43. Pallas

AfterKaleos, Raula, and I rejoined the main forces in the mist district, an executively minded noblewoman directed me to the castle to help with the wounded already there. Jun had assured me that he would follow. He had not.

Imulled over what I had heard happened at the bridge while I gently bandaged the arm of a soldier who had just received stitches from a healer. I tried to focus on it, but the work was too simple to draw my thoughts away from Jun and, surprisingly, more so, Avlyn.

Asif my thoughts had summoned them, I heard their voice echoing off the stone walls of the castle entrance hall.

Iturned my head to see the commander striding towards me. My stomach did a near-painful flip, and I tried to busy myself with the wrapping in front of me even more. They came up to my side and placed a hand on my shoulder. I slowly turned to see them beaming at me.

"Who knew we were hiding such a military force in the guest wing of the castle? I heard all about what you did on the tower. PerhapsI should have you working with our weapons development scholars?" They gave me their broad smile.

"I've done enough harm in this world. I don't need to make the tools to do more."

Avlyn'scheerful grin faltered. "Pallas, I was just—"

Junand Tori came sweeping into the room, and I let out a sigh of relief. I was sure the princess would easily dominate the conversation, so I didn't have to face Avlyn after what had transpired on the tower. To my surprise, they wouldn't look at each other, and each turned to a different side of the room, engaging with a different healer. My palms started sweating again as the commander still looked at me expectantly.

Thesoldiers around me all straightened up, Avlyn included. They sprang to attention, and I wasn't surprised to see Abraxas sweeping into the room. I was surprised to see him heading straight towards me. My stomach clenched tight as he nodded his head in a polite acknowledgment before he said, "My lady, there is much we need to discuss."

450 yearsago

"YourEminence, your gown tonight is absolutely stunning." The courtiers around me had flitted about like birds, twittering and vying for my attention. They had still held me in respect then and considered me Hadeon's fiancé, not just his consort. I was the future empress, and they all wanted my favor.

Ionly had eyes for him. He shone like the sun, his long mahogany hair was styled to perfection, and his violet and gold jacket only made his eyes all the more beautiful. He held my arm in his and smiled at me. "She is absolutely gorgeous, is she not? TheGoldenKingdom's greatest treasure. Now, you will all have to excuse me as I steal her away from you for a dance."

Hepulled me away from the crowd and into the center of the palace's ballroom. The band immediately struck up a lively tune just for us, and he swept me away. I had taught him these dances, and he faltered, but I was good at covering it up. After his third misstep, his face grew sour, and my stomach clenched. I could feel his mood shift.

"I told you to wear the turquoise gown tonight, Pallas. Are you trying to embarrass me?" I felt the hand on my lower back tighten.

"No, my love. I just thought this one would match tonight's theme better," I explained quietly.

Hiseyes narrowed. "I'm sure you did, but it's hideous. I never want to see it again."

"Of course, my love."

"And refer to me as ‘YourEminence.' For gods' sake, I swear your mind is slipping."

Idid everything I could to hide the tears rising in my eyes. "Of course, my—YourEminence."

Hescoffed, "You've become so sensitive, Pallas." He swept me around the floor until a great knocking came from the main entry.

"Finally," he mumbled, dragging me over towards them. "Try to at least be partially presentable, won't you Pallas?" I steeled my face as the doors opened to reveal the dark group waiting on the other side.

KingAbraxas had arrived, his traditional dark armor only adding to the air of hostility around him. He was surrounded by beautiful fae women and men, all clad in practically nothing at all, as was the DragonKingdom's style. They quickly scattered all over the ballroom, like ants taking over the carcass of a slain beast. All the courtiers seemed to shrink away in fear, except for the few who looked on with devious lust in their eyes. I'd come to learn which types of nobles enjoyed Abraxas' visits the best.

Theking approached Hadeon in a way much more brazen than any other would dare. I looked to see how Hadeon would take this insult and was surprised to find the smallest smile gracing his lips.

"My loyal general. I am honored by your presence." Abraxas pulled off his dragon maw helmet and tossed it to the dark-skinned soldier next to him without a second thought.

"The matter in Oeth has been taken care of. You won't have any more trouble from them." Abraxas said the words as if he was talking about the weather, but I had overheard the reports. Blood had run in the streets with over a thousand dead.

Ishivered. What type of man took life so casually? His silver hair shimmered in the late evening light of the ballroom, but when I looked at him, all I saw was darkness.

"I expected nothing less from you," Hadeon praised. Abraxas twitched the corner of his mouth at my lover, and I felt him stiffen beside me.

Theycontinued to chat idly, but my attention was caught on one of Abraxas' courtiers nearby. Her dress was nothing more than a transparent black swath of fabric draped over one shoulder. Her peaked nipples were very clearly the center of attention of everyone around her, and she reveled in it. That attention wasn't enough.

Shedraped herself over Abraxas' shoulder. I couldn't avert my eyes as he ran his hand around her exposed waist, his fingers moving slowly as he leaned into her hair and whispered something in her ear that had her giggling and blushing. Did he have no shame? But as I watched his fingers dip under the edges of the woman's skirts, I felt heat rising in my cheeks and was very aware of how Hadeon was not touching me.

Abraxaslocked eyes with me before I could look away, and he gave me a very knowing smirk that only made me blush harder. He turned his attention back to Hadeon and the other courtiers.

"You know, KingAbraxas…" CommanderDagius interjected. "…some would say that you used unnecessary force in Oeth."

"Some would not know what sort of sacrifices are needed to maintain peace." Abraxas didn't even look at the man as he spoke; instead he pressed his face into the crook of his courtier's neck, his lips dancing over her skin as she emitted a soft moan.

Dagiusturned bright red. "I suppose it's my own fault for expecting honorable behavior from a man who committed patricide."

Ithappened faster than I could see. There was a flash, and Dagius' face went slack. Red bubbled up over his throat as his head slid off his shoulders. His wife screamed, and she was covered in a fountain of blood. Abraxas calmly re-sheathed his sword and turned away as if the conversation bored him, dragging the courtier with as she turned deathly pale. He released her and grabbed Hadeon to lead him away. I stumbled after them, my legs barely connected to my mind. "GoldenKingdom parties have always been such a bore." This man was a monster.

Heslung his arm around Hadeon's shoulder and pulled him in close. Much too close. Hadeon's eyes twinkled, and a horrible realization struck me. He was looking at Abraxas in a way he had once only reserved for me.

Abraxasleaned close to Hadeon's ear, and in a voice so deep and soft I barely heard it, he whispered, "If you'd lend me a few of your staff to assist, I could show you a real party."

PresentDay

Isat across from Abraxas in what I assumed was his study. He sat leaning back in his chair, his legs crossed as he toyed with a quill between his fingers. He looked every bit the DragonKingI had known for centuries. Was this the man Tori loved so dearly? It seemed impossible. I clenched my fingers on the edge of the chair beneath me.

"It occurs to me that in the five hundred years we have known each other, Pallas, we haven't had much of a chance to talk."

"There never was anything for us to talk about, Abraxas."

Isaw him mull over my use of his name in his mind, but he continued, ignoring it. "Well, I would say that situation has changed, hasn't it?"

Ididn't answer. His lips curled up into that dark smile that made me wonder if I would have my head at the end of this conversation.

"I heard about your little stunt with the GoldenArmy," he continued, his tone dripping with disdain. "But let"s not pretend it was out of the goodness of your heart. We both know better than that."

"Do not presume to know me. You know absolutely nothing about me." I felt the chair under my hands crack as my nails dug into the wood.

Hissmirk only grew. "What game are you playing, Pallas?"

"I'm not playing any games, Abraxas."

"Do not pretend to be the simpering courtier with me. Others may see you as nothing more than a beautiful face, but I see you. Everything"s a game to you, isn"t it? You"ve always had a knack for finding the winning move."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"Five hundred years I've seen you sit by the side of the most powerful man in Adimos. Five hundred years you have clung to him. And then the moment the world shifts, I find you here, now somehow heavily embedded in my court. Do you not find that interesting?"

Myheart raced, and I felt my breath coming in increasingly shallow breaths. Me, cling to Hadeon? It was both entirely false and painfully true. Hadeon had claimed me, but I had never tried to let go. Not until now.

Abraxasstood, and I felt the room grow darker. He didn't shift forms, but he still seemed to take up more space, and all the air was sucked from the room. I couldn't breathe.

"So, tell me, why have you come here?"

Icould barely get the words out, but I managed. "My reasons are my own, none of your business." The creature deep in my gut hissed.

"Oh, but that's where you're wrong; it very much is my business. Especially where my mate and her brother are concerned. Especially when you are the daughter of RunyaMorvavare, who created the enchantment that holds my father's heart."

Hewalked slowly across the room, his hand rested on the back of my chair, pushing it back.

"I'm not afraid of you." It came out as a squeak, a pathetic attempt at boldness. Weak. You've always been so weak for these men. Stand up! ButI couldn't. I couldn't move. I was always frozen.

Hissmirk was an arrogant one. "Oh, then maybe you are a fool. Would you like me to remind you who I am?"

Myheart was beating so fast I thought it might give out. I could feel sweat cling to my neck as green flames danced around him.

"BACK!"

Abraxasslid across the room, and my chair slammed onto the floor. He shook his head and grinned as Jun put his body between us. Jun's power had been growing ever since his collar had come off. By the gods, he'd just decimated the mist district bridge. Abraxas looked unbothered as if the command had been nothing more than a gentle spring breeze. He smiled.

"It seems you are in good spirits, Prince." I heard Jun growl, a sound I'd never heard from him before. The king's smile dropped, but it wasn't because of Jun.

"Abraxas!" Tori stormed into the room; her face full of menace. "What the hell are you doing?"

Ididn't hear how he responded. I couldn't hear anything over the ringing in my ears. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't breathe.

"Pallas, you're alright." It was Jun, and he held my hands, kneeling in front of me.

"Take her to your room." Tori's voice was filled with rage, but it wasn't aimed at me. I felt Jun gently guide me, and all I did was focus on putting one foot in front of the other.