Page 7 of The Dark Rises
Madoc shoves a large hand through his messy black hair. “Yes. He’s agreed to do it.”
“Leandra has spies everywhere. You trust he won’t say anything, right?” Cormal questions. “We can’t take a chance she’ll find a way to avoid us.”
A strangled sound emerges from Madoc’s throat as if something caught in it. “He won’t say a word. I swear on my life.” His arrogant eyebrow lifts. “Have you planned our route? I’d like to know where we’re going.”
Cormal’s smirks in defiance. “Not yet. I’ve been preoccupied.” He reaches out and lays a possessive hand on my leg. “Besides, I’m not sure I want you to know until it’s time to leave.”
Madoc shakes his head and his jaw clenches, but he says nothing. Probably because he too trusts no one.
“We lived in a lot of places. Mostly warm spots, but there are a few very cold locations, too. Do you have a parka and gloves?” I ask Madoc.
“Why? I can just regulate my temperature,” Madoc replies with a raised eyebrow.
Ignoring him, I turn toward Cormal. “We’ll need clothes. Can you get those for us?” It’s easier to magically dress in clothes already created instead of conjuring them from scratch because the process takes a lot of magic and is too time consuming. “Also, can you find out what happened to Rivan? I’m worried about him.”
Madoc steps forward before Cormal can answer. “I’ll check on him. Where did you see him last?” He listens as I tell him about the treaties. “The kraken might be the best place to start. I’ll return when I have news.” Long legs eat up the distance to the door, and he’s gone before I can even reply.
Cormal swiftly stands. “I need to check on The Underworld, grab some warmer clothes, and give Kavi some instructions.” He leans down and captures my lips in a swift kiss. “Don’t leave The Abbey. Please.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m going to check on Solandis and have a chat with Arden.”
Satisfied with my answer, he leaves, and I pick up my phone to text Vargas.
Meri: How is Solandis? Can I come by for a visit?
Vargas: You better come quick. Ever since she woke up, she’s been threatening to make me a eunuch if I don’t let her see you.
Meri: Floor?
Vargas: Fourth floor. Right above yours.
Meri: On my way.
Chuckling, I wave a hand to clean up the dishes and head toward the elevator. When the doors open on the fourth floor, Callyx is standing there.
“Hey, how is she?” I ask him, knowing Solandis will try to pretend everything is fine.
“She’s shaken up by Lorn’s kidnapping. Normally, it would piss her off, but the baby is her biggest concern,” he replies in a harsh tone. “She’s better here, at The Abbey. Safe.”
Guilt weighs heavily on my shoulders. “I wish I had never brought him into our lives. Not once did it occur to me that he wasn’t what he portrayed to me—Allandra’s brother and a light Fae.”
“Solandis isn’t sure you would have been able to tell, anyway. Mixed bloods are more difficult to identify as light or dark, and you were just learning how to identify the Fae,” he reveals with ashrug. “I’ve got to leave. Lucifer still has me on the hunt for the monster that escaped.”
“Should we be worried?” I ask. One monster is quite enough.
“We’re not sure. The Devil didn’t leave records of those he incarcerated in The Below. Lucifer only knows he’s missing because he recently counted them,” he tells me. “Oh. Tell Cormal he’s on Lucifer’s shit list. Nobody is supposed to have access to The Below but him.” Turquoise eyes narrow in speculation.
Is that where Cormal sent Lorn? I hope so. I never want to see him again. “I’ll pass it along. Be careful.” Kissing his cheek, I slide past him and down the hall.
Vargas opens the door the second I knock. Kaius’ tall, lean body, chestnut brown hair and light green eyes are gone, and in its place is the old Vargas, with his massively big, stacked muscular body, shaved head, dark complexion, and pitch-black eyes. I don’t know if it’s because he could only wear that face for a limited time or if he wanted to make Solandis feel more at ease. I wish he could stay in this form. It’s so good to see the old him.
“Get in here.” Closing it, he engulfs me in a tight hug. “Thank you.” Emotions clog his throat, making his voice tight.
Embarrassed, I return his hug and ease out of his arms. “Where is she?”
I don’t want to make a big deal out of the whole crown thing, especially when I’m not sure it was ever mine in the first place. Maybe temporarily, like a guardian. I miss being queen, but the light Fae always felt pretentious and self-serving to me.
Strong, thin arms hug me close. “Meri, Meri. What have you done?” Solandis’ turquoise eyes stare at me as two tears roll down her face. “The crown chose you as our queen. Why would you give that up?”
