Page 130 of The Eternal Mirror
“She’ll burn this world,” I say. “She told me that. And she will, before she will allow you to win.”
“Good.” Khronus’s smile widens. “Then I’ll rise from the ashes.”
“You’ll be gone. Everything will be gone. She’ll wipe you out. You think this splinter gives you control, but it’s tearing you apart. And you’re too arrogant to even see it.”
Khronus chuckles. “You think I haven’t noticed the cracks? Oh, I’ve noticed. But they don’t matter. Because soon, the EternalMirror will be whole and it will be mine, the way it was always meant to be.”
“It belongs to no one. You’re crazy if you think you can control it.” I step forward. “Give it up. You’re not winning. Not really. You’ve lost already—you just don’t see it yet.”
“Lost?” Khronus laughs. “My enemies are scattered—mainly thanks to my future queen. My army grows by the day. Even now, the Eternal Mirror draws near. When I’ve passed through, there’ll be nothing to stop me. Not you. Not her.”
“She’ll die to stop you,” I say.
“Then let her try. And die.”
I can see there is no way of persuading him. He won’t listen to reason, and he won’t listen to threats. It’s clear he thinks he’s invincible. Is he right? Is Amber’s way the only way to stop him?
He gets to his feet and strolls down the steps. I resist the instinct to reach for my sword.
“You know what I see when I look at you, son?” Khronus says softly. “A vessel. A dragon, caged by love. When she’s my queen, I’ll free you. I’ll ride the dragon across my new world. Let the stars weep.”
I bare my teeth in a cold smile. “You’ll never ride my dragon.”
Khronus’s smile is a blade. “Of course I will. When he no longer remembers your name. No longer remembers that he was ever a man. A fit steed for a god.” He turns away, back to the throne. “Now go.”
“You’re letting me go?” I ask. I thought I would have to fight my way out of here, but there are no guards. Maybe he really does believe he’s invincible.
Khronus flicks a finger in my direction, and I’m hurled backward. I crash into a pillar, and crumple to the floor. He strolls across the room to stand over me. “I’m sending you back. Carry a message to Amber. Tell her I’m waiting. Tell her to bring her fire. Let her do her worst.”
I watch him for a moment longer, then push myself to my feet. It’s hard to believe that, despite our similar looks, he is blood of my blood. I feel nothing for him except contempt and hatred. Then I turn and walk out. I don’t look back. The skin down my spine prickles as I force myself to maintain a steady pace. I’ll show no weakness.
But as I step into the night, I feel the cold certainty settle into my bones: the end is coming. And there’s only one way left I can help her.
And I fucking hate it.
Chapter 50
Khaos
After I leave the temple, I head toward the main gates, then out of the city and along the road that leads to the Chamber of Mirrors.
I’m expecting to encounter some sort of opposition, but there are no guards.
Amber once told me that I needed to find my father’s weakness:
It’s clear to me now: arrogance.
He’s an arrogant fucker who believes he’s indestructible. Or maybe he doesn’t just believe it; heknowsit.
Once in the Chamber, I find the mirror I need. It takes me to the cave on Valandria, not far from Hecate’s village, which is not much more than a pile of ash now. But it’s also close to the temple of Selene.
I’ve never seen the goddess before. She comes to Amber in visions, but never to me. And believe me, I have prayed, yet I’ve never received an answer. I gather from what Amber says that she’s been a little busy and preoccupied for the last few millennia. Ever since she killed her mate, Vortex, she’s been bound to the void, trying to hold the Eternal Mirror together, so it doesn’t implode and take the rest of us with it.
But it’s always been said that if you want your prayers answered, then you should go to the temple. So that’s where I’m going.
I whisper the opening spell and step through the mirror into complete darkness. But I’ve been here before, and I head toward where I know the entrance is. My outstretched hand touches the wall, and I trail my fingers along it until I come to the opening. I make my way along the narrow tunnel through the mountain, and soon the absolute darkness gives way to dim light. The cave opens in a sheer wall of rock, and just ahead, twin stone towers mark the path I must follow. By the placement of the sun, it’s late afternoon, and I want to be back as soon as possible, so I shift and take to the air. The journey takes minutes, and soon I’m circling the crumbling temple. It’s devoid of life, strangely empty—a huge amphitheater open to the sky. I touch down in the center and shift back.
I close my eyes for a moment and pray for Selene to hear me. Nothing happens. But then, I didn’t think it was going to be that easy.
