We part ways only to prepare for our ride, the beginning of our journey through the underworld. I am not mentally prepared to leave so quickly, but Kane is right, there is no use in waiting any longer.. I slither into a pair of leather trousers, a muslin blouse, and a corset that accentuates my ample breasts and my feminine hips. Dark riding boots and a hooded cloak complete the ensemble. The servants wait by the door to take what little I have chosen to bring with me.
I sense eyes on me as I walk down the stairs, the heel of my boots clicking against the stone. My gaze lifts and I see Kane standing beside the door. His clothes aren’t much different than my own, but the way the shirt stretches across Kane’s chest causes my heartbeat to stutter. He shifts on his feet as if he wants to run toward me, but anger replaces the longing that had been in his eyes a moment ago. The guards open the door and Kane takes the lead, as always, while I trail behind him.
Willem quirks a brow as we walk into his line of sight. “I hope you’re finally ready. “Nearly expected you to wear a gown, Princess.” The reaper spits the word as if being a princess is something to be ashamed of. “This isn’t some coronation or Day of Collection. The dangers ahead are beyond anything you can imagine. So, I’ll ask you this only once. Are. You. Ready?” His intolerance of mortals is unfortunate, but it’s his willingness to betray Kane that sets my teeth on edge.
I reach behind me and flash my dagger with a flourish before returning it to its sheath. “I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”
There’s a look akin to approval on Kane’s face as he mounts his steed. A breath of relief escapes me as I realize that the horses are quite normal and not the feral, winged creatures that pull the carriage. I place my foot in the stirrup and push off the ground with the other as I lift myself into the saddle with practiced ease. Leaning forward, I press my cheek to the horse’s back as my hand runs down its side. I am introducing myself, giving thanks for its willingness to carry me across the treacherous lands.
“I didn’t know you could ride.” Kane’s words are laced with humor and Willem belts out a stream of laughter.
Whatever joke they share at my expense is lost on me, so I cluck my tongue and allow the horse to set the pace. Kane has a small smirk as he does the same riding close but leading us through the castle gates and away from the place that had become a home of sorts to me. Once we reach the city, I notice lanterns streaming between the lamp posts. The souls who dwell here dance about in vibrant colored clothes. Music filters through the streets and a rare smile curls on Kane’s lips. Willem scowls at those we pass, but he gives a few scantily clad fae women a look of interest.
My eyes are wide with wonder and curiosity. “What are they celebrating?”
People brazenly walk in front of the horses. Kane huffs in annoyance, slowing his horse to ride next to me. “A new phase in the lunar cycle. There are few things to celebrate here in the underworld, but we take pride in them.”
Kane’s voice begins to fade in the noise of the jovial atmosphere. A loud pop sends a burst of confetti into the air. Shards of colorful paper rain down upon us as a deafening noise catches my attention. The rustle of feathers and scuffling of robes against rotting wood consume my senses. Suddenly I’m back in the opera house, catapulted into the past. The Nephilim races towards me with hatred in his eyes.
White light engulfs the room. I watch the Nephilim explode. Chunks of flesh and bone rain down like confetti. The spray of blood never reaches me, but the sensation of a thousand ants crawls across my skin. Sights, smells, and sounds amplify tenfold. A scream bubbles up from my throat, but a cold touch against my cheek pulls me from the memory. Endless black pits stare back at me. I feel Kane’s shadows as if they were physical beings themselves.
“The Nephilim…” I see flashes of Kane’s bloody and battered face. Bile burns my throat.
“Look at me.” The sharp command causes my eyes to return to his riveting gaze. “He’s gone, Briar. He’s dead and there’s no way he can get you. You’re safe.”
“He could come back…”
“There are only two types of death,” he says. “You know this. The body and the soul. He’s gone.”
Kane steers his horse closer to mine. His thigh brushes against me as he reaches over to tuck a lock of hair behind my ear. “You might not trust me yet, but I won’t let anything happen to you. We have to leave, but we’ll talk about this soon.”
He spurs his horse on and leads us out of a gate I was unaware existed. It wasn’t the gate I had once used in my foiled plans to escape.
The jasmine scented wind is stronger beyond the walls of the city, and gives some comfort in the unsteadiness I feel leaving behind the cover of the castle.
Willem and Kane ride ahead, but stay within sight. I see their mouths move and swallow thickly. Kane’s profile is breathtaking. Though the bruises and cuts are gone, I can’t help but see them when my eyes close. There’s something about the
