by Meg Xuemei X
Morgan left the dragoness, and the beast snapped her head back and forth to look for her foe, fire and smoke puffing out of her nostrils.
“What’s the matter, Merlin?” Morgan said. “You once gave up your mate. Is your dragon more precious than her?”
Ouch, that stung. The King of Hell really knew how to rub salt on a wound.
“You have no fucking idea what it cost me to send my mate away,” Merlin snarled, aggressive white light and dark fire twirling around his hands, but he was restraining himself from attacking Morgan again. “I’ll give you anything except for my mate and my dragon.”
“I’ve wanted a dragon for an eon,” Morgan said. “Your dragon can help us guard the souls. I alone have carried the burden for too long. Even as the powerful King of the Underworld, the collective shadow power of the dead is bearing down on me and my Guardians. We no longer have enough fire to confine that many souls, especially the numerous evil ones, eon after eon.
“You’ve seen what happened to Alessandro. He turned into a big liar who no longer carries a Guardian’s honor. I can’t afford for every Guardian to slip into madness or worse. If you refuse to give me your dragon, perhaps you’ll give up your mate once again. She has the Queen of the Flame, and the flame will keep us from sinking further down into complete darkness. Your pick, druid: your dragon or your mate. Leaving either one can be the justification for me to break the one forbidden rule and let the rest of you cross the forbidden land of the dead.”
Ash snarled in his wolf form, baring his fangs, ready to attack Merlin if he gave me up, or Morgan, or both.
“My mate will go home, period,” Max said coldly.
So, my two mates had made the choice.
Merlin looked so grief-stricken that my heart broke for him, and I wanted to spare him the choice.
“If it’s just me or the dragon, I’ll stay behind,” I said. “But I have an entire people relying on me and two of my mates who need me.” Merlin snapped his eyes to me, a deep hurt fleeting by them since I excluded him as my mate. We all knew that the King of Hell wouldn’t let go of this opportunity of a lifetime to have the dragon or me.
“Selling my mate into slavery broke me more than you can imagine, Morgan,” Merlin drawled. “And abandoning my dragon will—” He paused, his throat moving, then he swept his sorrowful gaze to his dragoness. “I’m sorry, Skye, but I promise I’ll come back for you.”
The message was clear. Once Merlin got us out of the Underworld, he’d return to battle the Guardians and bring his dragoness home.
I fixed my gaze on Morgan. “You need to make a compromise. The dragon has been Merlin’s companion for eons. It’s beyond cruel to take his most precious thing from him.” I paused. Appealing to the conscience or compassion of the King of Hell was pointless and perhaps even dumb. “He won’t forget this. He won’t forgive this, and you know Merlin is the most powerful demigod druid on Earth. When he comes for you and his dragon again, you won’t like it. After all, you still owe him a life debt. Is this how you repay him?”
Morgan let out a long sigh. “Let me have the dragon for a thousand years, Merlin, and then I’ll return her to you.”
“One year and no more,” Merlin grated.
“That’s ridiculous,” Morgan said. “At least let me have her for one hundred years. One hundred years for an immortal like you is nothing. That’s my final compromise.”
And we all knew the King of Hell wouldn’t budge.
Merlin still looked solemn.
“That might be the best deal we can get, Merlin,” Max whispered.
“Swear the fucking oath, Morgan,” Merlin said icily.
~
Our people poured into the Shades. The Alpha Pure team helped direct the flow of the clans through the entrance, then the formidable gate.
Somehow, word had spread, and the slaves and rebels from all seven sections above ground had also arrived and joined us. Brooklyn and Diego, who were my brother’s friends in their mining days, had found Sebastian and were overjoyed at their reunion.
Merlin hadn’t said anything after Morgan swore the oath and granted us passage. He waited for the masses to pass, as he would go last and guard the rear with the Omega Power team.
Raven, Willow, Octavia, and Sebastian met us first. After one glance at the formidable form of the true King of Hell and my mates’ and my solemn faces, no one dared ask a question, not even Bas.
Alessandro had vanished from sight after he finally broke through my binding.
The women from the Desert Belle followed us in two organized lines, not chatting among themselves either.
We as one people moved quietly.
As soon as we crossed the courtyard, a staircase appeared, leading down to a vast, deep cave. At the bottom of the stone stairs waited seven large boats that the King of Hell called cruisers. On the deck of each boat stood a Guardian. I spotted Alessandro on the last boat and let out a breath of relief. Merlin would handle that Guardian if he pulled another stunt out of his ass.
“When you reach the end of this journey, you’ll see the leyline I promised,” Morgan said. “Each Guardian will man the cruiser for you. Tell your people to cover their eyes with a blindfold. Under no circumstances will they remove the blindfold or utter a sound, or they will risk the consequences.”
Max passed the warning onto Guy, and Guy and his men spread the order.
It took a while for everyone to settle down in one of the seven cruisers, but we finally got them all situated.
“My mate and my brothers don’t need to cover our eyes,” Max said.
Ash, the gray wolf, growled his agreement. He’d have to stay in his wolf form during the entire journey. My tiger had to give his spot by my side to the wolf as the wolf and Max flanked me in a protective formation.
“Of course. I expect no less,” said the King of Hell. “I’ll make this journey as comfortable as possible for you, Queen of the Flame.”
He was now playing the good guy. He got Merlin’s dragon, after all. I couldn’t even ask Merlin how he was holding up. He was keeping his distance now, especially from Morgan.
Raven, Willow, my brother, my women, my mates, my tiger, and I settled in the first cruiser, with the King of Hell as our guide. Just as the ship moved forward, the black owl that I hadn’t seen for a while shot toward us and landed on the rear rail of the boat.
My tiger snarled.
Sit, Killian, and be quiet, I ordered sternly. I’ll take you to hunt in the forests full of game when we reach the Upper Realm.
I flashed him the memories of the wolves and woods that belonged to the wolf girl, my mother.
His tongue lolled out in a grin, his attention moving away from the owl.
Will you let me eat the wolves, Calamity? They’re smaller than Ash.
I smiled down at him. Anything but the wolves, tiger. They’re my mom’s.
I love you. He showed me a picture of sharing his game’s heart with me.
Ew. No, thanks, I said.
Morgan stared at the black owl for a long moment before he turned away and manned the cruiser. The black owl didn’t cry out for once, as if he was also afraid of stirring the dead.
The boat sailed forward without wind, as Morgan maneuvered it merely with his thoughts. The cave was vaster than anything I’d ever seen. Gems and diamonds sparkled like stars on the high ceilings, casting bluish light and illuminating the path of the underground river.
For a moment, I was spellbound by the setting. It almost felt as if we were sailing through a darkly beautiful dream, if we could forget where we were.
And who would have thought so many riches were gathered in the Shades in the Underworld? Then again, who would dare to rob the Guardians of the dead?
The massive gray wolf stayed on guard, darting his eyes around, pricking his ears back to discern every suspicious sound and sniffing at potential danger.
I dug my fingers into his silky fur, and Ash turned to lick my jaw. Killian wiggled his tail
, wanting me to scratch him. Whenever Ash turned into a wolf, my tiger always competed with him for my attention and affection.
Max shook his head at the two beasts before he leaned in and kissed the crown of my head.
“We’re going home, doll,” he said.
Morgan watched our interaction with regret and interest.
I shoved down a sudden foreboding feeling that the end of the trip wouldn’t be as smooth as this sail.
I looked back to check on my people. All seven cruisers sailed as one. All the clans from Nightingale and the slaves from the seven sections were on board.
We sailed quietly for a while until I broke the silence. The puzzles had been floating in my head, and I wanted answers before I left here forever.
“You and your Guardians are the most formidable force in the Underworld, King Morgan,” I said. “Why did you allow the Sváva demons to dominate this realm and Cain to claim to be the Emperor of the Underworld?”
Morgan shrugged.
“The usurper isn’t a threat to me. He amused me,” he said. “Besides, the demons and the living never came to the Shades, for they know once they’re in the land of the dead, they become one of the dead. So I allowed the living to cower at the edge of the Underworld. I liked to watch the show. I was getting tired of them lately. I waited for centuries for them to evolve, but they remain barbarians.”
“You watched how the Sváva oppressed the rest of the races and you never lifted a finger to help the helpless and those who can’t defend themselves?” I asked, anger searing me.
“Only the living judge,” he said, staring at me sharply, flames burning in his eyes. “I do not get into their affairs. Who do you think I am, girl? I do not see the world the way you see it, and I don’t care about the opinions of the living. I’m doing this today because I no longer want them in my realm. They’re noisy.”
My heart skipped a beat. What was he going to do with the rest of the living who hadn’t made it into the boats here?
A black, chilly wind rose from the depths of the cave, and our boats started rocking violently. Black waves sloshed onto the boats. Some water got into our boat.
“What the fuck is that, Morgan?” Max barked, drawing his angelblade, one of his wings coming around to shield me. “Are you going to go back on your word and harm us?”
Killian and Ash growled threateningly, moving closer to me in a protective pose.
“Against my best intentions, you’ve awoken the dead,” Morgan said. “There are too many of them, and the dead sensed the vibrant energy of the living. They want to feed on it. And do you know what the dead want the most?”
“What’s that?” Max asked roughly.
“To live again, to participate in the activities under the sun at all costs,” said the King of Hell.
“Where exactly do they dwell?” I asked, dread spiking in me. “Are they near us?”
“They dwell everywhere in the Shades—under the water beneath us, on the other side of the walls around us. This cave is warded, but the dead have grown to countless numbers. There are more dead than the sand on the desert and the stars in the sky.”
Fuck!
“This is bad!” I said, darting my wild eyes around.
“Why did you choose this path?” Max demanded.
The gray wolf snarled his displeasure, baring his fangs at Morgan.
The black waves hit us harder this time, nearly slamming all the boats into the far wall of the cave. The dark, rocky walls on either side vibrated, shadows moving across the surfaces. Dark, skeletal hands formed shapes, stretching to reach for us.
The dead made hissing, guttural sounds, creepier than anything I’d ever heard. Then they shrieked and wailed.
Icy coldness crawled over my skin, and my heart jumped into my throat in terror.
Killian bounced around and roared in fear and agitation, trying to keep the dead at bay.
Cries rose from the other boats. People feared the dead more than the living.
“Be still!” Max shouted at the people, his flaming sword aloft, ready to cut down any dead coming toward us. But how could the living defeat the dead, since they couldn’t be killed again? “Make no sound. Do not remove your blindfolds under any circumstances. Cover your eyes and huddle together. Be courageous. We’ll get past the land of the dead in no time!”
The panicked cries died out.
Our boat was tossed by the waves and black wind again, colliding with the wall.
My flame—Queen of the Flame—struck out, piercing the darkness and pushing back the dead.
At the same time, Merlin’s white light blasted out, forming a shield around all seven cruisers, and my blue flame merged with his light to enhance his shield. Yet I had a horrible feeling that our combined forces wouldn’t keep the desperate souls out for long. The pressure from the power of the dead bore down on me like a mountain.
Cold sweat broke out on my skin, and my knees buckled at the weight.
Max was right there to pick me up, and then he placed me on the back of the wolf. The gray wolf remained still to make me comfortable.
“Morgan, say the fucking spell,” Merlin called from the last boat. “Guarantee us a safe path through the Shades as you promised.”
The demigod hadn’t been his usual calm self since he agreed to give up his dragoness. And none of us had talked to him since, as his body language and behavior showed clearly that he’d prefer to be left alone, so we gave him his space.
I yearned to comfort him, but I didn’t exactly know how, and there was no time for that while we were constantly on the move, facing one crisis after another. So I let him nurse his wound alone, feeling helpless myself.
“Keep your flame up and never let it drop, Princess,” Morgan called. “The dead are too many and too hungry. This will require all of our efforts to keep them at bay. If they break the seal and the ward, we’re all done for. Now you know what I’ve risked for you.”
“Shut up and say your spells,” Merlin screamed.
He must have felt the unbearable pressure from the dead, too, even though he was incredibly powerful.
“You’re being rude, druid,” Morgan murmured, but he threw up his hands and started chanting.
The other Guardians joined him, strange, guttural, and esoteric words flowing out of their mouths in unison. The chanting grew louder until the black waves beneath calmed, and the walls around us morphed back to normal. No more skeleton hands stuck out.
Our boats shot ahead as the Guardians conjured up a brisk wind to speed the sailing. Merlin and I didn’t dare drop the shield over our people, despite the strain we felt.
The wailing and laments of the dead never ceased. The unbearable despair in the air would drive any weak-minded people to the brink of suicide. But as one people, we leaned on each other for strength and endured it.
At last, we spotted faint light from the end of the deep cave.
The haunting voices of the dead finally faded into the background, but I knew they’d haunt our nightmares for a long while.
The Guardians stopped chanting. Their voices had turned hoarse. Merlin and I withdrew our combined magical shield, and exhaustion seeped into my every cell, but a wave of relief also comforted me.
We’d made it. We were leaving this dark realm that was never meant for the living. We were going to the Upper Realm, to my kingdom, to start a new life.
They say hope is a dangerous thing.
I say it’s the brightest light in our souls.
Our boat exited the cave first, and I saw the gray light from the sky again. We reached the shore that the King of Hell had promised.
Hope swelled in my chest, and I saw the same hope and joy in my companions’ tired eyes.
Just as Max was ready to be the first to step off the boat, Morgan waved a hand.
“There’s no need,” the King of Hell said. “It’ll take forever for everyone to get off these cruisers. I don’t have a whole day to babysit them. I’ll teleport all of yo
u to your destination at once.”
A black wind came out of nowhere, swirling around us with purple light inside. Before it could sweep me off, I stretched my hand toward Max just as he grabbed mine, so we wouldn’t be separated, no matter what happened. My other hand grabbed Ash’s fur, and Max seized my tiger.
When the spinning darkness withdrew from us and the vertigo vanished, I found that Ash, Max, and Killian were still with me, dark red sand beneath our feet and a broad expanse of dark water ahead of us. There was no end to the other side of the sea, and the black waves lapped at the shore.
It seemed we’d been transported into another nightmarish scene.
“The sea of Styx,” Morgan announced, gesturing at the ocean as if he were on a stage. “You’ve reached your destination.”
“Didn’t expect Hell to have a beach, too,” Max murmured.
“Is it the leyline?” Sebastian asked behind me, craning his neck.
The Guardian had indeed teleported everyone here from the ships all at once.
A cleft of light and fire floated above the middle of the black sea, nearly touching the waves.
“And that’s the leyline,” Max confirmed.
Morgan nodded. “The veil between the upper and lower worlds, guarded by the spell of flame. It’s open now.”
“Could you kindly lend us your cruisers to get to the leyline, King Morgan?” I asked nicely.
“No boats can cross the sea of Styx,” Morgan said.
I didn’t know if that was true or if he was being an ass again. I shouldn’t expect the King of Hell to be nice.
“We’ll cross the ocean by ourselves,” Max said. “I’ll fly us into the leyline. It’s going to take a while, though.” He gave Ash a hard look, since the Winter Prince had to stay in his wolf form in the Underworld, so he couldn’t use his wind to transport our people to the leyline.
As for Merlin and me, we’d nearly exhausted our magic reservoir by shielding our people from the attack of the dead in the boats, so we wouldn’t be of much help in transporting our people either.
No matter; we were here.
