As I walk through the garden doors, I hold back a disgusted look, feeling the filthy warmth of the enchanted Gardens that do nothing but shame the mighty castle of Death. Across the small space, Briar stands nervously, her hands clutching tightly in front of her. I don't want her to know that I felt her connection to Lux, as I don't even know if she fully understands it yet. I need her to trust me. The problem is, I'm not sure I can trust her. I see the way she looks at her beloved’s face, unsure of what soul lurks behind.
I put up my hands. "No need to stand up. I could sense that you were awake and I thought I might come and check on you considering it's an odd hour for a mortal of your stature to be walking the castle. Please, have a seat."
I stand and wait for her to sit down before pulling my long robes from behind me and taking a seat beside her. I watch her, her tongue wetting her lips nervously, her throat constricting as she swallows the fear that I know she feels sitting next to me. I can see how Kane may be smitten by her. She is beautiful, and I can sense Lux's powers swirling around within her. Reaching down, I gently pull her hand from her lap. I can see the shift in her breathing, the shallow gasps that she hides, showing just how much Kane's touch affects her. There is a heat between them, and I realize Kane has never taken her. What a silly fool. Leaving this beautiful mortal to ravish on her wedding night, giving her no time to gain experience in pleasure.
No matter, perhaps I will give her pointers before it is all over with.
I look down at her hand as I turn it over in mine. She lets her fingers unravel and within her palm her veins begin to glow as if her body were lit from the inside. Her eyes widen, obviously surprised as she hasn't been using powers since she has returned from freeing me. I feel her begin to pull away, and my grip tightens. Her eyes immediately dart to mine, a shimmer of fear vibrating in her irises.
I clear my throat, remembering that she is expecting Kane not Drogaem. While I don't know Kane very well, I can tell that she is fancied by simple gestures and small flights of kindness. I lower my voice and talk in a soothing tone. "Have you made any progress in unlocking your powers? Or maybe learning to harness them?"
Her eyes shift down as if she is ashamed. "No, not yet. I planned on getting some sleep so that I can be strong and fully rested tomorrow, but my dreams…"
She stops herself and I can tell she is careful with her words. She is unsure of me, as she should be. If she thinks that Kane is dangerous, she has no idea what I'm capable of. "Briar, I want you to start focusing on this. It's within you, we've seen it. You are going to be invaluable… to me… in the days to come."
Her cheeks grow pink and I loosen my grip, but she doesn't pull away. Her hand lays gently in mine and I can tell that she is searching for any kind word that Kane may have spoken to her in the past. After a moment, she pulls her hand back into her lap, staring down at her fingers. The light has receded but I can see her mind is elsewhere. She clears her throat and looks up at me. "What do you have planned?"
Her questions irritate me but I force a small smile with my quivering lips. Reaching up, I pat her on the shoulder. "Don't you worry about that. You have far too many things to think about. Now, the future Queen of the Underworld should not be restlessly meandering about the castle. Let me take some of your worries."
She shifts away but my hands are on her before she can move. I send a soothing stream of energy through her and I can see her muscles untense and her shoulders relax. I look over my shoulder at the servant standing on the other side of the garden doors. He notices my glare and swiftly comes in, jogging over toward us. Briar yawns, stumbling slightly as she stands. The servant reaches for her, catching her by the elbow and helping to hold her up.
"Take her back to her chambers," I tell him, a stern command in my tone. "Put her to bed and make sure she doesn't leave again until morning. Her dreams should subside for now."
The servant nods and ushers her carefully out of the gardens. My eyes roll over the glassy surface of the pool, narrowing as I stare at my reflection. I don't recognize myself. It's all a means to an end though. I can tell, without a doubt, that Lux lives on within Briar. I don't know how strong she is or what she can see through the mortal, but it's important that I not let her in on my plans until I know I have her completely within my clutches.
The mortal means nothing to me, just a capsule holding the woman who was the death of me. A deep rolling chuckle echoes from my chest. I cannot wait to see the look on her face when I'm returned to my body and stand to rule the Underworld for an eternity.
Chapter 4
Briar
Even though the Underworld does not have a sun to rise and fall as the mortal plane does, the lightening purple skies brighten my darkening
