Chapter 42
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
Seraphina
So far, this stupid mountain was a bust. Not even a dragon or hidden treasure. Sure, there were creatures, bats almost as big as my torso and other creepy crawlers. They didn’t attack, just eyed us cautiously as we passed them by.
“We’ve been under this fucking mountain for a decade,” I complained for the tenth time. “And I don’t feel any different.”
“You can feel it, though, can’t you?” Dev asked quietly. “We’re getting close.”
I huffed in irritation. He wasn’t wrong. There was something down here. We were definitely going down, and it was warmer, not colder like I expected.
“Let’s play another round of twenty questions,” Levi chimed in too enthusiastically. “Whoever wins gets to suck my dick.”
A laugh escaped my lips before I could stop it. “How about whoever wins gets to eat me out?”
Ty’s muscular arms lifted me off the ground in one effortless sweep. “I don’t need to win a game to do that, pet. Your delectable cunt belongs to me.”
Desire pulsed through my body at his words. “I need orgasms. Can we find somewhere for a quickie?”
A tremor suddenly flooded the tunnel, the mountain shaking around us. We stopped, waiting, Ty still holding me tightly in his arms. A soft blue light glowed in the distance, too far to make out what it was, but the light was most definitely new.
I shoved off Ty, walking toward Andras and Phen at the front. Both men stood with arms crossed, staring down the tunnel. “Well, seems like we should check it out?”
Andras nodded curtly. He was, for maybe the second time in his life, not wearing a suit. My dark prince wore simple cotton blend navy pants, a long-sleeved crewneck shirt, and boots. Still hot as hell, but more practical for wartimes.
The others were in similar attire, dressed for battle. Because at some point, we’d be joining the others on the field. And I hoped to the gods we wouldn’t be too late. Michaela was still alive. Phen said he could sense Morax, and I was certain if she were fatally wounded, I’d feel that, too.
Taking Andras and Phen’s hands in mine, I pulled them forward, Levi, Dev, and Ty following close behind. We needed to get this soul-searching shit over with.
When we finally made it to the blue light, the tunnel came to an abrupt end and stone steps led down into a massive open cavern. The blue light came from a body of water. The how wasn’t readily apparent, but the water was definitely glowing a soft, silvery blue, similar to my hair color.
“Where is the light coming from?” Levi whispered, awe in his voice.
Steam rose from the water, and I itched to submerge my tired limbs in the pool. “Think it’s safe?”
Phen snorted. “Probably not. But won’t know until we test it out, eh?” He winked at me.
Andras held fast to my hand, though, not letting Phen pull us closer to the tempting hot spring.
“Perhaps we look around a bit and study our surroundings, hmm?” he said, squeezing my hand tightly when I rolled my eyes.
“And remember that most who have ventured beneath this mountain never escape it.”
My shoulders dropped. “Why do you always have to ruin the fun?”
The words barely left my mouth before Andras grabbed my throat and shoved my body against the nearest cavern wall.
The rock bit into my skin, and he squeezed my neck, cutting off my ability to speak.
“Sweetheart, I will allow that sass because you are tiring, but snark at me again, and you will be punished.”
I grinned. “Well joke’s on you, because I love to be punished.”
Andras grabbed my wrist with his other hand, bringing my arm up over my head and pressing his body against me. He pinned my hand against the sharp, rocky wall, and I hissed when it cut into my flesh. Several drops of blood dripped to the ground, and another tremor raced through the mountain.
The others gathered near us, and we waited for it to subside, but this time, it only grew. The air became thick with magic. I knew the guys could feel the electric charge in the air just as I did.
We watched warily as something rose from the center of the pool. The water moved as if it were alive, swirling and bending until the shape of a woman’s curvy body floated just above the center of the pool.
“The royal blood summons,” the water spoke, the voice echoing around the cave.
“Okay then. What now?” Levi whispered on my left. No one responded. We waited for whatever this was to continue. And it did. The creature began to hum, chanting a rhyme.
Those who come to seek what’s mine,
Their darkest shame they soon will find.
To mend the bonds that once were broken,
Their souls must offer that which is unspoken.
I absorbed the words, taking in their meaning. “So. Spill your dirty little secrets to the creepy water thing and then we can leave?”
Andras sighed. “I doubt it will be so easy.” At his words, the water woman continued.
A goddess of this earthly plane
Requires only your deepest pain.
Submerge your souls beneath my depths,
If they be false, we shall claim your every breath.
“And there it is.” Phen rolled his eyes. “Lots of naughty souls in that water, I’ll bet.”
Andras frowned. “It’s not just those who are naughty, Phenex. You must give your greatest shame, your deepest pain, as an offering. If that offering proves to be unworthy, you won’t come back out of the pool.”
“Water is a wicked power.” Phen nodded in agreement. “I bet it will know if you try to offer up something less than that.”
“Which explains why so many creatures fail,” Dev added. “It’s not easy to face something you fear the most. Something you never want to see the light of day.”
“We all know you love sucking cock, Dev. It’s not a secret anymore.” Levi punched Dev’s shoulder playfully.
A smirk played at the corners of my mouth. “Well, we’ve come this far. No point turning back now.” I began undressing, and my princes did the same.
Holding hands and moving as one, we descended the uneven steps leading into the water. It was blessedly warm and instantly soothed my muscles. The smell of dewy grass and lavender reached my nose. I inhaled deeply, trying to relax, but that was proving to be difficult.
What was my darkest shame? I’d killed many people, bad people, over the years, and didn’t feel sorry about it. Perhaps it was the death of Leona’s baby sister? Guilt still gnawed at me for that. But no, it didn’t feel like that was it. Would the water know and show me?
Dozens of questions buzzed through my head.
When the six of us were neck deep in the water, I sucked in a breath.
The mate bond hummed within me, not fully connected, but I could feel my princes just enough to make me ache for more.
By the looks on their faces, I could see they could feel the connection too.
“I’m guessing that is purposeful,” I mused. “So we can feel each other when the big bad secrets come out.”
Typhon nodded. “No hiding. No more secrets between us.”
“Here we fucking go.” I shrugged and sucked in a breath, dipping below the surface.
A scream rocketed through my mind, and suddenly, I was back in the manor where the Obscuritas Kings held my sister and me captive. I floated above the scene like a ghost, observing. Joseph Bronwen, my father in name but not in blood, was on his knees before me, and I was about to kill him.
Whispers filled my head as I watched.
What did you feel the moment you knew you had to murder your father?
He wasn’t my father.
Pain seared through my chest. Wrong answer.
What did you feel the moment you knew you had to murder your father?
Mad.
The pain increased. And I knew my body was drowning back in the pool.
What did you feel the moment you knew you had to murder your father?
This was my greatest shame. Because I wasn’t sad, or even sorry. I was mad. But not just mad that I had to do it.
I was mad that he left me behind. Even then, when I knew he had to do it. I wanted someone to pick me. But he didn’t. And when I stabbed him, I wasn’t sorry. I…wanted to do it. I wanted him to be alone and afraid. And the last thing he saw was me, smiling.
The pain subsided, and even in the water, I could feel the tears burning my eyes. I was the worst fucking person in the world. The worst daughter.
We accept.