Chapter 41 Samkiel
SAMKIEL
“Why do you look like me?” I snarled, trying to block the nearly unbearable pain of what I’d just lost.
“This?” He pulled the flared lapel forward and looked down at the intricate purple designs embroidered onto the fabric.
“This is what you are, who you are, and what really passed through my gates. Or at least what your father tried to hinder.” Without bending or straining, he stood in one solid, impossible motion.
One moment he was sitting, the next he was on his feet.
“You know, out of all the brothers, I did not think you’d be the worst.”
I stood, one foot in front of the other, and my body angled for an attack. “Who are you?” I demanded. I knew it, but I needed him to say it, speak it out loud, and give me hope.
His smile was ancient. “You already know my name. I’ve been with you on every bloodsoaked battlefield.
I’ve lived in your shadow every time you raised a blade.
You’ve begged me to take you on nights when memories screamed too loud on the shards of your former home.
You and I have danced around each other for a very long time, and when you finally arrived in my kingdom, and I had the chance to claim your crown, she stole it from me. ”
He waved a hand, gesturing behind me, but I could not look at her remains again.
I refused to accept the reality of her loss, especially with this being toying with me.
He was here for a reason, and he wanted something.
I would make him give her back to me, and if he didn’t, he would regret it.
My rage erupted, and the wind howled around us.
Outside, the pressure dropped as a hurricane formed above the cavern, the elements responding to the anguish of my grief.
“Bring her back,” I snarled.
“Technically,” Death held up a cold finger, “she, or should I say, they, haven’t even left this room. Think of it as a nap. A stasis I control. If we cannot come to an agreement, I will make it permanent.”
I blinked. My heart stuttered at his admission. She wasn’t dead, not entirely. Not yet, at least.
“I thought nothing could survive Oblivion,” I gritted out between clenched teeth, my rage building that he would dare barter with her life.
“You truly think a god has more power over death than I? I am Death.”
With a flick of my ring, an ablaze weapon formed in my hand.
Deftly, I spun it on my palm, flipping the dagger so the blade rested against my wrist. Only a fool would do what I did next, but when it came to Dianna, I was just that.
I lurched forward and grabbed the back of Death’s head, pressing the burning metal to his throat.
He only smiled as he eyed me. “There he is. All that peace melts away when it’s Dianna who is threatened.
I know your soul, Samkiel. I know what lurks beneath that skin and why Dianna is such a comfort to you.
Your father feared it so deeply that he crafted a ring to contain it.
Here, you wielded it without hesitation, and it could cost you greatly.
You have always been heralded as a bastion of goodness, righteousness, and nobility, your resolve as enduring as any steel blade.
However, with the right pressure, even steel can be broken.
When that happens, I fear for those who stand in your way. ”
I pressed my blade harder to his throat, tipping his chin. It was so odd to stare into my own face, to see Oblivion swirl around my shoulders and know it was not under my control.
“Bring her back, or I will use it on you.”
Death flashed his teeth in a damning smirk. “Roccurem was right about you two and the desperate love between you. They should have tried harder to keep the two of you apart. You really could not live without her, could you? The great and powerful Samkiel has fallen to a mere woman.”
“Dianna is more than that to me, and you know it. You brought me back because of her. Now, do it again. Take my soul if you must, but bring her back.”
“She is my favorite part of the universe,” Death said, his arrogant smirk never wavering.
“Watch what you say,” I damn near growled.
“Do you want to know why?” Death asked, fearlessly leaning hard on my blade. “Because she makes you controllable. Like a hound come to heel, you will do what I wish without hesitation.”
I stare at him, my jaw clenching. I could continue to rage, but the cold, hard truth was that Death had power over me.
No matter my strength, or gods, even Oblivion, I could not resurrect the dead.
My worst nightmare had finally come to life.
I glanced at the ash-covered floor where she’d stood, and my chest heaved.
I lowered my dagger, and with all the willpower I had, I called it back.
“What do you want?” I asked, my words short and clipped.
“I need them, and I can’t have you constantly disrupting my plans. So either they all live, or they all die. The choice is yours, none other. This is my gift to you,” he said, brushing a stray piece of ash from my shirt.
“Gift?” I snarled. “You tie the love of my life to them and expect me to do what? Be grateful?”
“No, but I expect you, like your brother, to do what I ask.”
I gripped the front of his shirt and pulled his face to mine, ignoring the disorientation of staring into my own eyes. “If you don’t bring her back to me, there will be nothing stopping me from finding a way to destroy you,” I growled.
Death chuckled, shaking his head. “Such hubris. All you gods are the same. Thinking you have power over me and my kin. It’s bothersome.
Do you know how you’ll die, oh noble son of Unir?
Your true death? I do. I’ve seen Dianna’s as well.
What you two will live for, die for. It’s not here, but it can be.
” I growled, furious that he dared speak her name, but Death did not fear me.
Instead, he smiled, his serrated teeth visible beneath his translucent skin.
Even without his power, his solid black eyes proved he was a formless one spawned from the edge of time.
Death knew he had me by the balls, and I could do nothing about it. As long as she lived, so would they. He knew what I would choose.
I shook my head and pushed him away from me. “You are cruel to tie them to her.”
“Cruel or intelligent?”
If looks could kill, Death would have an even bigger dagger through his skull.
Completely unconcerned, Death rocked back on his heels, his hands buried in his pockets. “It is the perfect plan. If you kill them, she dies, and we both know you would never hurt your precious akrai.”
My shoulders slumped in defeat as I turned towards that ashen pile where my heart and soul once stood.
He was right. Gods above, he was right. I’d turn my blade on myself if it meant saving Dianna.
Burn worlds to ash if they threatened her.
Gods, I had taken heads off in her name for hurting her before we were ever together.
It was more than love I harbored for her.
She was my everything. I knew no limits when it came to her.
“To what end?” I asked, my gaze flicking back to him.
He wagged a finger at me. “Now you’re asking the right questions. There is a witch carrying a medallion that your sister is desperately hunting. The one protecting her is very good at hiding her. So much so that I cannot find them, but I think all of you working together shall.”
“And why would I want to do that? Any of us?”
“Because that medallion she has is nothing to be trifled with, and if your sister gets hold of it, it could open these realms to wars on a galactic scale. The death toll would be immeasurable.”
I took a shuddering breath. “And that’s all you want? Then she will be free?”
Death shrugged one shoulder. “More or less.”
“What does that mean?” I all but snarled.
“There is an old mortal saying I have heard men speak to themselves, one I like.” Death smiled, his jagged teeth visible beneath his translucent skin. “Those who seek vengeance should dig two graves. In your case, I’d make it three. Find that medallion or get to digging.”
My lungs seized up, everything in me repudiating her tie to the man who had nearly destroyed her, but I knew I had no choice.
“And how would I find it?” I asked through gritted teeth.
Death checked his nails once before saying, “I’d start with the Otherworld.”
A swirling, dark mass erupted in the room, screaming as it circulated.
I ducked, covering my head as the room rushed with it, chairs, tables, and pages spinning about in a small vortex.
As quickly as it started, it stopped. I glanced up at the sunlight spilling in from the uncracked window.
Time restarted, and the eatery stood as if we had never fought in it.
I spun, desperate hope filled me as ashes rebuilt into flesh and bone.
My eyes landed on Dianna as she took a gasp of air.
I lunged for her, locking her arms to her sides and holding her tight.
Our bond screamed back into existence. It flared wide and filled my chest, heat returning to my heart, my veins, my very soul.
Her hands wrapped around me, and I damn near sobbed. She pulled back and gazed up at me, blinking. “What happened?”
“Me,” Death said from behind us, and we both turned. Dianna’s hand fisted in my sleeve as she beheld him wearing my skin. Death smirked at her, but didn’t say anything before turning to Isaiah and Kaden. Kaden swallowed and absently rubbed his throat.
“You asked me what your purpose was for being back? Now you know a fraction of it. If you die, then your brother and the woman you love die with you. Permanently.” Death flashed a smile as Kaden’s throat bobbed. “And both you and I know that’s a fate worse than death to you.”
Death turned back to me. “Take care of each other and find the medallion, or the next time we meet, I’ll drag your bride past the veil. Trust me, god king. I rule my kingdom, and you will never see her again.”
My heart thudded, splintering with each beat.
I wanted to end him, but he had me, and he knew it.
I’d never risk her. He’d compared me to a hound, and I was.
I’d do the unimaginable to keep Dianna. If Death asked me to end the very universe for her, I would, and his smile told me he knew that as well.
His form changed, collapsing into himself as a bird made of midnight feathers and opaque eyes cawed.
It flew past us and out the door, leaving us staring at each other.