I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to banish the images that run through my mind. I can see her on her knees in front of me as her blood sprays my face. “No!” But the shadows swallow my cries. They pull tighter, stealing every drop of strength from my body. I try to hold on, to fight for Briar. But I failed her. I did exactly what she said would happen.
A new evil walks the underworld now and he wears my face like a mask.
Briar’s image begins to fade as I drift in and out of consciousness. I wish to hold on. I can’t see her anymore, but I know she won’t give up on me. Her anger never lingers long. She cares too much. Briar will be able to tell that I am not the one in control of my body. She understands me in ways no one else ever has. At times, I feel as if we speak a language no one else is privy to. She is my light, the very air that I breathe, and I will not lose her to Drogaem’s darkness or the consequences of my stupidity.
If this be my punishment, then let the gods show mercy on my bride. The cloying feeling in my body intensifies. My vision blurs and I am no more. I feel him move ahead, shoving me back and taking my place. He...I...we are...We are more than ever before.
Drogaem
I have been trapped inside of this crown for thousands of years, sitting in the dead silence of the abyss with nothing to do but plot my revenge. There are those who betrayed me, those who chose to honor Lux rather than stand at my side as I conquered the realms. But here I am on this wretched island surrounded by the glorious stink of death. I look down at my body. Not the one in the sarcophagus, but the one that I wear now.
Not a terrible vessel, I must say, but a bit starved for my liking. I use my powers to sake the hunger that gnaws at my belly. Thick, corded muscles rest upon a lean figure and I nod my head in acceptance. I watch the young mortal’s eyes widen at the small show of power. The creature beside her seems neither protective nor tolerant of Briar, but observant. There’s a prickle of respect that I’m sure she’s unaware of.
I point to the dreadful Reaper. “Get the body. We’re taking it with us.”
He shrivels his nose. “Why?”
The question catches me off guard. None of my followers would dare to question my orders. Kane allows his subordinates to voice their opinions? To speak freely? How dreadful...
Briar and the Reaper glower at one another and I realize they are still waiting for an answer. “I wish to know more about his reign as Death. Bringing him back to the castle will allow me to study him without having to come back here. There are things his body can tell us.”
Briar shakes her head. “But why? What are you looking to find that isn’t already written?”
Again, with the questions? “The texts have been wrong thus far. We can update them and then give him a proper burial surrounded by his once loyal followers. He deserves a proper resting place. Don’t you think?”
Willem stares down at my old body. “Actually, I think bringing him to the castle will cause trouble.”
“Willem is right, Kane,” Briar agrees.
Just the mere sound of her voice sets my teeth on edge. This is the creature that is responsible for weakening my replacement? There is nothing special about her. Long, unruly hair and a face far more average than that of a future queen.
Their questions and protests are no longer acceptable. “You will obey. Get the body now!”
The Reaper flinches at the demand, but he straightens his spine. I wish to pick my teeth with his bones. I step toward him, silently daring Willem to say anything. Like a good pup, the Reaper does as he’s told and lifts my body onto his shoulder. Briar stares at the empty sarcophagus and shivers. She appears to be in pain.
I care not. “We’re leaving.”
It is an announcement not a negotiation. Kane will be smart to learn from my ways instead of behaving like a mortal. I lead them to the far wall of the cavern and force a hidden door open. A gust of magic shifts through the air, warning me that there are enchantments placed on my tomb. An irritable sound leaves me as I walk down the narrow corridor where my wives and concubines have been slaughtered.
I kick their corpses as I stroll along, not caring for the glares that I feel burning in my back from Briar. In truth, she wouldn’t have made the rank of top ten wives, let alone my main bride. Clearly Kane’s standards are far less shallow than my own.
We reach the outer walls of the tomb. “Your followers enchanted this place with magic that flows through the whole of the island. Break the enchantments.”
Briar toys with the end of her hair. “I don’t have followers, Kane. What are you talking about? I don’t know how to do that.”
I turn to her angrily, releasing my wrath just inches from her pale face. “Break the enchantments, now!”
Her face goes even whiter. “I c-can’t. I don’t know how!”
I rush Briar, forcing her against the wall. The fear inside of her causes her power to flow. Those familiar blue eyes stare up at me. Her hands begin to glow as her soul radiates from the inside out. The Reaper does nothing to help and this pleases me.
“Say exactly what I say,” I hiss into the sniveling creatures face. She
