“Youarethe fantasy.”
A delighted laugh bubbled from her. Then she folded her hands behind her head, getting more comfortable beneath him. “Well, then. Do this fantasy right. She’s ready.”
He snorted. This. This was the life he’d never known he wanted. Never known he’d needed. Playful and fun. Passionate and intense.
“I’ll be right back,” he said, and she lost her grin fast.
“What!” Out came the scowl. “You’re leaving me right now? Is this how you plan to make me scream from a distance?”
With a grin of his own, he flashed away, then returned a few minutes later with a sack full of chocolate truffles. Treats he dumped all over her. “I’m told you have a sweet tooth.”
“You’re forgiven.” As she gobbled up one, then another, he stripped.
Naked, he crawled over her and tasted the chocolate on her lips.
She chased his mouth for more, and he gave it.
“I will give you a good life, Lyla.” He fed her the words between kisses. “Sometimes I will frustrate and anger you, but I will never not love you.”
Gasping, she cupped his cheeks. Soft and vulnerable, she held his face inches above hers and searched his gaze. “You love me?”
The truth slipped out. “She-beast, Ilivefor you.”My life raft. Never letting go.
Over the next few days, Blythe spent time with both Roux and Isla. Sometimes one on one. Sometimes together. The little girl still knew nothing about her father, and she never would.
After Blythe explained to the child how many times the Astra had helped save her life, Isla had begun to soften toward him. A wonderful start to something special.
When the final morning of the blessing task dawned bright and early, Blythe slipped from bed, leaving a sleeping Roux behind. A difficult thing to do, to be sure. He looked so peaceful. So beautiful.So mine.Making him smile had become her new favorite activity.
Heart clenching, she flashed to No Man’s Land. Only the General was present, all other harpies forbidden from entering today.
Taliyah had dressed for war but wrung her fingers and chewed on her bottom lip. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
“I am. And don’t forget we have Neeka’s blessing.” Blythe had indeed deciphered the oracle’s cryptic message, and the genius of it still left her breathless. So did the danger of it. But for Roux, she would do anything. With one act, she could prove how much he meant to her, save the Astra from the curse, and screw over her father.Ifher plan succeeded, of course. And it would. It must. “Did you bring what I asked for?”
Taliyah held up an ice chest. “I did. And you’re sure Erebus hasn’t foreseen this?”
“He didn’t foresee you taking your own life to save Roc. He didn’t foresee Ophelia eating him and spitting out his bones at Halo’s ceremony. The Blade of Destiny must not show him the decisions of thegravitas.”
Taliyah cracked her knuckles. “All right then. Let’s get started.”
Get started they did. When they finished, she remained in the pocket realm, away from Roux. If he or anyone else sensed what she’d done... No, better to keep her distance. She swam in the lake and changed into a clean uniform. No weapons needed today.
Finally, the countdown clock zeroed out, the ceremony set to begin. Blythe flashed to the harpy coliseum, at the far end of the center stands, and strode forward. Wow. Talk about déjà vu. The grains flung from her boots. Half the bleachers were filled with cheering harpies, the other half with phantoms chanting with monotone voices, “Ha ha ha. Ha ha ha.”
Up top on the royal dais stood Roc and Taliyah, the other Astra, Chaos, and a grinning Erebus, who thought he’d won this round. Sunshine illuminated the grim expressions of the others. Apparently, they believed the Dark One had won this round, too. A gentle breeze carried hints of spring.
Roux waited in the center of the arena, shirtless, wearing a pair of leather pants with a single trinite blade sheathed at his side. The Ation crown dangled from his grip. Mmm. So pretty! The manandthe headgear.Gimme!
Never had her Astra appeared so strained. Tension pulled his skin taut over sharp bone and bulging muscle. She wished she could offer comfort, but she knew there was nothing she could say to make this easier.
When she stopped in front of him, she curbed the urge to hug him. Contact could only add to the difficulty. “Hey, babe. I’ll take what’s mine, please and thank you.” She plucked the crown from his fingers and settled the dark crystals atop her head.
Oh, yeah. Satisfaction flowed over her. So much better. Woe to anyone who attempted to take this circlet from her. She’d meant what she’d told him; she would be turning the realm of Ation into a wonderland of horrors and delights.
“Where have you been?” he demanded. He squeezed his eyes shut and pinched the bridge of his nose. Hisalevalajumped. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to lash out. This day has been...not great.” He groaned and opened his lids. With eyes like wounds, he asked, “What are we going to do, Lyla?”
Okay. Here goes.“I want you to cut out my heart with trinite,” she said, lifting her chin.