Chapter Nine

Niko

After the mess out in the meadow, I lead Cassandra and my mother back to the palace. Sonia and Ethan follow behind. I don't try to convince the Valkyrie girl that Cassandra will be safe without her, she wouldn't listen. The only thing she cares about now is repaying the life debt she owes Cassandra.

Now that Cassandra has released her hold on the earth, her fatigue has returned. She leans against me as we walk, and worry consumes me. When we enter the palace, I lead her toward my quarters.

"Cassandra needs to rest," I say to my mother.

"Of course," she replies with a soft smile. "I will find a place for Sonia and Ethan."

Lifting Cassandra into my arms, I carry her up the stairs and down a long corridor toward the west wing of the palace. Once we are inside my chambers, I carry her over to the large bed. As I place her down, I catch her staring at me.

"We need to talk about what you did today," I say as I brush a strand of hair from her face.

"What do you mean?" she asks softly.

"You could have seriously hurt yourself." I rise from the bed and run a hand through my hair. "You are wrecked after saving that boy's life."

Cassandra lifts herself to rest against the headboard. "Should I have let him die?" she asks angrily. "I thought the point of me being here was to help you save your people?"

"Cassandra," I growl at her.

"Don't Cassandra me!" she cuts me off.

"Woman," I try again.

"No, Niko." She glares at me. "You brought me here to help. Or did you also want to dictate my life and use me?"

"Yes!" I yell. Taking a deep breath, I continue. "I brought you here to help save my realm and my people, but not at the cost of your own life."

She watches me with large eyes, defiance shining brightly as I try to get myself back under control.

"I want you to be happy here," I say gently, trying to get her to understand. "I need a wife, a queen by my side. And yes, I need a witch. But this arrangement is supposed to suit us both. If you kill yourself trying to save every person, neither of us will get a chance to reach our goals."

"I understand," Cassandra replies softly as the fight quickly leaves her.

"Get some rest." I turn and exit the room, not in the mood to have another impromptu argument when all I am trying to do is keep her safe.

****

Cassandra

It doesn't take me long to drift off to sleep. My body, soul, and magik are completely spent. But I know that what I did today was the right thing to do. I have never experienced magik the way I did today.

In my dreams, I relive the past twenty-four hours:

-Arabella revealing the truth

-The fact that I can ascend anytime I want and I will keep my powers even if it doesn't happen before my twenty-fifth birthday

-Niko

-Traveling through the portal to his realm

-The beauty, the bloodshed, the magik

When I finally wake hours later, it's dark outside. I feel well-rested even though I know my mind didn't completely shut off. It must be the magik around me, helping me to rejuvenate. Looking around me, the room is bathed in candlelight. I take in all the little things I missed when Niko originally brought me here.

The walls are painted a tan color with beautiful artwork framed against the walls. The massive wooden four-poster bed is sturdy and stained to a dark color. The bedding is soft and luxurious, pale green with grey stripes. Standing, I make my way over to the balcony doors before stepping outside.

The view is breathtaking, even at night. Rolling hills and bright greenery stretch as far as the eye can see in the light of the moon. I can't wait to see all of this in the daylight, to go exploring. Around the palace are homes and what I assume to be stores surrounded by tall walls that keep everything inside a boundary of some sort. After what I saw yesterday, I can understand the need for safety.

"What do you think?" Niko's voice startles me from behind.

"It's all very beautiful," I say as I face him, my hand against my chest where my heart beats rapidly.

"Will you stay?" Niko asks getting straight to the point. "Give me a chance to show you what life here can be like. What life as my Consort has to offer."

I watch him closely as I speak, waiting for him to show anger or impatience at my words. "I have a few questions before I can decide."