Page 175 of Between Soul and Vessel
I stroked my power, pulling it to the surface, just beneath my skin.
“Is that how you greet your husband?” Aurelius scoffed, his voice soundingtoomuch like Von’s. I hated it.
“You arenotmy husband,” I grated from between clenched teeth.
His nostrils flared, but he kept his temper bridled, at least for the time being.
Aurelius raised his hand in front of his face, surveyingthe long, tattooed fingers. “Amazing, isn’t it? The stygian forgemaster—Victor—he is rather talented, isn’t he? He made this vessel to look exactly like the Blood King’s.”
Of course, Victor was involved in this, which meant the empress must have been too.
Did that mean . . . Was she here? Lead filled my stomach, weighing it down like an undigested meal, one I had just barely been able to swallow.
Aurelius dropped his hand, sliding it into his pocket. He tipped his head from side to side. “But as impressive as his forging is, I’m looking forward to getting back into my own body whenwe”—his eyes flashed pointedly at mine—“return to the palace.”
We?
“I’m not going anywhere with you,” I seethed venomously.
“We’ll see about that.”
Footsteps sounded, coming from the hallway, toward us. Not daring to take my eyes off Aurelius, I maneuvered to the side, away from the door, closer to the window.
The Goddess of Knowledge stepped into the room. A flick of her wrist had the door slamming shut behind her, locking the three of us inside. Her eyes joined with mine, her expression full of sadness and regret. Iknewthat look. It was the same one Soren had worn—it was the look of a betrayer.
She started, “Sage, I am sorry for—”
“Save your useless apologies,” I cut her off, my voice a sharpened blade, ready to slaughter. “What did you get in return?”
“An exemption from the empress’s laws that means my people won’t have to live in fear anymore.” She let out a breath, her chest falling along with the strength in her voice. “I had to do what was best for my people.”
“You are a fool to trust her, just as I was a fool to trust you,” I growled.
“Perhaps I am,” she answered honestly, softly.Truthfully.
I didn’t respond. There was nothing left to say. Von had been right. Inevershould have trusted her.
Von,I whispered through our bond, where are you?
My mate did not answer.
Von!I shouted on our private channel, desperation seeping into my voice.
Again, nothing.
“Where is Von?” I demanded, my gaze shifting between Aurelius and Naia.
“Nicholas should have the Blood King dealt with by now,” Aurelius answered with nothing but confidence.
Nicholas.
A sickly feeling washed over me.
He was the reason I lost my family. Now, he was here, in the same palace as my sister and my brother. I’d be damned if he stole any more of my loved ones from me. I knew Von could handle himself, but I didn’t know how Artemesia and Kaleb would fare against the sadistic god.
“What about the others?” I growled at Naia, concern lashing the words from my mouth.
Aurelius’s eyes narrowed, swinging to Naia. “Youdidn’t say anything about there beingothers.”
