* * *
The pain was indescribable.
* * *
The sword tumbled from Ari’s grip and her body, as if trying to separate itself from the agonizing wound in her stomach, just let go. Her knees gave way and she fell to them, her wide, astonished eyes lowering to the jewel-encrusted blade lodged in her gut.
She raised her eyes to Lilif as trembling hands fingered the handle. She watched as the jinn queen stood gracefully to her feet, her dark eyes blazing down upon Ari.
“You thought you could best me? You thought you could turn those who love me against me?” She shook her head pitifully. “You are but a child. How could you ever best me?”
Ari gulped, trying to speak, trying to think, trying to win.
“I could have saved you. Now I’m going to make sure that the people you love die painfully and slowly. You could have had my mercy, you silly—”
A fist burst through Lilif’s chest, agony halting her words.
Asmodeus stood behind her, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears as he whispered in Lilif’s ear, “When have you ever been merciful, Sister?” and with that, he jerked his fist out through her back. Her body, a dead weight, collapsed into the desert and Asmodeus stood over her, his bloody fist glowing with ember.
It was all that was left of Lilif.
A tear slipped down his cheek as he whispered something under his breath and clenched his fist, watching the ember’s light fade. As he released his hold on it, it transformed to black dust that glittered on its descent to the sand.
A harsh wind swept over Lilif’s body. Her skin crackled and crumbled, until nothing remained but black dust blowing away into the indigo sky.
Relief tore through Ari seconds before the blazing hurt returned and she made a pained noise, falling onto her back.
Asmodeus’s blank, handsome face appeared above her. “You seem to be in quite a predicament.” There was no emotion in his voice, nothing to assure her that he wouldn’t let her die.
She was going to die.
It was over and she was going to die.
Jai!
She’d promised him. She’d promised him she’d come back, that he wouldn’t ever have to feel lost and alone without her.
At the thought of leaving him, tears filled her eyes and she gulped, choking on blood.
Asmodeus seemed to read her and he leaned in close, his the last words in her head before the world turned black.
“As if I’d make it that easy for you.”
Chapter
Nineteen
Nothing Has Changed, Only Everything
Their voices and the waves of immense power that beat at Ari’s body brought her out of unconsciousness. She opened her eyes slowly and found her gaze on the Red King.
She was on a couch somewhere and he stood behind it, near her, speaking to someone directly across from him.
What happened?
Searching her groggy mind, Ari couldn’t help her gasp or the way her body jerked as her hands sought her stomach. There was a hole in her shirt and the skin underneath was raised.
Lilif daggered me.
Her movement brought Red’s eyes down to hers. She saw his concern and instantly felt better, allowing the relief of having taken down Lilif to settle throughout her body. “It’s done,” she told him with a croaky voice.
He nodded, his expression grim as he darted a look over her head at someone.
Asmodeus.
Asmodeus killed Lilif. And Ari had promised she’d try to make sure it didn’t come to that. Unfortunately, she hadn’t been strong enough. Sitting up slowly, Ari was gratified to find she felt no pain; all the other aches and hurts from the fight had been healed too. Her eyes flickered around the room and she discovered the kings were still there, including her father, the White King. She flinched when she saw him but his expression gave nothing away.
She didn’t know what to think of him. White had caused all this but had attempted to right his wrong by feeding Red information about Lilif. When White’s expression didn’t change, Ari ignored the familiar stab of hurt she felt at his indifference. He was her father, after all, but you’d never know it. With an inward sigh, she put her feet on the floor and turned to Asmodeus who stood by the fireplace in Azazil’s parlor. Azazil was close by, his hand on Asmodeus’s shoulder in a rare show of comfort.
Sensing her gaze on him, Asmodeus lifted his eyes to her and the fear she felt was immediate. His eyes weren’t blank; they were filled with calculation and spiteful intent. “I told you I would not let you die out there. That would be much too easy on you. I think your punishment should fit the crime, don’t you?”
She heard Red growl in warning but it did nothing to slow her racing heartbeat. More unnerving was the amused smirk on Azazil’s face.