It catches him around the ankle, and he falls to the ground with a thud. Dust flies all around him, and he coughs as the air blasts out of his lung.
“You’re becoming a menace,” Nox says in annoyance.
Chuckling, I watch in amazement as she bests him with her sword and whip. She’s so focused she doesn’t see Uriel come behind her. When he wrap his holy magic around her, she’s forced to release the whip.
He squeezes, wrapping the vines tighter around her. She thrashes and tries to break free, but he’s got her in a hold.
“Submit, young one. There’s nothing that breaks holy vines,” Uriel taunts her.
She relaxes, and the vines fall away. “I will learn how to get out. You can trust that as my word.”
Nox gets up from the floor, and all three walk over to where I stand. Dirt and grime cover them, but the smiles on their faces say it was worth it.
Once she notices me, a frown overcomes her. Not the welcome I was expecting.
“You should be in bed,” she says.
“I couldn’t stay in that room. I’m not good at idling. I need action.”
“I bet you do,” she retorts, taking a sip from a skein of water. Her silver eyes catch the light, and a weird feeling forms in my stomach as I watch her gulp down the water.
Nox flicks me in the ear. “Enough, Blood.”
I can’t help but beam at him. “She is my mate.”
Anima spits out some water. “Stop telling everyone. Between the two of you, billboards will be plastered everywhere. Haven’t you heard of the element of surprise?”
“I care not for what people think. I’m proud to call you my mate, whether or not you hide the fact. We will be together. Mark my words.”
I turn from the trio to make my way back into the house. I’m getting weary of her objection, and I will wear her down. That is my promise to the universe.
Anima will be mine.
Five
ANIMA
After a shower and some food, I go in search of Namir. There are some things we need to discuss before we can move forward with our plans.
Scur is still a danger to us all, and I know he won’t let what we did to his army camp go. I also have a promise to fulfill. Before my life ends, he will die.
The tyger lies on the grass in an open field behind the training arena. His white coat glistens off the sun, and a lazy aura hangs in the air. He’s at peace, and I’m a little envious.
Come lie with me. The sun is the right temperature for a nap.
He stretches out, yawning, his tongue lolling out of his mouth.
“We need to strategize on how to deal with Scur. He’s the immediate threat. Rahna will have to wait until we deal with him,” I say aloud.
I plop down on his side and lean back. His heat seeps through me instantly, and my muscles relax. He chuffs in satisfaction, and my mind eases.
Scur is an arrogant ruler. He will find out where we are and attack. Suggest to the Dark king that you must return to his home. It’s a stronghold compared to this shack. We won’t survive here.
“Is his castle far? Will it be another trek as before?”
No, it lies on the border of the Dark and Deathlands. Maybe a few days from here on nuckaleeves, but I’m sure he has a portal somewhere. I can’t see the king riding through the forest.
He chuckles, sending a vibration through his body. It’s like being in a giant massage chair. I close my eyes and tip my head to the sun. The rays burn into my eyelids, making everything turn red for a moment.
I wish things could be this simple always. Lying in the sun with a giant cat. While it’s nothing normal, I’d take this over killing any day. And yet, as the thought crosses my mind, shock rears its head. I’ve never been one to slack on my duties, but killing my kind doesn’t have the same appeal as before.
Rahna manipulated me. She knew my soul was half-demon, and my powers weren’t strictly a witch’s. My past has been a lie, and I’m tired of letting others dictate my values.
You’re thinking too loudly. Try to enjoy this time we have.
“It’s unfair what they’ve done to me. Their lies shaped who I’ve become, and now I’m stuck in a war I didn’t want but have to fight in.”
The realms are never kind to those who protect it. You choose if you want to be a victim or if you want to be its salvation.
“If honesty is what you seek, I want neither.”
His laugher floats through the bond. Trust yourself, soul-bonded. It will do you good to let go of all the rules. Just be within the moment the Fates have created for you. Nothing is impossible; you are proof of that.
A branch breaks in the distance, and both Namir and I raise our heads in curiosity. Nox breaks from the trees, then sits with us. His face is vulnerable, something I didn’t think the king of the Dark was capable of.
“Namir says we should leave this place. We must prepare for when Scur will find us. We have no defenses against his army here,” I say, leaning back into Namir once again.
“I’ve been planning it since you showed up. I thought nothing less of the imposter king when I saw Torque lying motionless on my front porch.” A quirk of a smile shows on his face.
“When do we leave? I don’t want to waste time getting to safety.”
“Tonight. Torque is well enough to travel. We will go to my castle. It’s fortified to withstand an attack. My army
