Page 199 of Heart of the High King
Chapter 74
“Ah yes, there you are again,” Death commented when the dragon flew toward her. For months she’d come to meet him daily, and he was an obstinate beast. She could not blame him; he’d been confined inside Rafe for centuries and though he’d fought valiantly, the now High King was too strong to be thwarted. Another man would’ve lacked the ability to hold such a powerful dragon inside, but Fate and Life had created a man who was Aleksander’s equal. They were a formidable couple, and they’d bargained well with many of their sisters to give them gifts beyond what was expected of a dragon king.
It wasn’t an uncommon practice, as they often amused themselves by finding creative new traits to pile together. There were times when they failed, and their subject had defied them by embracing evil, but not Rafe and Aleksander. They’d excelled and their love shone like a beacon through the portals that allowed Death and her family to view them. But none of them would be satisfied with their success until they could convince Rafe’s dragon to return to him.
“You were made strong, but there’s no reason to continue to be such a pain in my ass,” Death told him. Staring at her with unwavering eyes of the darkest black, Rafe’s appearance had altered and so had his dragon, making him unique, which Death found she quite liked. Why should Aleksander’s beast be the only one in D’Vaire colors? “Stop making me come here every day. He’s pining for you, and I keep getting called to the living side to deal with my sisters’ questions.”
Lifting a hand, she allowed her magic to flow freely, causing her skin to thin and exposing her bones. “Come here, dragon. Allow me to help you to the portal, so Life can rebirth your soul. It will reconnect you to Rafe. There is no other way back to him.”
The dragon took a few steps and though she wanted to run toward him, Death stood her ground and waited for him. Her lashes slipped closed as the light presence of his spirit rested against her palm.
“Such a magnificent beast,” Death whispered. “Your mate awaits you. Already Aleksander loves you.”
Letting out a sigh of relief, Death created a medallion and pulled his willing soul into it. Once her task was complete, she slipped it into a large pocket in her flowing skirts and, a heartbeat later, wished herself to the portal. Although there was too much light and the brightness irritated her, Death strode down the hall of her family’s palatial home, searching for any of the idiots who shared her gifts.
The breath was knocked from her when she tumbled to the ground seconds later, after a large object smashed into her.
“Oh dear,” Grace said. “I didn’t even see you.”
Death glared as she pushed herself off the floor. “How you came to have that name when you completely lack refinement will always be a mystery to me.”
“Yes, well, I must be off.”
“Grace, where is Life?” Death called after her.
“In the garden with Fate and Eternity.”
“Eternity?” Death screeched. “After what she did, how could anyone allow her in the house?” It didn’t matter that thousands of years had passed; Death had no use for Eternity and doubted she ever would.
“No idea,” Grace yelled, running as fast as her ethereal legs would carry her.
Mouth set in a mutinous line, Death stalked to the garden. Just as Grace had said, Life along with Fate stood there listening patiently to a goddess with hair so blonde, it was nearly white. Shoving aside the curtain in the archway that separated the house from the land, Death did not stop walking until she was two steps from Eternity. The goddess gulped and her swirling gaze hit the grass.
“What areyoudoing here?” Death demanded.
“Well, it seems that Roriethiel and Drekkoril might be waking up,” Eternity said, though the words trailed off into almost a whisper.
“I’m sorry, did you say Roriethiel and Drekkoril? Because I seem to recall that you fought to make sure they would never awaken.”
“You’re the one who didn’t want everyone wiped out,” Fate pointed out.
“Dark Fae need the Fae. There must be balance,” Death sneered. “Where are Daravius, Xakiok, and Zarasha?”
“It’s going to take a while to lift the spell on Roriethiel and Drekkoril, but it is, of course, going to awaken your favored Dark Fae, too. But don’t worry, I’ve got a mate lined up for Daravius, and he’s wonderful. I’m still searching for the perfect matches for the others, but I did find one for Roriethiel as well.”
“Awhat?” Death screamed.
“Roriethiel deserves a partner just like everyone else,” Fate answered with a smug grin.
“I will not stand around and argue over ancient history,” Death snarled. “Tell me it’s a soul that’s already crossed the veil so he might not expect to meet his other half.”
“How fair would that be?” Fate asked. “What are you doing here, anyway?”
“I have Rafe’s dragon,” Death pulled the medallion out from her pocket. “You can rebirth him and place him carefully inside Rafe’s soul.”
Life smiled as she took the black oval and the light made it glimmer. “Wonderful.”
“Use care; he’s been through enough. I do not want him to suffer,” Death insisted.
