“What else did she say?” It was the only thing I could possibly ask that wouldn’t kill me right now. Even so, my breaths were labored. Sweat dotted my brow.

Suspicion slanted her gaze. “She said the champion would have to choose which side to fight for.”

I nodded, and awareness flared in her icy blue eyes.

My heartbeat galloped at unsustainable speeds, and I gritted my teeth, hoping like Hel it didn’t burst from my damned chest. This was beyond fucked. I shouldn’t have gone this far. But if I hadn’t, she might not survive this wretched place.

“Are you all right?” she asked worriedly.

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