Page 128 of Of Spindles and Nightfall
He could break their agreement and kill her after she took the potion. He wouldn’t die like someone who made a bargain with Zarathos, but there would be some sort of negative magical retribution for breaking the bargain. She was betting the Xaphoron wasn’t willing to risk that. Not when Aryana was abandoning the arch king already.
Forgive me, Zarathos.She poured the potion over her tongue. A rough, burned, ashy taste coated her mouth.
A triumphant smile spread across his face. “Thank you, Princess. This changes everything. Now, where would you like to go?”
Chapter 42
Zarathos
Zarathos awoke to an empty bed.
He reached out to where Aryana’s body had been nestled next to him, now cold. “Aryana?” he called. He rose and padded into the washroom, only to find it unoccupied, the chilled water from the night before sitting in the washtub. He turned and grabbed his robe, throwing it on as he hurried up the steps to the tower. Shoving open the door, he burst inside, hoping to find her sitting at her loom. But her tapestry sat, a dark night unfinished.
He shut his eyes, trying to sense through the bond where his Bloodbound could be. The call was faint,distant, as if she was far away.
Tying off his robe, he didn’t even take time to dress as he stormed down the steps and toward his bedchamber door. He stalled as his gaze landed on the vanity. The potion he had tried to give Aryana last night was gone.
His jaw clenched, and he gripped the latch and threw the door open.
Marbas stood on the other side of the entrance, hand raised like he was about to knock.
“What are you doing here?” Zarathos growled.
“I have news. About Aryana.” He looked up and down the hall. “May I come in?”
“Quickly. Enter.” Zarathos stepped aside, and Marbas hurried into the room before Zarathos shut the door behind him.
Marbas turned toward Zarathos, dread on his face. “My spies saw Aryana flying off of the castle grounds. She held an empty potion bottle.”
Zarathos released a breath. So she’d left after all. He touched his chest at the ache that struck much harsher than he’d expected. She had seemed so determined to stay. “Wait, flying?”
Marbas nodded. “She left with Xaphoron.”
He blinked in shock. “Why with Xaphoron?”
“I’m unsure, sir, but I felt you needed to be informed. Also, I have word that the trial council delegates from kingdoms Aeria and Spiritu are planning something in private. I fear it may be related to you.”
She was gone. The female he loved. The female who stole his heart with her fiery, unyielding beauty had ultimately left him.
“Is there anything else?” Zarathos asked.
“Anything else?” Marbas echoed in disbelief. “Sir, the council may be plotting against you and now you’ve given the vampire princess the potion, and she’s taken it.”
Yes, she had. She’d taken it as he’d wanted. He ran a hand over his face. “Then it is all as it should be. You are free, Marbas.”
“Free?” Marbas laughed. “You think I want to be free of you? Deals or no deals, you are the best chance we have at a ruler who will keep balance among the kingdoms. To keep creatures from being slaughtered.”
Zarathos turned away. “You may go.”
“You’re still going to try to win the trials, aren’t you? The date for the next one has been changed to tomorrow. They will magically transport a forest straight into the arena. They’re releasing beasts. You can survive this. Hide in the shadows. Please, Zarathos, I’ve been trying to tell you that there is more than only one female’s life on the line.”
“Leave,” Zarathos snarled.
Marbas held up his hands. “Please fight for us, for your kingdom that needs you.” And with that, he turned and stepped out the door, shutting it behind him.
Zarathos dragged his palms over his horns, a low growl rumbling from his chest. He didn’t need a reminder of the wreckage he’d caused. He’d known how it would end. He would give up his kingdom and let the world burn for the vampire princess he loved.
His heart twisted at the thought of her, those fierce eyes, that unyielding mouth etched with determination.
