I wrench away from him, breathing fast. “I hate you,” I spit out. “I wish I had never met you.”
“You didn’t hate me so when you thought I was a simple gardener,” Sadal says, his cold eyes gleaming with a light that sends a shiver down my spine.
My mind flashes to the stolen kisses and heated moments we shared. To the way my body ached for him. I still feel it sometimes, when I glance at him in passing or when his fingers play innocently against my skin. It makes me sick.
“Get away from me,” I say soberly, tucking my knees beneath me so I can launch into a sprint if I need to.
Sadal shrugs, unbothered as ever, and rises. “Enjoy your stay, darling.”
“What?” I stare as he approaches the shadows.
“Oh, I can’t stay,” he says, inspecting his nails. “I have a war to win, love. And you have a lesson to learn.”
“What lesson?” I glower at him. “That attempted murder is wrong?”
“That you’re mine,” he hisses. “I won’t tolerate betrayal, especially not from you. I’ve waited a long time for you, Verity.”
“When will you be back?” I can’t hide the tremor of fear in my voice.
He grins, eyes inky black. “A hundred years maybe? Just long enough for you to go mad.”
“I’ll be dead by then,” I say, clenching my hands into fists.
“You won’t age here, Verity. It’s my gift to you,” Sadal says, bowing shallowly. “Enjoy it, love.”
He’s gone in an instant, leaving me alone in the strange circle of light. I take a strangled breath, trying to calm myself. It’s Sadal – he’s merely toying with me. Punishing me for betraying him. Or he could be serious; he could enjoy watching me go mad. I know he will be watching. He’ll visit me now again, or watch from afar, but he won’t let his little game play out without spectating.
The silence is overwhelming now, so heavy and tangible it feels as if I’m suffocating. I claw at my ears, as if to clear them enough to relieve the growing pressure. Breathing shallowly, I crawl to my feet and stare into the inky shadows. I reach for them, feeling that otherworldly chill on my fingertips. The darkness caresses my skin; cold kisses.
I sigh heavily, loud enough to break the silence and it’s as if I can breathe again. I make another sound, scuffing my shoe. It’s enough. I look around the circle of light and see a lantern in the center, a small flame flickering inside. I pick it up and thrust it into the darkness. The shadows flee from the light and I take a hesitant step into it.
“You can do this,” I murmur to myself. “You can do this.”
The circle of light disappears behind a curtain of darkness and I gasp sharply, fear coiling in my gut. I have my lantern to keep the darkness at bay, but the light is faint and doesn’t pierce far enough. I listen intently for any sounds of approaching creatures; footsteps, growls, breathing. But there’s only silence. Feeling more confident, I creep forwards.
The ether is the realm that Sadal dwells in, as well as any creatures of darkness – gods or otherwise. I read that those who weren’t born in the ether can go mad here; that time is like a cage rather than a construct. Everything can happen at once, and nothing at all. I wonder what I’ll find here. Monsters prowling in the dark, a god even older than Sadal waiting to play tricks, or something else entirely.
I swallow thickly, trying to quiet the fear building in my chest. My blood is cold, heart racing as my eyes follow every shadow of movement. I feel like a deer being stalked by a thousand mountain lions. Danger is lurking everywhere. But I can’t sit still and hope for Sadal to return and let me leave this place. No. I’ll have to find a way out on my own.
Suddenly, I see a glow in the distance, warm and welcoming. I hurry towards it, the tapping of my feet the only sound in the darkness. The shadows grow sparse, beat back by the inviting light. I burst into it, relief swelling in my heart.
I’ve wandered into a room, brightly lit and smelling of saltwater and jasmine. I breathe in the familiar scent and it’s as if all my muscles relax. I know this room. I know the soft, velvet curtains hanging over the windows and door leading to the balcony. I know the fireplace, already burning merrily despite the summer heat. It’s my room, in Altair’s castle.
I swallow the relieved sobs that wrack my shoulders and take a steadying breathe. I know this isn’t real. It’s not real because Sadal conquered this place; it belongs to him and his demons now. It’s not real because I can see myself curled on the floor, just barely gaining consciousness. On the balcony, I see Acubens – Altair – watching the other me carefully. His hazel eyes are intense and his tail twitches anxiously.
The other me lifts herself to her elbows and looks sleepily around the room. When she sees Acubens, she screams shrilly. I choke back a laugh as I watch the memory play out. Books fly and Altair’s feathers ruffle with rage. I can hardly believe this was only a few short months ago. Things have changed.
I close my eyes and will a new memory; Altair’s memory. I ask the ether to show me Altair, something happy and pleasant and maybe a little wicked. When I open my eyes again, the scene has changed.
Altair, in his Fae form, sits pensively on the edge of his bed. His hair is perfectly combed, his clothes immaculate. I almost sigh when I see him looking as he did before the
