Page 81 of Queen of Legends and Lies
As if I would believe him. He must be speaking of Queen Aero, but I wouldn’t take his words at face value even if he declared the sky was blue.
Considering his recent attempt on my life, any efforts to convince me to join forces must be a trap. According to him, spilling the blood of a dragoncaller is the last step in resurrecting Narc.
Either he’s decided to break his alliance with the God of Nightmares in a desire for sole control over the drachen and the future of the world, or he’s telling me what he believes I want to hear so I’ll cooperate. He certainly still plans to kill me.
In short, this man’s utterly batshit.
“No convincing you, then?” He sighs, almost regretful.
“Not a chance in the three hells.” I edge back, keeping space between us as he continues his relentless advance. “You know, Narc keeps getting stronger every day.” I try to knock some sense into him. “What happens when he’s powerful enough to no longer need you?”
Xenon waves a dismissive hand, unconcerned. “I can handle Narc. And should he reanimate fully, he’ll be a mighty ally indeed.”
Mighty and utterly evil.
I want to scream at him for his hubris. Has Xenon truly gone mad? Does he really believe he can control a dark god? I keep retreating, mind racing for a way out of this stone prison as he matches me step for step with that unsettling smile. All I can do is back away, maneuvering around tables and benches while keeping my eyes on his face.
He idly touches a golden goblet on a table he’s passing, his fingers trailing over the extravagant metalwork. “They left thispalace when Queen Aero killed Narc. Never came back. Humans shouldn’t meddle with the gods, or the gods will meddle with them.”
You’re one to talk! And right after bragging about being allied with a dead deity.
Anger flares hot in my chest. “The gods already meddle with us. And I, for one, am getting real fucking tired of it.”
To my surprise, Xenon chuckles. “I agree.” He spreads his hands in a gesture of camaraderie. “We need some recourse against the gods. It’s exhausting, always being at their beck and call. Under their dominion. They have their own matters that don’t concern us, yet they keep involving us. Preying on us.” He moves closer, his voice low and earnest. “Perhaps, we could change that. You and I.”
I stare at him, aghast. Is he suggesting what I think he is?
An alliance against the gods.
The thought is so ludicrous, so unthinkable, that I nearly laugh. Nearly. Because beneath the incredulity, a treacherous part of me whispers that he’s right. That the gods have toyed with mortal lives for far too long.
But to challenge them directly…
Suicide.
Utter madness.
And yet, as I meet Xenon’s gaze, I see the spark of ambition, of hunger, that mirrors my own. For one brief, dizzying moment, I allow myself to imagine it. A world where mortals are not playthings for divine whims. A world where we forge our own destinies.
The crazed, impossible dream shatters as quickly as it forms.
This is Xenon.
The man who liberated and then betrayed his own people. Who allied with a dark god and even now seeks to resurrect thatsame malevolent entity. He is not to be trusted, no matter how honeyed his words or tempting his offer.
I step back once more. “You’re insane. I’ll never help you. Never join you. I’d rather die.”
Xenon’s face changes, the mask of genial reason slipping to reveal something colder and crueler beneath. “Oh, Lark, I had so hoped you’d see reason. But if death is what you desire…” He raises his hand.
I brace myself for the impending magical attack.
The battle is about to begin anew, and this time, there will be no escape.
Xenon’s magic swirls around him, an aura of malicious energy. The very ground lifts to become his weapon. “Last chance. Join me willingly, or suffer the consequences.”
I bare my teeth in a defiant snarl, refusing to go down without a fight. “Get fucked.”
“So be it.” He lashes out with his power, and a concentrated blast of air slams into me like a battering ram.
