I’d known all of this, of course. To be presented with it altered some of my earlier bravado regarding this situation. Breaking her heart could prove to be a harder task than killing her husband. If I allowed my emotions to dictate my resolve, anyway.
Which wouldn’t happen.
I refused.
Still, we could work together, grant her the opportunity for a little revenge, and strengthen her along the way. “Watching you kill Lavios was, well, arousing.” I combed my fingers through her silky strands, adoring the way it clung to my skin as if longing for my touch. “I worried you might have suppressed your inner strength for too many years, but Lux was right. You’re finally growing into your power.”
I pressed my lips to her forehead, holding her close as she slowly stirred, my voice drawing her from her dreams. Whether she heard me or not, I couldn’t say. But she deserved the truth. At least part of it.
“For whatever reason, your parents and husband have chosen to keep you in the dark about what you can do. I think it’s fear. Given how you burned Lavios alive, I can understand why. Oh, but I’d like to see more, little bird. And I can help you, too. Together we can destroy them all.”
Except for her husband.
No, that bastard was mine. He needed to pay for his sins and the horrible pain he’d inflicted on my kingdom.
I wanted him to live long enough to watch me return the favor.
Then he could die.
Painfully.
Light blue eyes flickered up at me, shrouded in a thick dusting of lashes. “Adrik?”
My lips curled. “That is my name, yes.” And I rather adored the way it sounded coming from her alluring mouth. “Do you feel well rested?” It’d been a few hours since her energy outburst. Long enough for her to recover.
“What are you doing here?” she asked sleepily. “Am I dreaming again?”
“Hmm, are you?” I asked, guiding her back into the mattress and hovering over her. “If this was a dream, what would we do?”
“Run,” she breathed. “Leave this place.”
“Wouldn’t it be far more fun to kill them all first? And then run?” I drew my thumb across her cheek as I balanced on my elbows above her. “Paint the city in blood. Destroy everyone in our path. Watch it burn. That would be my dream.”
She swallowed, her pupils dilating. “I like that dream.”
“You have the power to achieve it, Valora,” I said softly. “With the right tra
ining.”
“Power,” she repeated on a wistful sigh. “Power is something I don’t have.”
“On the contrary, sweetheart. You’re brimming with energy. That’s how you killed Lavios.” I tilted my head, holding her gaze. “You can feel it now, can’t you? The fiery energy warming your veins? You incinerated him with it. The heavens above call it angelfire.” And it was exquisitely rare in the Underworld.
“I don’t…” She frowned, her delicate hands roaming up my arms to my shoulders. “I killed Lavios?”
“You did,” I confirmed. “It was a beautiful sight.”
“And you were there?”
“Lurking in the shadows, yes. It’s where I enjoy playing.”
“You watched him…?”
Some of my amusement died. “Beat you? Yes. It was why I urged you to retaliate.” For which I was grateful she had. Otherwise, I would have had no choice but to intervene. “You’re stronger than you know, Valora. I can help you nurture that strength, help you hone it and use it to take them all down. But only if that’s your wish.”
Her eyes searched mine, the dazed quality in her icy blue irises fading into understanding. “This isn’t a dream.”
“No, it’s not.” I again traced her cheek, my thumb lingering near the edge of her lips. “You killed Lavios, and it was one of the most exquisite deaths I’ve ever witnessed.”