I wink at him with a grin and turn, walking back toward the hallways that lead to my chambers. As soon as my face is away from his, I drop my smile, and my teeth immediately clamp together. I feel as if I need a shower, a bath that will wash away the screams that still echo in my head from the mortals trapped below. I need answers, and my dreams are just sections and fragments of the past. I can't figure them out. It's like a puzzle missing pieces. No matter how hard I try, I can't control this magic, but I know that in order to be the Queen that I need to be to Kane, and not the asshole Kane, but the flicker of hope and warmth beneath him, I need to start working on it, and I need to do it fast. If I'm as strong as I think I am, that will only fuel my fire. That strength will only take away some of the fear that I have of this man that I don't recognize anymore.
I had no choice in who I marry, and no choice in the rest of my life, but I will make a choice with how I lead and walk through it. I will fan the flame that is buried deep within my groom, and by the time I'm done, I know I'll have my answers.
Chapter 14
Drogaem
Standing in my office, I ball my fists and lean forward, resting on the desk. My body is tense and I can feel it getting tired. I don't care how hard I push Kane's body, it will mean nothing to me in the end. I will have my body back and it will be better than ever. The problem is, no matter how seductive she tries to be, or how keen she is to the details, I fear that Briar is working against me. I don't know how she's doing it, or if she even knows she is, but the thought of defeat lurks in my dreams and I shudder at the idea that a mere mortal could get in the way of my plans.
I have been pushing her to work on her magic, but one thing I cannot allow is for her to recover her memories, or the memories that belonged to Lux. They are the key, the answer to all the questions she has probably thought of. If she understands, she will be able to control everything. There is no way that I can let that happen. I need to have complete control over her, no matter what.
I walk around the desk and open the top drawer, pulling out a small vial of blue liquid. I hold it up in front of my face and smirk. I've been working on a serum that blocks Briars visions and even some of her powers. With the way that she's been acting, I thought perhaps it might be hard to even get it into her system, but I haven't had to resort to anything violent, unfortunately. The girl is still a mortal, and prone to distractions and fits of fancy. I see it in her every day. She is careless with the things that she does and her lies are easily seen through.
Nonetheless, the serum will help head these issues off before they begin. The bell tolls overhead in the castle, signaling dinner. I have requested a small party for dinner, just me, Willem, and Briar. Willem has been more useful than I thought he would be. He keeps to himself, doesn't give opinions, and just does what I ask. I feel as if I can trust him to a certain extent. But he is a Reaper, and he is Kane's best friend so I don't expect that loyalty to last once I retrieve my body and take over the Underworld. No matter though, he can perish with the rest of the souls that refuse to go along with what I want. I will not be trifled with, no matter who comes at me.
Leaving my office, the servants scatter and I lurch down the hall to the dining area. When I walk in, both Willem and Briar stand tall, nodding to me. I nod back at them and take a seat, not even looking up as they scoot their chairs in. This time I sit as close to Briar as I can without looking suspicious. The vial of serum rests in my palm and I glance around the room for something to point her attention to. Up above the doors there is a carving, something I bet no one in the current Castle staff knows anything about.
I point up at the etching. "Do you see that? That etching was placed there by Drogaem and his younger brother, when he was still alive. They were being mischievous."
As I expect, Briar turns and looks with a smile. As she does, I hover my hand over her glass and pour the serum into her wine. It's tasteless and odorless so she hasn't noticed up to this point that she's been drinking it. As I stick the vial back in my pocket before she turns to me, my eyes meet with Willem and I can tell that he sees what's happening. My face straightens and my eyes go dark, glaring over at him, silently challenging him. If he wants to protect the little mortal then he will have to do it at his own demise. No matter how much Kane's best friend wants to protect the girl, I can tell he is more of a self-preservation kind of Reaper.
It's best that he listens to what I say, as I will squash anyone who stands in my way. The following days and weeks are going to change the very essence
