Page 79 of A Realm of Fire and Ash

Of course she gave him a stupid feather.

"You must've died before he regenerated."

"Then who was my tether before him? I died a hundred times before I ever met him!"

I shrug. "Your parents, probably."

"If my tether is in Bedlam, why am I stuck here?!"

That's the real question, isn't it? I think I know, but I can't tell her. Instead, I give her another shrug. "We'd better head back. The ceremony is early tomorrow morning."

"Ceremony?"

I tuck my hands in my pockets, leisurely making my way towards the castle. "Where you ask for your favor, of course."

* * *

Morte

The castle isquiet when we arrive, not a soul in sight. Not even Caius awaits our arrival, something that strikes me as odd. Instead, Irid stands sentry in the grand entrance, ready to escort me to the dungeon.

"She comes with me." Aggonid doesn't so much as glance at Irid as he ushers me down the hall.

I walk beside him, a million questions coursing through my mind. But I can't utter a word; I'm too choked with emotion knowing I'm so close to my goal. Before I know it, the hall changes from one of sheer darkness and despair to beautiful tapestries and velvet drapes.

We stand outside a door, twice as tall as Aggonid, with hand-carved demons spanning the entire face of it. He takes a deep breath before pushing it open, revealing a grand bedroom with a marble floor with veins of onyx. It’s different than the one I stayed in before. The walls are adorned with frescos of fire and wings, all depicting some kind of epic battles. And in the middle of it all, lays a bed grander than the other one, draped in various shades of inky silk.

The sound of a running bath draws my attention to a door at the far side of the room and Aggonid motions me forward before nodding, a gesture of silent understanding. I walk cautiously towards the room and find myself in a grand bathroom with a walk-in pool-like tub full of hot steamy water.

My eyes scan the room and take in the lush décor. The walls are lined with marble panels, creating a sort of elegant mosaic with several alcoves. In one of the recesses sits a golden goblet with a drop of something in it. I take the glass in my hand and bring it to my nose to smell its contents.

My head whips around, my eyes locking with Aggonid. "How did you get this here?"

He grins. "Oh, please." He stalks towards me. "Where do you think the humans get it from?"

He takes the chalice and brings it to his lips, indulging in a sip of the glowing green liquid.

A spicy aroma fills the air as he swallows and his eyes meet mine, the pupils glowing red. "Only the finest absinthe for you." He tilts the cup towards me.

I take a sip and feel the fire travel down my throat. I gulp it down and almost choke as my body starts to shiver.

"Surprised?" He laughs.

I sputter and try to hand him back the cup. "That was ... that was strong."

He grins, taking the goblet back and setting it in the nook. Something passes between us. Something unspoken and silent, but I can't put my finger on it.

Aggonid steps back, gesturing towards the bath. "Join me?"

I eye it warily. "I've already bathed tonight."

"That was before you'd allowed those two mongrels to—"

Red hot fury swirls in my gut and I cannot contain it. In a single, violent motion, I barrel myself forward and shove the devil into the pool, watching in satisfaction as the water rises to greet him.

He splutters as he emerges, water dripping from his hair and down his face.

I sneer, crossing my arms. "Who's the mongrel now?"

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