Page 28 of Of Spindles and Nightfall
He smiled and stepped up to take them from Sabious, but they snatched the potions back.
“Ah, ah, Your Majesty. You know how this works. Payment up front.” They held out their hand.
Zarathos delved into his robes and dropped the pouch of gold coins into Sabious’s palm. The small bag was much more full than usual.
They attached the bag to their belt. “And the other.”
Zarathos let out a low growl, but lifted out the small vial of his blood and handed it over to Sabious.
Hunger mounted in their eyes. “Yes, yes, once mixed correctly, my clients will pay a fortune for a potion with a drop of this.”
He normally rejected such requests from Sabious, but this time, in order to get the potions he needed promptly, it was worth the risk. Besides, Zarathos had servants on hand that could silence Sabious if they made a wrong move. He felt certain Sabious knew that.
But, naturally, Sabious also understood Zarathos’s great need for them. It became a game of cat and mouse, although he wasn’t sure who played the cat and who played the mouse on most occasions.
“You needn’t look so perturbed, Your Majesty,” Sabious said, flicking a hand in Zarathos’s direction. “I fully accept our weirdly symbiotic relationship. I need you. You need me. Why in the world would I disturb that? I simply want fair payment for my services.” They held up the vial, looking more than a little eager.
“Then we are done here.”
“Are you forgetting the golden thread you promised me?”
“I will send the rest of the payment tomorrow.”
Sabious smiled. “Then we are all set for now.” They handed over both of the potion bottles. “I’ll see you again when it’s time, unless you send that ridiculously stoic servant of yours. What’s his name? Pithian? That demon could use a bit of the potion I will create with this.” They nodded toward the vial filled with blood as they tucked it, too, into their belt. “Good day, Your Majesty. Oh, and Neutrolisis was especially difficult to put together in such a short period. I would beverycareful with how you use that.”
Zarathos nodded and turned to leave. His demon guard stood just outside the tent, falling into step beside him as they disappeared into the trees.
“Until we meet again.” Zarathos stalked into the shadows, feeling both defeated and triumphant. That was always the way with Sabious. He supposed he should be used to it by now, but he still hated the extra visits it often took to get anything unexpected. The potions dealer seemed to revel in exploiting such moments.
Zarathos reached into his pocket, fingers brushing over the potions. The struggle was justified. His plans were taking shape. A smile crept to his lips as he thought of Aryana. A part of him anticipated the look of surprise coming to those challenging crimson eyes when he presented to her his escape plan.
After tonight, the vampress would be free, and they could move on to retrieving the scepter. They had no time to waste as the opening ceremony for the Demon Trials was only a couple nights away.
Chapter 12
Aryana
When night descended, Zarathos emerged through the shadows.
“I have good news, Aryana. Your savior has arrived.” He stepped forward, a grin on his face, a vial filled with a dark liquid in his hands.
He took her in and frowned. “What is this?”
Aryana touched the collar, a sourness on her tongue. “King Salen has decided to keep me.”
He stepped closer, his eyes growing wide. He reached out and ran a clawed finger over the metal. “Because locking you in a room wasn’t controllingenough.”
“He… wants to make this arrangement permanent and if I don’t obey him, he can hurt me.” She wrapped her arms around herself, a shiver running through her at the memory of being unable to move for hours on the floor.
Zarathos’s expression darkened, something black and threatening sparking in his gaze as his hand dropped to his side. “He has hurt you,” he said with a soft snarl.
It wasn’t a question. She hesitated, but then nodded. “He says he’s going to marry me.”
His breath picked up, and the gold light in his eyes glowed with a burning intensity. “The bastard.”
Aryana stared at Zarathos, her brows drawing together. “Are you…angry?”
“Of course I’m angry. Look at you.” He glanced away, his square jaw clenching. “The transformative potion I brought is useless in your current state. How can I get you out when he’s got you locked down like this?”
