Chapter 39

Chapter Thirty-Nine

T he portal closed behind us and Tallon pulled me tightly to his side.

Breathing in the calm air of the Beyond, I was certain I was exactly where I belonged. Finally.

"I'd like to introduce you to my court," Kalyx said as the portal collapsed behind us.

The soft breeze, so unlike the cold wind from before, pressed my dress against my shins, the fabric damp with blood and reminding me just what we'd escaped. Tallon squeezed my hand, noticing my grimace no doubt. "Let us clean up and rest first, will you?"

Kalyx bowed. "Of course. I'll wait for you in the throne room. Tallon, you know the way still, yes?"

Tallon barely stifled his eye roll. "Yes, I do remember the way. I've been gone not even two years, not a century."

My grandfather waved us off with a wide, too-innocent smile and a wink to me when Tallon turned away. "Go, get clean. Rest. There's much to show you, but all the time in the world now that you're both here."

My heart squeezed at the warmth and genuine joy in his voice. He wanted me here. Still overwhelmed by how different this Beyond seemed, I let Tallon pull me down the black-dirt path, away from Kalyx even as I watched him over my shoulder as we departed. Finally out of his sight as Tallon guided us around a towering pillar of stone, I turned my attention back to the man who'd given me everything.

"Are you glad to be back here for good?" I asked. His hand was warm in mine, and despite the blood that still streaked both of us, I was not afraid. Sylviana fell into step beside us as we continued down the path. "And where are we going?"

"I figured we could walk to the palace, so you could see the Beyond outside of your nightmares," he said softly. "And I am very glad to be back, though I am immensely more pleased that you are here with me."

"Would you have really called in your favor to get me to come here?" I did not linger on the piece about my nightmares. He'd already proven this was a far different place when I was awake and here willingly. If he wanted to show it to me, I would be glad to see it. Besides, I was curious to see what else lay here in the Beyond.

"Absolutely." There was no hesitation, only that brazen confidence that occasionally bordered on arrogance.

"Well, I suppose you'll figure out another favor to…" My words trailed off as we turned a corner in the path. Before us lay what could only be the palace, a towering and expansive structure of gleaming black stone with jutting spires not unfamiliar in appearance to the jagged rocks that lined the cliffs it sat on. Stopping as I continued to marvel at it, I felt both Tallon and Sylviana watching me. Waiting for my reaction. "It's beautiful."

Tallon's shoulders visibly relaxed as he raised the back of my hand to his lips. "I hadn't realized how much I missed it until just now. And I am glad to be seeing it again with you."

As lovely as this is, Sylviana spoke, you two are both covered in blood still. Perhaps a bit of urgency to wash it off wouldn't be amiss.

"She's right. Let's get you clean," Tallon said. He ran his hands over my arms, flaking off some of the dried blood caked there. His chest inflated with a deep inhale, and on his exhale, we were back in his room in the palace. The bloody rags that I'd used to tend to his wounds not even a day ago were gone, and the room was pristine. He paused at the door to the bathroom. "Would you prefer to bathe alone, or would you mind some company? I find I'm not exactly eager to let you out of my sight right now."

Quickly growing exhaustion warred briefly with flaming desire, but before I could decide the victor, he spoke again.

"I promise, it will only be a bath and I will be on my best behavior." Despite his words, his smirk stoked the fire in my belly. "You're not used to the toll of the magic yet; you need to rest. Let me take care of you, please."

The exhaustion nudged ahead of the desire, cooling the burning in my blood as I nodded. Until he'd said something, I hadn't noticed the heaviness about my body, the ache forming behind my eyes. "A bath sounds lovely."

Stepping out of my shoes, I lifted my hair over my shoulder and turned my back to him. As reverently as he had put it on, Tallon carefully undid all the clasps along the dress, removing the spine piece and then peeling the blood-crusted dress from my body. His arms came around my waist, pulling me back to his chest as he pressed kiss after kiss along the marks that adorned my shoulder. "You are resplendent, Odyssa."

"Even covered in another's blood?" I teased as I looked over my shoulder at him.

His breath was warm as his laughter huffed against my skin. "Especially so, I find."

The sound of running water had me pulling back to look at him quizzically. "Is there someone else here?"

He kept me to his body, fighting gently as I'd moved to pull away and cover myself. "No, there's no one. Kalyx's palace is not so different from Auretras in that it's more than just a building of stone and metal. I requested it draw you a bath, and the magic responded."

"Would you teach me?" I asked. Despite the exhaustion, the magic I'd performed at Auretras still burned in my mind, and I wanted to know more. Leaning back into his embrace, I let my eyes fall closed. His touch was a comforting anchor amidst the swirling currents of uncertainty. His warmth soothed the ache of Emyl's letter that still lingered in my bones.

Tallon's lips brushed against my ear, his voice a low whisper that sent shivers down my spine. "I will teach you that and more. Anything you'd like will be yours here, Odyssa. But for now, let me get you clean."

With a gentle nudge, he guided me toward the awaiting bathtub, steam curling up from the fragrant water, filled with floating herbs and shimmering oils. Tallon held my hand as I stepped into the tub and eased myself down into the water's embrace. Immediately I felt relaxed yet also strangely energized, as if the water had peeled away the exhaustion from my body and left behind only a content state of accomplishment.

"Will you not join me?" I asked. He'd pulled my blood-soaked gown from my body, but had yet to shed his own clothes, simply rolling up the sleeves as he settled onto his knees beside the tub. "You are more covered in blood than I."

He leaned forward to capture my lips with his own, but the kiss was too brief and I chased his mouth as he pulled back, his silver eyes glittering as that smirk settled back into place. "Do not worry about me, my wolf. You first." He ran his hand through the water, bumping into my thigh as he did so. "Besides, I do not think this tub could hold us both."

I hummed, settling further into the water. He had a point, and though I'd expected his request for company to be fulfilled quite differently, so long as he stayed within my reach, all would be fine. I, too, didn't want to stray far from him. While he was comfortable here in the Beyond, far more so than I'd ever seen him at Castle Auretras, I was not.

Tallon settled onto the floor by my side, his presence a steady beacon as he reached for a washcloth, dipping it into the water before gently running it across my skin, the remnants of blood and battle fading beneath his touch. The water swirled red and I fought to raise my eyes to Tallon's face rather than watch the reminder of what we'd done. What we'd had to do.

"Relax, my love," he whispered, his voice a soothing melody that wrapped around me like a comforting embrace. "There will be plenty of time for thoughts and questions later."

Closing my eyes, I surrendered to the sensation, allowing myself to be carried away by the current of affection that flowed between us. In the safety of Tallon's watchful presence, I found solace amidst the chaos of the Beyond, knowing that no matter what trials lay ahead, we would face them together. Water sloshed and the washcloth rasped over my skin gently, but with my eyes closed, surrounded by warm water and feeling Tallon next to me, I drifted to the edge of sleep, never quite falling over.

Some time later, I was pulled from my warm drifting by Tallon's hand cupping my cheek. "My wolf, I'm afraid it's time to get out of the bath. Your grandfather has grown impatient, it seems."

Opening my eyes, I was surprised to find him in an entirely different outfit and completely devoid of blood. Now, he was dressed in a deep purple shirt with his sleeves pushed up to his elbows and left unbuttoned so I could see the way his marks dipped across his throat and collarbones. I wanted to tear the buttons off with my teeth. I blinked at him. "When did you leave?"

His smirk gave way to a full smile, one that showed his teeth and dimpled his cheeks. "You were quite out of it, my wolf. But I only left for a moment." He rose from the floor gracefully, extending his hand out to me. "Come. If Kalyx must come fetch us himself, I fear it would not be a pleasant experience."

I let him guide me from the tub and stepped into his arms as he held out a fluffy towel. Biting my lip as I grew wary, I wondered if we'd made a mistake coming back here. "What would he do?"

Tallon paused in running the towel over my body. "Oh, no Odyssa, not like that. He would not harm us, I swear it. I meant more along the lines of unbearable teasing. I apologize."

Shaking my head, I pulled the towel from his hands and continued drying myself off as I avoided his stare. "No, I'm being silly. I suppose I'm not…" I searched for the right words.

His hand cupped my elbow and brought me to standing where his gaze captured mine. "You're not used to being wanted. To being loved. It's quite alright, my wolf. We will teach you."

I dried and dressed in silence, pulling on the off-the-shoulder crimson gown that Tallon had laid out for me while trying to find the words to express just how grateful I was for him. I had no example of how to express my own love, my own want, but I wanted to desperately. To tell him exactly how much I appreciated his support and his care. Instead, I settled for cupping his face in my hands and pouring it all into a kiss. One that left my knees weak and my chest heaving.

Tallon had not fared much better. His voice was hoarse as he pulled away and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "We should leave this room. I certainly don't want to be made a liar, but if your grandfather comes to find us now, I worry what he'd do if he found us in bed."

At that, a laugh finally bubbled up from my chest. The absurdity of it, of me going from having no one to care what I did so long as I was useful, to having a grandfather. And one who would care enough to be upset at the thought. It was odd, but in a delightful way. "Let's go then. I'd like to learn more about this place anyway."

"We will teach you everything," he vowed. He took my hand as we left the room. "I suspect he will want to introduce you to his court. Some of the other gods might be here, but he might not call on them so soon."

My blood chilled and the smile fell from my face. "Cethin?"

"I plan to ask him about that later, but Cethin doesn't often come here." He brought my hand to his lips. "You will be safe, Odyssa. I swear, just as I swore it at Auretras, no harm will come to you."

I didn't point out that harm had come to me at Auretras, even after his vow. It wasn't the time, and I knew that if he'd had more authority, more power, he would have kept it. "How should I act?"

"Be yourself." His words were firm. "You do not have to wear a mask here, my wolf. Never again."

"Never again," I repeated. I liked the sound of that, though I knew it would never be as easy as he made it out to be. I'd lived my life behind a mask, and shedding it would be like shedding my skin. But I would do it. I wanted to do it.

"Ahh, my darling granddaughter has joined us," Kalyx's smooth voice boomed over the stone as we entered what could only be the throne room. Much like the ballroom of Castle Auretras, the floor was smooth black stone that reflected the lanterns that bordered it, set upon the face of black columns streaked with gold veins. It was regal in a way Eadric could have only pined for.

"She needs to rest , Kalyx," Tallon said through gritted teeth. "Not be paraded about. This could have waited."

"Nonsense!"

"She isn't used to expending as much magic as she did at Auretras."

"She will learn. This is important; they need to meet her."

"They can wait."

"Stop it!" I hissed, clutching my hands to my ears. Everything was too loud . Too much. Something had changed since we'd first arrived, and it was like everything was amplified, all the noises rushing into my head and swirling around. "What is this?"

"What's wrong?" Tallon asked, rushing to my side. "What did you do, Kalyx?"

"I merely reversed the effects of the plague on her body." The concern was clear in Kalyx's voice, but the volume was still piercing my ears. "I fixed what you broke."

"Take it back, " I demanded. "There was nothing wrong with me. I don't want it. I don't want this."

"Undo it. Now."

"Fine, fine." Kalyx waved his hand, and like a blanket settling over the room, the noise was muffled. His voice sounded like it was underwater, but it was manageable. It was familiar, and it was what I'd grown accustomed to. "Is that better?"

I lowered my hands from my ears. "Much."

"You truly do not wish to be made whole again?"

"I was never made less." I raised a brow. "Do not deign to make decisions for me again, especially regarding my body. I can hear you just fine. I can breathe just fine. I can manage my way through life just fine and I do not need anyone deciding otherwise."

Tallon said nothing, but I could sense the arrogant smirk on his face directed at Kalyx, who bent his head like a scolded puppy. "Of course, my dear."

"Now," I said, squeezing Tallon's hand. "Who would you like me to meet, Kalyx? Tallon is right; I am exhausted and would like to rest, but I understand this is important to you too."

"Of course, my dear," Kalyx repeated. He bowed lowly before straightening and clapping his hands. "My court, if you will join us. I'd like to introduce my granddaughter, Odyssa. And of course, you all know my favorite herald, Tallon."

From between the columns that lined the walls, people appeared. Only a handful, and yet my heart raced in my chest. Tallon had said no mask, and yet I couldn't deny my desire to impress these people. To impress Kalyx. Tallon squeezed my hand twice, no doubt reminding me of his presence, and of his words.

"Hello," I greeted the crowd. I couldn't bring myself to offer other pleasantries, not when I was growing quickly overwhelmed by them staring.

"She is Eiran's daughter?" a woman asked, peering at me closely. Whatever she found in my face, she liked, because she straightened, and the smile she offered was near blinding. "Of course she is; I see it now. Welcome, Eiran's daughter, to the Beyond."

Eiran. I'd never known my father's name; my mother had refused to speak it. My throat was thick with tears I would not shed for a man I had not known, so I nodded in return.

"Introduce yourselves to her," Tallon ordered. He shifted closer to me so our arms brushed, and that warmth seeping from him was all I needed to find my footing once more. "She just arrived and doesn't know your names. Kalyx is a terrible host."

Several of them fought to hide smiles as my grandfather rolled his eyes. Tallon, it seemed, had embraced the removal of his own mask. I enjoyed seeing him be himself and not the instrument of Death that Eadric had wielded. They stumbled over themselves to approach me, offering their names along with small bows. The woman who'd gifted me my father's name spoke first, introducing herself as Imelda. Then, Evander. Silas. Amira. Hale. Runa. Eris. Thane.

I greeted them all, committing their faces and names to memory as best I could.

"Will she be your heir?" Hale, a slight blond man with long hair, asked.

"If she wishes to be," Kalyx replied, looking at me expectantly.

"Do not make her decide now," Tallon nearly growled. "This is enough; she needs to rest. "

"Fine," Kalyx said with an eye roll. "Tomorrow evening then, we will have a party welcoming home Odyssa and Tallon. Once there's been a decision made by Odyssa, there will be an announcement. For now, Tallon remains my heir."

"You're the heir?" I asked under my breath as the others began to talk amongst themselves about the party. He hadn't told me that, and the last thing I wanted was to take anything away from him. He'd had enough taken.

"We'll discuss this later," he said, pressing a kiss to my hair. "I have no problem with you being heir. Besides, I'm planning on never leaving your side. Perhaps we can be co-heirs."

Kalyx's eyes narrowed on us, but before he could open his mouth, the throne room doors opened and a harried man entered, clutching his hands in front of him.

"I apologize, my lord, for the interruption," he began with a bow. "I have an urgent message for you."

"Clear the room," Kalyx ordered after watching the man for a moment. He raised a brow to me and Tallon. "You may stay."

The courtiers cleared out, leaving us with the anxious man, Tallon, and my grandfather in the spacious room. The weight of judging stares lifted, I felt more at ease and studied the man. He wore a gold brocaded jacket, heavy and certainly expensive.

"Odyssa, this is Caspian," Tallon introduced. "He is the messenger between the gods."

"Who has a message for me?" Kalyx asked, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees.

"Alastriona is having," he paused and grimaced, as if searching for the right word, "difficulties with some pirates off the coast kidnapping her heralds. She's requested your assistance in dealing with them."

"Of course she is." Kalyx sighed heavily, rubbing his brow. "Alright, then, tell her I will be there in a moment."

The man bowed before hastily retreating.

"And tell her I will be bringing my heirs," Kalyx called to his back. He eyed us as the doors swung shut. "Yes, I did hear that little conversation between you. We will discuss it tomorrow."

My face flushed, fearing an admonishment, but Tallon merely scoffed. "It delighted you; do not lie. Now you do not have to make a choice."

"Alastriona is…?" I asked, trying to remember the stories my mother had told me and coming up short.

"You do not have to change the subject, Odyssa. This is not like Auretras," Tallon said. "No one will harm you for having an opinion, nor for questioning Kalyx."

I nodded, grateful that again he'd seen through the mask I hadn't even realized I'd put on. I squeezed his hand. "Thank you, Tallon. Truly, though, I do not remember who Alastriona is."

"Goddess of the seas," Tallon supplied, squeezing my fingers in return as I smiled at him in thanks. He winked at me. "You will like her."

"How can you help her?" I asked Kalyx. I had to ignore Tallon's teasing even as it made my heart soar with joy, lest my questions go perpetually unanswered. "What does she want you to do?

"I'm not sure that I can help, really. If she wanted them simply killed, she could have done it herself." He shrugged, standing from his throne and adjusting his clothing. "But we are friendly, so I'll at least go see what is happening. Come with us, Odyssa. I'd like you to meet her. Tallon is right; you will like her. I have a strange feeling she will like you as well."