Willem takes a seat across from me at the desk, his mood softening just a bit. “The outcome of our plan is just as important to me as it is to you. If that means protecting her then I will do it.” His eyes shift over me, and I can feel his mind probing me, wondering where I hurt and what can be done. “The Nephilim really did a number on you, didn’t it?”
“I can handle it.” I shrug, but the pain from before is still sharp despite the healing that commenced during the night.
“You’re handling it a lot better than the situation between you and Briar. I thought you would have fixed it by now,” Willem says accusingly. “Just tell her it was a misunderstanding and let her know that we need to be careful while traveling through the mountains. If she’s smart, then she’ll obey and not behave like a petulant child.”
His tone is back to defiant, and it is starting to scratch at my nerves. “We need to get Drogaem’s crown as quickly as possible, but not by sacrificing our only hope of opening Archech. No mountain path. Find another way.”
It’s obvious his concerning tone from before is nothing but a feeble attempt to calm my own irritation. Willem pounds his fist on the desk and his nostrils flare, eyes snapping with anger. “We’ve been arguing this for days. We’re closer than we’ve ever been to getting the crown, but have barely made any progress.” The reaper stands and begins to pace across the floor. His mouth is pinched into a frown. He stops and points toward the door. “Right now, she’s useless and weak. You’ll have to train her on the way there. No need to travel all that way just to watch her fail.”
Running my tongue over my fangs and folding my hands in front of me, I nod. “You’re right.”
“I know,” the reaper huffs, almost curious as to why I am agreeing with him. “The incompetence of your bride is astounding even to me.”
Something coils in my gut, a warning or perhaps just paranoia, but it’s unsettling, nonetheless. Willem never particularly enjoyed the presence of mortals but his dislike for Briar seems to go beyond his normal disdain. There isn’t a moment he isn’t looking for a reason to shine a negative light on her.
“I meant you’re right about training her,” I hiss. “When Briar first came here, you tried your hardest to intimidate her, but you were also protective out of loyalty to me. Now it’s like you don’t care whether she survives this journey or not.”
Willem sighs heavily. “Our lives have been dictated by the whims of mortals for too long. I’m tired. They beg for favors and use us, all while pretending to be obedient servants. They treat us like tools to use whenever they please. How long am I supposed to sit by and ignore these facts? After they have done everything to destroy the power behind what we are? I won’t wait for that. And I won’t feign concern for their kind just to look like an obedient servant. You know that’s not who I am.”
I hold my tongue fully aware that Willem’s words reflect my own thoughts at times. He is right when it comes to mortals acting ungrateful, and showing that they are generally distrustful creatures. Only Briar seems to be the exception to the rule.
My eyes shift down toward the desk and I purse my lips. “I haven’t told her why she’s coming along. She doesn’t know how important she really is.”
“Why?” His look is one of irritation and confusion.
“I don’t know how she’ll react,” I admit. “Briar is already angry with me. If she finds out the truth, she might think I’m only using her for her power.”
Willem lifts his brow nonchalantly. “Aren’t you?”
“I’m not sure anymore.” The honesty of my confession is startling.
I shake my head and pinch the bridge of my nose, trying to find some semblance of calm in the storm of Briar’s emotions. The soul bond grows stronger with each day and I fear it might be my undoing. If it comes down to choosing Briar’s life or the crown...
I shove those thoughts out of my mind and stand up to leave. Willem watches me closely. I can feel his eyes burning into me. The fate of my realm and every soul in it rests in the hands of my young bride.
Just the thought of it pulls me toward her. My feet move faster than my own thoughts. I make my way through the halls, following the beat of her heart and the smell of her oils. The door to my mother’s secluded garden opens as I approach. I’m struck by the image of wild, dark waves that draw my eye toward the expansion of pale flesh. The still waters of the pool reflects her dazed expression.
Sensing my presence and turning to greet me, Briar loses her footing. I sprint toward her, wrapping my arms around her waist, feeling the supple flesh of her thighs press against me. She gasps and instinctively leans into my touch.
Her eyes widen when the engorged flesh of my manhood brushes her leg through the fabric of my trousers. “I…I just wanted to see the sanctuary one last time before we leave.”
She speaks in a quiet whisper, not moving an inch. Just that teasing touch, so innocent in nature, sets my blood aflame. Briar’s fingers curl against my shoulders, rippling my shirt as the tiny prickles of her nails score my skin in the sweetest way. Her pink tongue darts out to wet her lips and I wish to taste her. Spit dampens her plush mouth, luring me closer like a siren’s call.
Her eyes are closed and her supple cheeks thinning as my name whispers across her lips. “Kane…”
I breath in her warm air and growl low in my chest. She
