“Well, spit it out child. I don’t have all day.” She stands, her movements are regal and full of superiority as she moves closer to me.
“I... uh... that is... I.” I stutter several times, my eyes darting everywhere in the room but Neris’ eyes, which doesn’t prevent me from noticing her roll her eyes at me.
“Must you always stutter? You are a goddess Draythys. You should talk and behave as one.” Her tone sounds disappointed and snide, as if I’m not worthy of her time.
I cast my eyes down to the ground. She’s right, as always. I don’t behave like the strong powerful goddess I once was. Centuries of mind games, rejection, and loneliness are the cause. Everyone else believes it is Ebris who is the cause of my deteriorating mental health. Why can’t they see he is everything to me? Straightening up, I push my shoulders back in a show of confidence, which receives a tiny smile from Neris.
“I wanted to talk to you about Vemnos and the phoenix. I want to know why you sent Galen there?” I’m quick to get the words out before I lose what little confidence I have.
“Why do you want to know these things? They are of little concern to you.” She steps in front of me, assessing me with her penetrative gaze. The clench of her jaw and the heavy sigh are hard to miss. “I will tell you the same thing I told Galen. Things happen for a reason. Certain things are beyond mine, his, or even your control. It is the way of the universe, it demands and we must listen. Galen will know what he needs to know all in good time. Things like these cannot be rushed.” She brings her hand up to cup my cheek, “Draythys, compared to me you are but a child. I am as old as time itself. I know the ways of the universe. Do I agree with everything that is to happen? Most certainly not, but I cannot and will not change them.” Turning her hand around, she brushes my cheek with her knuckles, her multiple rings lightly scuffing against my skin. “I know your reasoning for asking me. Your feelings for Ebris have not gone unnoticed. Neither has your hatred for Vemnos. I know you wish for Alina to kill him.” She brings her hand up and runs her fingers through my hair. It feels like a motherly gesture, but knowing Neris, it would be more likely a form of making me submit. “But what you are expecting her to do is to murder a man she loves. Imagine yourself in her position. Would you so easily kill the man you desire in order to save yourself and maybe another person's lover? It is not an easy decision to make, yet you expect her to make it with a snap of her fingers.” Lowering her hands again, she stands still, assessing me once more, eyes flickering between mine. “Anything meaningful is worth the wait. If the things we wanted were easy to obtain then everyone would have them and they would lose their value. Tell me, child, do you really believe Ebris is worth the wait, or is it just the idea of him you want?”
“I love him.” My lip trembles, my eyes water and Neris still looks at me.
“You know nothing of love. How can you believe the way that monster treats you could mean, in anyway, he loves you? Are you blind to the way he fills his bed every night with someone new? Or the fact Vemnos spends more and more time with him daily?" She takes a deep breath stepping away from me. “You are nothing to him. And you never will be. He doesn’t care about anyone or anything. The sooner you realize that child, the better you will be.”
I know what she is saying is true, but how can I change the way my heart feels? “But—”
“No buts, child. You came here wanting answers and I have given you all I can or will. Now please leave.” She points toward the door, her face an expression of disinterest and disgust.
I give a polite nod before leaving the room and Neris’ presence as quickly as possible.
Storming down the hallway toward the gardens, all I can think is how I hate it here. I hate being the outcast. I hate Neris. I hate Vemnos. Sometimes, I even hate Ebris.
There’s only one person in this entire dismal place who I don’t hate, Idnera. I reach the stunning gardens. Zevanna really does take care of it so well. There’s so much color. The beautiful blooms are everywhere. Their subtle perfume envelopes me, filling my thoughts of delicious sweets and berries. In the middle of the perfect garden is one tall weeping willow tree. It’s branches hang so far down they brush against the floor creating a curtain of beauty.
Carefully pulling back the branches, I step through. As always, near the trunk is a huge pile of comfy pillows and Idnera sprawled across them, reading another book. Her ankle length violet hair cascades around her, appearing really dark against her pink skin.
She is beautiful. But then again, so she should be, seeing as she is the Goddess of Love and Beauty. Everyone loves Idnera. No one questions her, or taunts her. Not one person, god or otherwise has ever said a mean word about her. For in their eyes, she can do no wrong.
When we were younger, I had been envious of her. Of her beauty, her kindness, the way people care and love her, everything. But over time I came to realize she wasn’t happy being classed as the golden girl all the time. She longed for what I essentially had. Freedom.
According to her, because I was the outcast, I was free to come and go as I pleased. But she could never go anywhere without someone questioning or wanting to tag along. She said it was exhausting to have someone watching her every move. We became really close friends quickly. She doesn’t agree with me chasing Ebris. Or my thirst for Vemnos’ blood. Even she calls me foolish from time to time. Tells me to get my head out of the sand and see Ebris for what he really is. Every time I tell her I love him, I get an eye roll.
I fall down to the ground collapsing on the pillows I find, throwing my hands over my eyes.
“So, how did it go?” her soft voice calls out, sweeter than any bird song.
“Figures, I haven’t even made myself comfortable yet and you decide to start asking questions,” I huff out, rolling on my side to face her, as she copies my movements.
“Come on now. You promised you would tell me how it went with, Nasty Neris,” she whines like a child. I know she’s just doing it to make me smile. Whenever I feel sad and low, Idnera will always find a way to cheer me up.
I’m so grateful for my best friend. With my brother often absent, too obsessed with his little phoenix to bother spending time with me, she is the only one left who enjoys my company. I sigh and tell her everything Neris said and watch how my friend’s expression transforms from happy to confused and then finally angry.
“Ugh, why does that dreadful woman have to be so dismissive of people? I saw what she put Galen through over the years. Still surprises me to this day he never turned around and shanked her with his horn.” A little giggle escapes at the idea of Neris being stabbed by a unicorn. Almost as funny as the idea of Vemnos going up in flames by the hand of a phoenix.
“I honestly don’t know Iddy. It’s just so damn infuriating. Why do they always keep secrets? One of these days I’ll find out. Soon. Hopefully.”
“You’re hoping Zevanna’s phoenix will kill Vemnos soon, aren’t you?” Iddy’s face looks pensive, her brow furrowed just a little.
“Of course. I’ve been waiting centuries for the bastard to die. If it wasn’t for the poor guy he was wearing as a meat suit, he would have been dead ages ago.”
“And if and when he does die, then what? Are you hoping Ebris is just going to sweep you into his arms and declare his undying love to you?” She reaches out to brush a fallen strand of my hair away. Her fingers lightly skim my cheek, her touch so featherlight I can barely feel it.
“You know what I wish for Iddy.” I close my eyes and take a few reassuring deep breaths, before opening them again and meeting Iddy’s concerned gaze.
“I know. But what you wish for and what you need are two different things. He is so wrong for you. Everyone can see it. I can see it. The only person who doesn’t wish to see it, is you. Dray, you are my best friend and I only want what’s best for you, and Ebris? He isn’t it.”
I push her hand away and pull myself up so I’m sitting. I gaze down at her. Her face is full of worry, eyes showing sympathy. Sympath
y I don’t want. “And what would you suggest, hmm? Forget about him? Forget Vemnos? Let the bastard live, just so he can continue slaughtering innocent people? I don’t expect you to understand Iddy, but I did expect you to be supportive. Why the sudden change? Why do you tell me these things now, instead of centuries ago? What is going on? Why all these secrets and questions?” I begin tapping my skull again, my fingers dig into my scalp as I try and block out the questions blasting through my mind.
Idnera sits up, rubbing large circles over my back. “Dray, come on now breathe. I’m sorry if I upset you sweetie. But I have been telling you all this time to forget Ebris, you have just never wanted to listen. Let me help you. We could leave here. Just you and me. Leave them all behind. Let them fight their battles.”
I turn to look at her. Her face now mirrors my own. Matching tear-filled eyes and furrowed brows. “You know I can’t leave. I have responsibilities. If I don’t look after the underworld, who will? The only people I trust enough to do that are you and my brother. And well, my brother, as usual, isn’t here. I must stay.”
“Fine. But if you are to stay, please I beg of you, forget Ebris. Or at least try. He will only lead to your destruction. You know I’m right. I promise I will do whatever I can to help, but please just stay away from him.”
I stand silently, smoothing down my clothes as I start walking away. I gather the branches back and just before I step through, I glance back to Idnera, who is now standing as well. “You know I can’t do that Iddy. I’m sorry. But I’ve come this far, I’m not prepared to give up now.”
I watch her tears silently fall down her cheeks as she realizes I mean what I say. I turn away from her once more and allow the branches to close behind me as I walk away. I realize this may damage our friendship forever. But if I have a chance at happiness then damn right I’m going to take it.
VEMNOS
That little bitch!
How fucking dare she let her unicorn attack me!
I stomp down the halls, my anger boiling. People are quick to move out of my way as I plough through them. I can always gut them later if I have no use for them.
How fucking dare she!
“Neris! Where the fuck are you, you little witch!”
“No need to shout, dear. I may be old but I’m not deaf,” she snidely replies from behind her desk.
“No need to shout? Are you shitting me? Look! Look at what your little pony did to me.” I hold my bleeding arm up to her, my blood dripping down onto her polished floor.
She rolls her eyes at me, folding her arms in front of her. “And? Your point is? Look, I don’t have time for your bitching and whining. So, unless you have something to say, I’d suggest you please leave.”
The bitch has the audacity to wave me off. “My fucking arm was stabbed by your pet! So, I think this does concern you, don’t you?”
My nostrils flare, my fists balling with the effort it’s taking me to stop from plunging my hand into her chest, ripping her heart out and devouring it in front of her. There’s no point in even attempting that. After all she is immortal, she’ll just come back and tear me a new one.
“How is what Galen does anything to do with me? I’m not his keeper.” Her eyes begin to glow brightly, filled with contempt for me.
“Are you not? I thought since you kept him here under lock and key for centuries you were.”
“I did not keep him under lock and key. It was his choice to stay, not mine.”
“Ha, if you believe that, then you’re not as wise as you claim. Do you really think the boy wanted to stay here? He probably hates you just as much as everyone else, you old crone.”
I step closer to her as she rises slowly up from her desk.
“Now, you listen here, you little brat. Do you really think I’m scared of you? Or Ebris for that matter? You are nothing more than a vile little cretin. If my pet stabbed you, then you most certainly deserved it. You have done nothing but cause pain and anguish to everyone you meet. You think I don’t know about your visits to the phoenix, you repugnant creature.”
I watch as her hands brace against the desk, her long nails biting into the wood.
“How do you know about that?”
“Ha, I am the Goddess of Knowledge and Wisdom, it’s in the name. I know everything that is worth knowing. You cannot hide anything from me.” Her lips turn up into a smug smirk as she glares at me.
“Why did you get involved? It’s none of your concern what I do.” I push my face into her personal space, my last words coming out as spit across her face.
She wipes my spit away and slaps me hard across the face, her rings catching my lip. “Why? Because I can, that’s why. You have tortured and murdered that poor woman for centuries, don’t you think it’s about time she fought back?”
I swipe my hand across my mouth and notice she’s drawn blood. The sight of my almost black blood against my red skin is such a beautiful sight. I grow hard just from the sight of it. I look up at her with my trademark sinister smirk. Her expression is one of hatred and anger. I spring forward to kiss her, biting her lip as I draw back again.
Now it’s her turn for her nostrils to flare, her eyes bulging, as she roughly shoves me back so I stumble.
“Don’t touch me! Leave this instant! Now!” She screams so loud the windows shake, the ground rumbles and I’m pushed back by the force of it.
Righting myself, I salute her before heading back toward the door, opening it. Gripping the handle, I turn back with a grin. “Next time, don’t interfere with my toys. If I see your little pony again, I will slice him open from top to tail and bathe Alina in his blood as I jerk myself off.” I don’t hear her shouts and curses as I walk through and slam the door behind me.
I shove the door open so hard it bangs against the wall as I storm through.
“To what do I owe the pleasure?” Ebris grins. He’s spread out naked across the large bed. His long hair drapes down his muscular chest. He looks poised, regal and oh so fuckable.
“Get your ass over here now and suck my cock,” I reply, stripping off my clothes. His rough chuckle resonates through me, making me harder.
“I do the ordering around here, boy, not you. How about you get your red ass over here and suck my cock? Then maybe I’ll return the favor.”
I’m so fucking hard I don’t dare argue with him. I stalk across the room once I’ve shed all of my clothes and join him on the bed. He moves his legs so I can maneuver my body between them. I run my hands up his thighs, my talons biting into them, drawing just the faintest amount of blood. I smear it around, watching with fascination as the crimson color marrs his white skin.
Drawing my hands up further, I reach the base of his cock. I trail my talons along his hardness, not hard enough to draw more blood, but just enough to mark it slightly.
I’m rewarded with a sharp hiss. “Stop teasing me, boy.” He grips my hair hard as he pulls my face down to his leaking cock. I look up at him from under my eyelids with a smirk as I reach my tounge out and lap at his precum. Another hiss as he moves his hands to grip my horns pushing me down harder, until his cock is deep down the back of my throat. As I come back up, I graze my teeth against him, my fangs piercing his velvet skin, making him bleed.
“Ahh, fuck. That feels good,” he moans, grasping me harder.
“You like it when your cock is covered in blood, don’t you?” I grin.
“Less talking, more sucking.” He roughly shoves me back down until I gag slightly as he hits the back of my throat.
The metallic taste of his blood and his salty precum are such a delicious mixture I nearly empty my load right then and there. I pull up, sitting back on my knees looking at the haunting god in front of me. Without asking permission, I move forward until I’m straddling him.
“Who said you could move, boy? Did I give you permission to stop sucking my cock?” Ebris scolds with a sinful grin, making me harder by the second.
“Ah, you won’t be complaining in a minute.” I
grin back, feeling him swell beneath me.
He answers with his hands falling onto my hips, fingers digging in hard, just the way I like. I lean forward as Ebris rises up to greet me, as our lips forcibly crash against each other. I bite down into his lip, as he does the same to mine, and we moan together.
Ebris's hands slide down my hips toward my ass and he roughly shoves my cheeks apart. He jolts upward and spears me with his thick cock. It burns so good. We never bother with preparation or lubricating because the pain is just too good to miss. I sit back up, until I’m completely seated on him. His thick cock stretching me oh so sweetly.
“Ride me, bitch boy,” Ebris whisper moans. I do as he asks, rising up and slamming down onto him, enjoying the burn. He takes one of his nails and draws it across his chest, breaking the skin until his blood trickles out across his pale white chest. I reach down with my tongue and lap at the delicious liquid. Better than any fucking wine I’ve ever tasted. Sweeter than any pussy I’ve consumed or cock I’ve devoured.
Nothing beats the taste of blood. Nothing.
Ebris’s hand slinks down between us until his long thin fingers wrap around my cock.
Pure bliss.
He begins pounding into me harder, gripping my cock so hard as he jerks me off. My balls begin to tingle from the pressure building and I know I’m not going to last much longer. There’s no fucking way I’m finishing without him. I want to see his face scrunch up in pleasure when I finally spill myself all over him.
Ebris punishingly pounds into me with such force, I know he’s probably ripping my ass wide open and it’s fucking ecstasy. I bite down hard into his chest. He sharply hisses and moans as he empties himself into me. I follow straight after with a loud shout. I finish licking at his skin, his wound already healing as I push myself up and off of him.
Echoes of the Past (The Alina Chronicles Book 1) Page 18
