Chapter 26
TWENTY-SIX
ABADDON
My precious consort was absolutely perfect last night. I feel my mouth curve upward as I fly toward home, arms laden with treasures for her.
The sensation blooming in my chest is so unfamiliar that I struggle to identify it. Then recognition strikes.
Happiness.
She’s making me genuinely happy.
A century ago, I wouldn’t have believed such a thing possible for someone like me. Creator-Father cursed the day I drew breath. Called me worthless. Nothing. Even as he tried to discipline me day after day into becoming something he could—
I shake my head and allow my smile to spread wider instead.
There’s no point in dwelling on the past anymore.
There is only our future now.
I let myself spiral through the air, purely for the joy of feeling wind rushing through my feathers. It’s almost intoxicating.
I actually chuckle. Romulus would hardly believe it if he could witness me now. But she has brought such light to my existence.
She is my...
Miracle.
My grin widens as wind fills my mouth. Last night was the culmination of everything I never dared dream possible. When I brought her to such heights of pleasure, when we joined so completely, when I felt that perfect unity—
My chest swells with such overwhelming—
The divine spark within me begins to glow, a potential danger as I fly since it pierces my usual shroud of darkness. But I’m nearly home now, so close to her that I don’t care. My joy grows brighter with each wingbeat.
I think I’ll make love to her immediately upon my return. My body already aches with anticipation. She’ll probably have bathed by now. She’s wonderfully particular about cleanliness.
I’ll take exquisite pleasure in marking her as mine once again.
The castle comes into view, and my inner light blazes brighter. I must appear like a shooting star against the darkening winter sky.
I spiral downward toward home, this strange, wonderful happiness expanding in my chest at the thought of seeing her again.
Will she place those delicate hands on her hips and challenge me with fire in her beautiful eyes?
She confronts me like a fierce little wildcat with tiny claws.
And when she surrenders, that same fire becomes passion beneath me.
I am so utterly, completely happy.
Until—
Why is the castle door standing open like that?
Icy dread crashes into me like a physical blow, obliterating my joy in an instant.
I hit the ground hard, and immediately, my carefully gathered offerings drop. Exotic fruits and vegetables I traveled far to procure for her. Green leafy things and bright red and orange treasures roll into the snowbank.
What has happened in my absence?
Snow has drifted against the entrance. I refuse to believe what I’m seeing.
I refuse to accept that my consort has... has...
Even as the terrible obviousness makes me want to slam my skull against those very stones. Bring me different food, she’d said. Yes, go far away to find it. And she’d been so passionate with me, made me feel so—
The roar builds in my throat and erupts through my open mouth, a sound of pure anguish.
She’s fled.
The light in my chest dies completely. Now I am cold. So very, very cold.
I should have anticipated betrayal. What a fool I was not to.
As I turn to launch myself skyward and hunt down what belongs to me, an answering roar echoes from within the castle. It’s Thing, but something is wrong.
Too close. Far too close to the upper levels.
What has she done?
With a snarl of pure fury, I storm into the castle and wrench the door shut behind me. It takes considerable effort; the snow drift has grown substantial.
Then I descend to assess the catastrophe I was too blinded by devotion to prevent.
But even as rage consumes me, another emotion cuts deeper.
Pain.
She was supposed to be different. She was supposed to be mine. Not just my consort but my companion. My miracle.
Instead, she’s proven herself like all the rest. Taking what she wanted and abandoning me the moment my back was turned.
The betrayal burns worse than any of Creator-Father’s punishments ever did.
Because for the first time in my cursed existence, I had allowed myself to hope.
I had allowed myself to love.
And she has destroyed that precious, fragile thing as surely as if she’d torn my heart from my chest with her own small hands.
Now I understand why Creator-Father warned against such foolishness.
Love makes monsters of us all.
But if she thinks she can simply walk away from our bargain, from me, she is gravely mistaken.
I will find her.
I will bring her home.
And perhaps... perhaps I will teach her exactly what happens when someone betrays a creature like me.
The cold spreads through my chest where warmth had lived just moments before.
She wanted to see the monster?
Now she will.