by Bailey Dark
Sadal shrugs, unbothered as ever, and rises. “Enjoy your stay, darling.”
“What?” I stare as he approaches the shadows.
“Oh, I can’t stay,” he says, inspecting his nails. “I have a war to win, love. And you have a lesson to learn.”
“What lesson?” I glower at him. “That attempted murder is wrong?”
“That you’re mine,” he hisses. “I won’t tolerate betrayal, especially not from you. I’ve waited a long time for you, Verity.”
“When will you be back?” I can’t hide the tremor of fear in my voice.
He grins, eyes inky black. “A hundred years maybe? Just long enough for you to go mad.”
“I’ll be dead by then,” I say, clenching my hands into fists.
“You won’t age here, Verity. It’s my gift to you,” Sadal says, bowing shallowly. “Enjoy it, love.”
He’s gone in an instant, leaving me alone in the strange circle of light. I take a strangled breath, trying to calm myself. It’s Sadal – he’s merely toying with me. Punishing me for betraying him. Or he could be serious; he could enjoy watching me go mad. I know he will be watching. He’ll visit me now again, or watch from afar, but he won’t let his little game play out without spectating.
The silence is overwhelming now, so heavy and tangible it feels as if I’m suffocating. I claw at my ears, as if to clear them enough to relieve the growing pressure. Breathing shallowly, I crawl to my feet and stare into the inky shadows. I reach for them, feeling that otherworldly chill on my fingertips. The darkness caresses my skin; cold kisses.
I sigh heavily, loud enough to break the silence and it’s as if I can breathe again. I make another sound, scuffing my shoe. It’s enough. I look around the circle of light and see a lantern in the center, a small flame flickering inside. I pick it up and thrust it into the darkness. The shadows flee from the light and I take a hesitant step into it.
“You can do this,” I murmur to myself. “You can do this.”
The circle of light disappears behind a curtain of darkness and I gasp sharply, fear coiling in my gut. I have my lantern to keep the darkness at bay, but the light is faint and doesn’t pierce far enough. I listen intently for any sounds of approaching creatures; footsteps, growls, breathing. But there’s only silence. Feeling more confident, I creep forwards.
The ether is the realm that Sadal dwells in, as well as any creatures of darkness – gods or otherwise. I read that those who weren’t born in the ether can go mad here; that time is like a cage rather than a construct. Everything can happen at once, and nothing at all. I wonder what I’ll find here. Monsters prowling in the dark, a god even older than Sadal waiting to play tricks, or something else entirely.
I swallow thickly, trying to quiet the fear building in my chest. My blood is cold, heart racing as my eyes follow every shadow of movement. I feel like a deer being stalked by a thousand mountain lions. Danger is lurking everywhere. But I can’t sit still and hope for Sadal to return and let me leave this place. No. I’ll have to find a way out on my own.
Suddenly, I see a glow in the distance, warm and welcoming. I hurry towards it, the tapping of my feet the only sound in the darkness. The shadows grow sparse, beat back by the inviting light. I burst into it, relief swelling in my heart.
I’ve wandered into a room, brightly lit and smelling of saltwater and jasmine. I breathe in the familiar scent and it’s as if all my muscles relax. I know this room. I know the soft, velvet curtains hanging over the windows and door leading to the balcony. I know the fireplace, already burning merrily despite the summer heat. It’s my room, in Altair’s castle.
I swallow the relieved sobs that wrack my shoulders and take a steadying breathe. I know this isn’t real. It’s not real because Sadal conquered this place; it belongs to him and his demons now. It’s not real because I can see myself curled on the floor, just barely gaining consciousness. On the balcony, I see Acubens – Altair – watching the other me carefully. His hazel eyes are intense and his tail twitches anxiously.
The other me lifts herself to her elbows and looks sleepily around the room. When she sees Acubens, she screams shrilly. I choke back a laugh as I watch the memory play out. Books fly and Altair’s feathers ruffle with rage. I can hardly believe this was only a few short months ago. Things have changed.
I close my eyes and will a new memory; Altair’s memory. I ask the ether to show me Altair, something happy and pleasant and maybe a little wicked. When I open my eyes again, the scene has changed.
Altair, in his Fae form, sits pensively on the edge of his bed. His hair is perfectly combed, his clothes immaculate. I almost sigh when I see him looking as he did before the threat of conquest. His elbows rest on his knees, his hands covering his lips. I cock my head, wondering why he stares so intensely at the door – as if he’s waiting for someone.
Suddenly, he looses a long breath and drags a hand through his hair, mussing it. He can’t suppress a grin, and he shakes his head. “Wicked minx,” he murmurs.
I smile, warmth blossoming in my chest at his words. He rolls out his shoulders and rakes his teeth over his bottom lip. I watch, cheeks heating, as he slips a hand into his trousers. His shoulders tremble and his breathe catches in his throat. One hand clings to the bannister of his bed as he works himself.
Heat blossoms in my core and my body aches for him. My eyes are wide, locked on his face as his brows furrow with pleasure. “Verity,” he murmurs under his breath. “I can see you there.”
Suddenly, his head snaps towards me and his eyes lock onto mine. I flinch, cold fear washing through me. My eyes scan the room, looking for any signs of the other me, but the room is empty.
He sees me.
“Come join me, Verity, darling.” Altair spreads his legs, showing me his desire.
“How?” I stammer, locked in place.
“Come now, you know the mechanics, Verity,” Altair says playfully. “The only question is where should we start?”
I swallow thickly and my body pulses with desire. “Is this real?” I ask softly.
Altair closes his eyes again, leaning his head back and taking a shallow breath. I stare at his cock and bite my lip – hard. I take a hesitant step towards him, imagining the passion we could share.
“I was hoping you would come,” he purrs. I feel my core throb at his words, and I shudder.
“Whose memory is this?” I ask as my nipples stiffen with desire.
He runs his long fingers down my thigh and it feels like lava. “Yours now,” he says. “Anything you want, I’ll make it memorable for you.”
I gasp as his hands grip my ass, tugging me towards him. “Mine?” I say breathlessly, fighting my overwhelming desire to mount him. “I don’t remember this.”
“It’s a new one,” he murmurs sensually, hazel eyes roving over my body. “Whatever you want, I’ll make it so, little Bloodbane.”
I freeze, fingers centimeters from tangling in his hair. I stare down at him, his words ringing in my ears. Altair cocks his head, watching me curiously. But his eyes are wrong. Too bright, too focused, too perfect.
I wrench away from him, fear washing over me like a tidal wave. “Who are you?” I breathe.
“Whatever you want,” it says, tilting its head to the side. “You ask and I will give.”
“No.” I shake my head, nausea welling in me. “Who the hell are you?”
The being that wears Altair’s body rises. It laces its pants easily and heaves a sigh. “Little Bloodbane, I was only giving you what you wished.”
“I asked for a memory, Altair’s memory. Not,” I stammer, “Not this.”
It raises a brow. “I cannot give you a memory that is not yours. I can only make them for you.”
“Why? Who are you?” I reach instinctively for my lantern in case I need to escape into the darkness.
“All of this.” It waves a lazy hand.
I squint disbelievingly. “The ether?”
“Of a sort,” it says smoothly. “Don’t worry
, little Bloodbane, no harm will come to you by my hand.”
I feel sick, watching this not-Altair peer at me with almost perfect replicas of his eyes. This Altair is strong, healthy, and not burdened by the future. It’s not fair. And it’s not him. It feels wrong, and there’s a pain in my chest I don’t understand. I take a shaky breath, hands trembling.
“Stop,” I choke out, tears threatening to spill from my tired eyes. “Stop wearing him.”
The creature looks at me curiously before shifting into a lithe black cat. It purrs, twitching its tail back and forth. “This pleases you?”
I take a shuddering breath. “It’s fine.”
“You’re distressed,” it says matter-of-factly.
“I don’t know what the hell is going on here,” I snap, breathing shallowly.
“The ether does not take so kindly to all who grace the shadows,” the creature says. “But I like you, little Bloodbane. I welcome you back.”
I shake my head, turning my eyes to the lush carpet under my feet. “There won’t be a next time if I never get out of here.”
The ether cocks its head at me, eyes gleaming in the firelight. “I sense you require solitude. I will leave you to your memories.” It peers at me from the encroaching shadows. “Don’t stay too long, little Bloodbane, or you may not be able to get out.”
Chapter 14
Altair
I sit stiffly in the gilded chair. A hot breeze wafts through the open balcony doors into the small breakfast room. When I first stepped into the room, I thought that perhaps Erzur has learned some humility through the long years, but it took only seconds to recognize the wealth inside this room. Exquisite paintings grace the walls, an ornate, plush rug covering the hardwood floors. The table itself is brushed with gold leaf to match the trim on the walls.
I tap my fingers impatiently on the table. My stomach rumbles loudly and I grimace. Breakfast will only be served when Erzur arrives, and quite expectedly, she is late. I leap to my feet, anxiety and hunger gnawing at my stomach. I don’t have time for this nonsense. The light, gauzy curtains at the balcony arches flutter lazily in the breeze. I push past them and stare out over the valley. The gray stones of the cliff faces shimmer in the hot morning sun.
“Gold,” Erzur says demurely. I turn as she joins me on the balcony. “There are thousands of veins of gold, that’s why the cliffs sparkle so.”
I eye her, dipping my head in a shallow show of respect. Her brown eyes flit over me and she smiles broadly. I ignore the attractive splash of color on her full lips. “It’s a beautiful view,” I say. “Thank you for your hospitality.”
Erzur runs a hand over my shoulder, turning me back towards the table. “Come, I’m absolutely famished.”
I draw out her chair and catch a whiff of her subtle perfume as she sits. Servants bustle into the room with trays of steaming dishes and plates of fruit piled high. I keep a straight face as I’m served, but Erzur watches me as if she can sense my hunger. Her almond shaped eyes are sharp, like a cat’s.
“Your Grace,” I say, sipping fresh-squeezed juice. “Shall we discuss the matter of my visit?”
“Say what you will.” She turns to her food, but I know she’s listening intently.
“The fight against Sadal’s demon army and the Bloodbane witches is a difficult one,” I say, choosing my words carefully. “With King Moritz’s forces and Queen Haru’s navy, we’ve managed to evacuate most of my people. We’ve kept Sadal at bay and inside Alnembra’s borders.”
“And yet you haven’t been able to push him back,” she says lightly, popping a bite of food in her mouth.
I force back the spark of anger. Her spies would have been watching the war carefully, I’m not surprised she knows of my failures. “No,” I confirm. “We haven’t. But we know our forces are capable of defeating the demons and the Bloodbane. The only problem is Sadal.”
“And what would you expect my sun soldiers to do in the face of the dark god?” She asks.
“I’ll take care of Sadal, but our forces are depleted,” I say, trying to sound casual even though my heart is beating too quickly. We need her.
“Ah.” She grins knowingly. “So it is soldiers you’ve come for.”
“The sun soldiers are second to none,” I say.
She sips a glass of wine. “And yet you went to Moritz first.”
“Moritz and my father were close,” I say stiffly. I don’t want to draw her bickering with Moritz into the issue. The war is bigger than that.
“And you knew he would help without question,” she says.
“If Alnembra falls, Canes and Santaya will be next.” I lean forward, eyes flashing. “Last night you said you had little interest in my impending doom, but the doom is not only mine.”
Erzur picks at her nails before sliding her cold eyes towards me. “Why should the dark god bother with Santaya if I don’t pose a threat? Canes and Stellium will certainly face his wrath. You brought this upon yourself, Altair, when you resisted him and his Bloodbane.”
“Resisted?” I bark out a laugh and my cutlery clatters to the porcelain plates. “Would you have surrendered your throne and people to a people as vicious as the Bloodbane?”
She shrugs. “I wouldn’t have started a war with them. There are subtler ways of getting what you want.”
I lean forward, scowling. “Do you want me to beg?” I spit out.
A feral grin splits her lovely lips. “I prefer begging to be done in the bedroom.”
“Enough games, Erzur,” I snap. “This is a threat that faces all of the kingdoms, not only mine. Will you help?”
“What will you give me in return?” She asks coyly.
“What do you want?” I ask through gritted teeth.
She rises as a breeze snaps her silk gown back against her figure. My eyes dart over her lithe shape, lingering on her full breasts. Irritation ebbing in my chest, I drag my gaze back to her face. She smiles at me, like a spider with a fly in its web. Erzur slinks around the table and pauses inches from me. I stare up at her, brows knitted together. I know what she wants.
She traces her pointed fingertips over my jawline. “If I win this war for you,” she whispers. “I want an alliance with you. A promise.”
“I can’t,” I say. “If I do, the curse will never be fully broken.”
“It hasn’t returned yet, has it?” She cocks a brow. “Forget your Bloodbane. She’s lost to the dark god.”
I duck my head, dodging her hands. “It’s impossible,” I snap. “I love her.”
“Love?” She scoffs. “You would sacrifice your kingdom for her? Haven’t you learned your lesson?”
I rise, kicking my chair back. Despite Erzur’s height, I still tower over her. I narrow my eyes, fury and regret washing through me. She ignores the darkness in my eyes and strokes my jaw. I stiffen under her touch, breathing sharply through my nose. “Think on it,” she murmurs. “You said yourself you need my sun soldiers.”
I turn away before she can slip any closer to me. Chewing the inside of my cheek, I stalk from the small room back towards my chambers. With any other ruler, I wouldn’t have dared to walk away without showing any respect, but Erzur knows she’s played me right into the palm of her hands.
The halls blur past, tunnel vision only showing me my door at the end of the hall. I slam it behind him, fists clenched. “Fuck,” I hiss.
I drag my hand over my jaw line, wiping away the touch of her sultry fingers on my skin. Moritz and I have less than half the men we would need to push back the seemingly endless armies of demons and Bloodbane. Sadal is one I’ll take care of personally, with the help of the first Bloodbane. But the armies themselves are another matter. I grit my teeth, anger washing through me like waves of power.
I drop onto a chaise and rest my chin in my hands. I could always turn to another for soldiers. There are the kingdoms to the north that might lend their forces for something cheaper – like gold. But Alnembra has always been closer to the southern lands and
the ocean isles. I sigh through gritted teeth, desperation eating at my conscience.
I picture Verity, dressed in those oversized trousers and tunic she would wear around the castle. I snort and I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face. She had no need for elegant gowns or elaborate make up. She was comfortable in those clothes, beautiful even. I wonder if Erzur reads as hungrily as Verity did.
Suddenly, I feel a flash of heat on my back and a rush of wind. I open my eyes and whirl around towards the balcony. My hand drifts instinctively to a dagger at my waist as I search for the source of the strange sensation. But all I see is Verity, dressed in a simple wool shift and wearing the Bloodbane cloak. Her hair is tangled swept hastily away from her face.
“Altair?” She asks weakly.
I burst off the chaise, flying towards her. She crumples into my chest as I bundle her in my arms. “Verity,” I breathe, my heart racing. “How did you get here?”
“Are you the real Altair?” She asks, her eyes peering up at me.
“I’m real,” I say fiercely. “This is real.”
Her shoulder tremble and she nods. “You are. What is this place?”
I pull away, biting my bottom lip as I hold back a smile. My Verity. This time, I’ll never let her go. “A country called Santaya,” I explain. “In the queen’s palace.”
“What are you doing here?” She looks around curiously and I release her so she can poke through the room. When she slips out of my arms, I miss her instantly.
“Recruiting more soldiers,” I say, trailing her. I don’t want her out of my sight.
Verity glances over her shoulder, lingering in the door to the bedroom. “Sadal told me that if we kill him, no one can control the demons.”
I sigh, having suspected as much. “Good to know. Did he tell you anything else?”
She clamps her lips shut. “I can’t,” she stammers, “I can’t say anything more.”
“Verity,” I murmur, brushing a stray hair from her porcelain skin. “You’re safe here. I’ll keep you safe with me, always.”
Verity bites her lip and leans into my chest. “I don’t know how to fix this,” she mumbles against my shirt.
