Page 40 of Queen of the Wicked
With a brush against the stubble on his chin, Eryx sighed. “Then we continue our research on the route tomorrow. At least Kael didn’t suspect the black magic.”
Erebos scoffed. “If Kaeldidsuspect it, we wouldn’t know. He has a way of hiding things up his sleeve. He already got whiff of the scent, and that’s dangerous enough.”
Ever the courageous warrior, Eryx sat up straight, his chest puffed out and his nostrils flaring. “Nobody will touch her. They wouldn’t dare it. You’d burn them to ash in one breath.”
With a soft smile, Erebos rubbed his temples. “I’m afraid I can’t do that anymore. At the moment, I’m forced to leave her safety in your hands.”
“And I do not take that task lightly. I would lay downmy life for you, Erebos, which means I would do the same for her. You have my word.”
Erebos bowed his head in appreciation. “Is Izara still willing to train Alessia after today?”
Thankfully, the change of topic lightened the mood. Eryx cracked a grin, emitting a soft chuckle before he replied, “Not much can frighten Izara away. She seemed even more interested in discovering what Alessia could do with the black magic. I’m afraid she’s more apt than ever to train her. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if she wakes Alessia up herself tomorrow rather than Isla.”
“And did she return with any souls from her trip?”
Eryx’s silence was all he needed to hear.
“Our mission is to create a route for the Seeker as fast as possible and try to make an advancement on Alessia’s training so she is prepared to help escort us. While I am visiting with the Seeker, I will also inquire about King Bastian’sintentionswith Heaven. See what it has to say.”
Eryx quirked a brow. “And if the information is what you’re expecting?”
“Then we will have reason to invade,” he replied. "But I must go about this carefully. If I do not know for certain that tainted souls remain in Heaven, if there is noproof,we will all be exiled.” And with Alessia in the picture now, he couldn’t risk that.Cursed bond.
Erebos’s heart suddenly began to pick up speed, his hand cautiously moving to rub the fluttering over his chest. It was beating wildly, and his palms began to sweat. Whatever he was feeling… Whatever this was… It wasn’thimfeeling this way. It couldn’t be.
And if it was Alessia…
Erebos shot to hit feet, hand still clutched over his heart. “I need to check on Alessia,” he said.
Eryx stood and bowed, the promise he had given him minutes ago echoing in his head. “I will come with you to make sure she is safe.”
Alessia was having a nightmare.
Erebos leaned against the doorway of her room, watching her body thrash from side to side, the Egyptian sheets a rumpled mess around her. His heart physically ached to be near her, but with her dressed in only a satin nightgown, he didn’t want to invade her space or whatever she might be comfortable with.
Sure, he had his fingers inside of her earlier, but that wasn’t because she wanted it. He had felt her lust, but that’s all it was.Lust.She made a promise to Isla and did whatever she could to keep Kael’s attention off of Erebos. For the most part, it had worked.
“Isla should wake her,” Erebos whispered to Eryx. The general eyed Alessia’s body a little too long for his liking, so he cleared his throat, regaining his attention.
“She would wantyouto wake her,” Eryx replied. “That connection isn’t just one-sided, Erebos. It’s impossible. She feels the same way you do. She’s just choosing not to acton it. You know that, right?”
If that were the case, then Alessia wouldn’t seem like she hated being in the same room as him. Then again, what reason had he given hernotto feel that way? Their conversation that night in the library had been awelcome change, but then he was persuaded by Izara to get a rise out of Alessia so that her powers could show themselves. While it had worked, he felt guilty about how it had made her feel when he knew firsthand what it was like to be used as a pawn for someone’s version of the greater good.
He wouldn’t blame her if she despised him for it.
He deserved it.
Feeling a shove to his back, Eryx pushed Erebos into the bedroom to decide for him and closed the door with a softclick.
Chapter 20
Alessia
“What an insolent boy.”
A man draped in white stepped in front of the human in chains, tapping a wooden pole on the marble floor in a rhythmic motion. He smiled at him with a wickedness only certain possess, causing wrinkles to crease beside his emerald eyes.
That cold, lifeless stare was petrifying.
