Page 116 of Hell-Bound

“You did it because you saw the sinner in me. I’ve done evil on a grand scale, and I wanted to forget,” she spoke softly.

He did not answer.

“He sent you back here as another torturous reminder that he has control. He wanted me to know that any good I tried to do would always fail—to remember that sharing the secrets of The Ultimate Truth would only bring more pain and despair to my people.

“Yet at that moment, in the palace, I couldn’t let him win. I was so exhausted from fighting his way. He never would have truly let me abdicate. He could never control Xarek as he controls me with the bond we share. He likely thought I would kill you, destroy you, my project of hope. In the unlikely scenario that I didn’t kill you, he knew what stripping my powers would do to me. How it would wound my pride. Indeed, I am more vulnerable than I have ever been,” he said, his face twisting in contempt.

“How do we get your powers back?”

“They will return on their own, but likely not in enough time to rescue your parents.” He massaged his temples. “The only choice we have is to retrieve the tome. It still contains my brother’s magic. We should be able to siphon justenough to send you home without breaking any important enchantments.”

She inhaled, giving him a determined look. “Then I guess we are getting that tome after all.”

“I guess so, Elfy,” he said, finally smiling.

Suddenly, they heard a low rumble.

“Fuuuuck, really?” Azur grumbled.

Ren leaped to her feet, drawing her dagger.

“Relax, Ren, it just means it’s going to rain,” Azur said, crossing his arms.

As soon as he said it, a small blue droplet hit her nose, causing her to blink rapidly. The drops weren’t like The Mortal Planes.

They glowed neon in the blackness and shimmered as if they were filled with diamonds. She watched in awe as her clothes began to glow, collecting the shining beads. She lifted her hands to the sky and caught several droplets. They splashed off her hand, sprinkling neon sparkles into the ash.

“You…made this?”

Azur blushed, actuallyblushed,and cleared his throat.

“Yes. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but we share an affinity for the beauty of all that glitters.”

She smiled and watched the droplets soak his hair and drip down his cheeks. The shimmers eventually dissolved like snow, but the rain kept falling, and the black ash began to glimmer. It looked like she was standing in starlight.

The snow and starlight, unfortunately, alsofeltlike snow. She bit down on her teeth, trying to control their chattering. She was proud, had to admit it now and didn’t want to show frailty. Hoping he wouldn’t notice, Ren casually walked next to Azur and sat down. His body was radiating warmth.

“You’re like an oven!” she sputtered, pushing wet hair out of her face.

He rolled his eyes and put one large wing around her.

Burnt roses.

She couldn’t stop herself from closing her eyes and breathing deeply. She listened to the pitter-patter of rain hit the leafless trees.

“I believe you,” she said, looking up at him.

His eyes were the only other color besides the glowing blue and she shivered from the effect of the contrast. His face looked confused. As if he couldn’t understand the language she was speaking.

“It’s just that,” she babbled, suddenly feeling awkward, “you said no one believed you, god of lies and all that, and I just wanted you—”

He kissed her.

Cupping her head with his hands. It was soft but passionate, sending words he couldn’t say. He suddenly pulled away. His eyes looked tormented, the glow like fire reflecting from within.

Ren’s mouth was parted with shock.

Pick yourself.

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