The other man shut the door as Roux turned on his heel. They faced off like two foes on a battlefield.
Roux chose to break the silence. “She told you what I am to her.” A statement, not a question.
“She did. You might be happy to know she was confused by her feelings for both of us.” Laban grinned coldly. “Then I explained how she’s been deceived. How Erebus tricked her into thinking you are her consort. It’s only a matter of time before she cuts you loose.”
He stiffened. Did the male speak truth?
No. No! Roux would not travel this road of thought. The very road he’d traveled the whole of his life, anytime he’d wondered about his purpose, believing he was destined to live and die alone. His time with Blythe had changed him, teaching him better.Shewas his purpose. His reason for being. He loved her, and love was never a mistake.
His eyes widened. He did; he loved her. She filled every corridor of his heart. Her grace. Her ferocity. Her playfulness. Her strength. Her bravery. Her everything. From the first moment he’d spied her, a part of him had known she meant something to him. That she could do what no one else had been able to: finally complete him.
To forgive him and shed her hatred as she’d done...she must love him, too. Nothing but love could conquer so pure and justified a hatred. Erebus could do many things, but he could not manipulate emotions.
Only one question remained. Would Blythe be able to cutLabanloose?
Roux fisted his hands, and the manticore braced, as if he expected a blow. A minute passed in tense silence; neither of them moved.
“I meant what I said, Astra.” Laban grated the words. “You shouldn’t have come. You are doing exactly what he wants and—” He slammed his lips together, silencing himself.
Why not finish the thought? Did it really matter? “I will leave.” The urge to strike was only growing stronger. Though Roux could have flashed away, he walked toward the door. Taking his time, hoping against hope Blythe would return before he exited.
Laban moved to block his path, fury and regret glinting in his eyes.
Why regret?
“It’s too late now, Astra. So. Let me tell you how the rest of our conversation is going to go. In a moment, I’ll say something that horrifies and disgusts you. You’ll attack me. In the process, you’ll ruin your chance with Blythe, and Erebus will win your war.”
A terrible suspicion flittered across Roux’s mind. He almost flashed then and there. If he was proven correct...
The manticore might be right about what happens next.
In the end, he stayed.Must know.
He offered a stiff nod. “Let’s hear what you have to say.”
“Another mistake on your part.” Radiating strain, Laban ran the length of chain between his fingers. “Ten years ago, Erebus came to me. He made me into a deathless phantom, something Blythe now knows. What she doesn’t know? What I lied to her about? Erebus bound me to his will. He told me to fall in love with her, so I did. Maybe I was always meant to love her. Maybe his command was responsible. Perhaps the fact that he replaced my heart with a clone of the god Mars is responsible. We might never know.”
Breath sawed in and out of Roux’s mouth. Each new sentence hit him with the force of a cannonball, proving his suspicion was, in fact, correct. “Tell me the rest.”
“I was commanded to keep her safe until the Astra Planeta invaded her world. And I did. With every ounce of my strength, I did. But Erebus issued other commands once he had me in his possession. Do you wish to know what I was ordered to do if you came to my room today?”
No. “Tell me,” he croaked.
“I am to kill Isla and ensure the blame points to you.”
Bile seared his throat. That...that Roux had not expected. “Harm your own child?” He gave his head a violent shake. “No. You will not kill your daughter.”
“You think I want to?” Laban shouted. He dropped the length of chain and reached up. With only a flick of his wrists, he removed the metal collar. It dropped, too. A loud clink pierced the airwaves. “This was merely for show. You realize that, yes? I was to wear it until our private confrontation, and I always do what I’m told. I have failed to stop myself from completing any of Erebus’s previous orders. Remain quiet about my transformation. Let you kill me the day of your invasion. Try to convince Blythe to pick me over you. I won’t be able to stop the next action, either. So, you have a choice, Astra. Let me murder my own child or kill me and lose Blythe, just as I told you. Exactly what Erebus hopes you’ll do.”
Roux reeled. He couldn’t...he didn’t...
“Kill me,” Laban snapped, raising his chin. “That is whatIhope you’ll do. What Blythe and Islaneedyou to do. I know you love them because I know your heart better than my own.” He pounded a fist into his chest. “I know you’re a good male. So do this. Don’t make me beg for my own end. Let me go with at least a shred of dignity, knowing I finally did the right thing.”
As rage and protectiveness collided, Roux did it. He didn’t think any more. Didn’t give himself a chance to change his mind. He simply struck. In one fluid motion, he withdrew a trinite dagger and slammed the blade through the manticore’s heart. A true death for any phantom.
Blood trickled from the corners of Laban’s mouth as he offered a sad but relieved smile. “Thank you,” he rasped. “I’m sorry you’ve lost Blythe. If I can’t have her, you were a decent second choice. Tell her...” He went quiet then, his gaze sliding to the side. Soon, he stared at nothing and began to evaporate.
Roux both panicked and rejoiced. Isla was safe, but his relationship with Blythe was over. He’d just ended her first consort’s life. Again. He’d made this so easy for Erebus. Because no matter how fervently Roux explained the situation, the harpy would not believe him. She would accuse him of being jealous, and she would be right. On the surface, he looked guilty as sin.