I lick my dry lips, feeling the burn with drought as I take a step forward into the mausoleum. Before I can move completely through, Kane my shoulder and pulls me back out. I spin on my heels putting my hands up, the light immediately emanating from my palms. I breathe heavily, as the face in front of me becomes clear. "Riordan. What are you doing here?"
"I should probably ask you that but I'm pretty sure I know." He looks behind him and takes my arm, pulling me to the side behind one of the large statues. "You shouldn't be here."
I narrow my eyes wanting to make sure that he's on the right side. He senses my apprehension. "I came to clear up the mess so the Kane wouldn't recognize that Willem is gone."
My face eases, and I extinguish the light from my palms, closing them tightly. "Willem is gone? On his own accord?"
Riordan nods. "He was not killed. There are enough allies to Kane and to the throne within the castle walls that we were able to get him out safely. He took the Nephilim with him, I thank you for what he attempted to do."
I let out a deep breath of relief, and lean back slightly on the statue. "I need to speak with him. This is far worse than I thought it was."
Riordan's eyes drift around the tombs. "I know. Willem figured it out and let me know before he left. It's Drogaem within Kane's body."
I nod, a feeling of sadness blistering in the pit of my stomach. "I should have waited, I shouldn't have blamed Willem for those things. If he were here…"
Riordan's eyes drift back to mine and he shakes his head. "No. You did the right thing. We're all proud of that move. We’re also all a bit shocked at it. It was bold and cruel, fitting of the Queen of the Underworld."
I shake my head and look away. "But it's not me. And now Willem isn't here."
Riordan steps forward and reaches up, tilting my chin toward him, giving me a brotherly look of comfort. "Willem does not blame you for what you did. If anything, it was easier for him to leave, to escape knowing that you're willing to make sacrifices and do the hard thing."
He releases my chin and I give him a stout nod, feeling my bravery slowly returning. "What do we do from here?"
Within the shimmering lights of the fire flickering on the wall, Riordan looks larger, taller, and nobler. His black wings relax, shimmering specks of silver glistening in the fire light. He looks like Willem does, a proud Reaper, and someone willing to fight. It eases my mind just a bit, knowing I'm not fully alone. He leans in close. "The days of safety have passed. We have reached the final stretch. What happens within these next hours will determine the fate of, not only the Underworld but all the other realms that exist as well. Keep something sharp with you little princess, for the comfort of this castle is gone and within the shadows lurks Drogaem."
Chapter 22
Briar
Sitting on my bed, I feel like a stranger in the place that had become my home. The silence is now eerie. The dancing shadows from the flames of the candles send shivers up my spine. I can remember in the Mortal Realm listening to stories meant to scare children, stories that we all knew were made up, but still haunted us when we lay snug in our tiny beds, too fearful to go to sleep. But now, I live in those scary stories. Every step and every breath I take can possibly be my last.
Riordan is right, I'm no longer safe at all, not even an illusion of safety remains. Drogaem has taken over my beloved, and I must protect myself. I don't want to kill Kane's body, but if it comes to the end, where I have to choose between him and the rest of the world and the Underworld, I will have no choice. What is a princess but a queen in training? The Queen protects the realm, and though I'm not Queen of the Mortal Realm, I am a mortal Princess. My duty lies with everyone, especially with Kane gone and no one stepping forward.
I need to get to my dagger, as it's the only way for me to kill Drogaem if it comes to that. The purple haze of the Underworld is lightening out my window and large gray clouds, streaming wisps of rolling mist dark in color like the thunderstorms that used to roll into the countryside at my father's castle. There are no thunderstorms in the Underworld, but I feel as if the tone outside mimics my own.
It's a long way to the gardens, twisting and turning through the castle, hurrying past Drogaem's room. I'm specifically referring to him as Drogaem, until his soul no longer inhabits Kane's body. I understand now, that despite my heated and sultry attachment to Kane's physical body, my heart truly lies with his soul. I never thought that I would say that about Death, the man who took me from my home and destined me for a life of darkness and cold. But come to find out, it suits me pretty well.
I put on a normal dress, a black and red clingy material that smooths over every one of my curves and leaves little for the imagination. The collar is a bright blood red, and laces cross over my breasts. This time I do
