Page 261 of Bonds of Hercules
“No,” I whispered.
“Yes.”
He slowly rotated my arm until the pointed end of the staff aimed toward him.
Augustus took a step back, still holding my wrist in a punishing grip, the long crimson rod stretched between us, its end wickedly sharp.
“Alexis Hert,” whispered through my skull. “I love you.”
With un-counterable strength, he yanked my arm forward—straight into his heart.
I screamed as he fell to his knees, skewered on the staff.
Desperately, I yanked out the sharp end, touching it gently over the bleeding wound.
I focused on healing.
On the tingling in my hands.
The pain in my chest.
My fingers lit up with white light, the rod glowing brighter as if set on fire from within.
“No, my carus.”
Black eyes flashed as they opened—he smacked the rod away and it slammed against the wall in a sizzling splash of blood.
“No!”
“The greatest honor I’ve ever known … is being your husband. It’s a privilege to be branded for you. Thank you.”
Lashes closed.
Reeling from blood loss and the shock of it all, I tripped over the sand.
Your hands are glowing—heal him yourself.
I stopped and turned back toward Augustus, pure panic making it hard to think. I didn’t know if it would work, but I had to try.
“THE ROUND IS OVER,” Zeus announced.
No!
He jumped down through the force field and landed right next to Augustus, holding Vulcan metal.
Too quickly, Zeus ripped Augustus’s toga open.
Storm-gray eyes met mine as he plunged the brand down onto his unblemished skin and flesh sizzled.
Pure, unadulterated loathing filled me.
Guards swarmed out, picking up Augustus’s limp body, and carrying him away.
I fell to my knees.
Nyx hissed and wrapped around my neck. “Don’t look, kid,” she whispered.
It was too late for me.
