Chapter 42 Anastasius
I wasn’t sure what was going on between Claeg and I. We were always so hot and cold, our obsession a blazing need that dashed into broken embers when we got too close. All I knew was that I wouldn’t stop fighting for him. The gods had entwined our paths for a reason. It couldn’t be chance. Not now, when I was preparing to become De Vita.
Claeg and I returned to find Rohit standing by the hearth, his back to us. His knuckles were clenched so tightly they were white and the rigidness between his shoulders. “Rohit?” I closed the distance between us with a few fast steps. At the sound of my voice, he tensed further. My stomach churned. Slowly, he turned to face me, revealing a bruised, swollen eye and split lip. “What the fuck happened to you?” I hissed, anger rolling through me. My heart twisted at the thought of his suffering. My friend glanced behind me at Claeg. “You can trust him,” I assured him, but he gave me a look that said he wasn’t certain about that. Regardless, he trusted me, choosing to speak.
“My sister…” He turned away, cheeks flaming to match his hair. The implication was clear.
“Oriana did this to you?! I'll sa—”
Rohit quickly cut me off. “Your father is displeased.” He had borne the consequences of my actions, yet he still worried for me. I looked at Claeg. My Selected was lounging on the bed, watching us curiously.
“I had to do it. Eleos…” I bit my lip, rage boiling in the pit of my stomach. I couldn’t turn my back for a moment without someone I cared about being hurt by my father. First Ercan, then Claeg, and now Rohit... “I have to go see my father. Stay with him?” I gestured towards Claeg, who made a displeased face but didn’t comment. His words haunted me: I am a puppet in chains. Was I just another chain for him?
“Of course. Go,” he replied flatly. I mumbled a thank-you before using the balcony to shift.
I dragged myself to the top of the mesa where my father was waiting. Dread made every beat of my wings harder. Still, I moved at a crawl. I should’ve known he wouldn’t let me indulge in my desires while indebted to him. With Odon... There would be consequences for any behavior he deemed an infraction.
I flew to my destination, each flap of my wings filling me with dread. The sight below me made my heart skip a few beats. Father stood with Calian and Hariasa at his back, both of them armed and wearing menacing expressions. But between them stood Odon, without a weapon, clad in a majestic green tunic. It wasn't dissimilar to the one Claeg had torn off me. I wore it now, having used magic to mend it. That crown of teeth lay above his lowered brow. I swallowed a mouthful of fear. While Calian and Hariasa were strong, it was my father’s smug expression of presumed dominance that sent chills down my spine.
I glared and dropped to the ground before them. For a moment, I held on to my draconis, feeling less vulnerable in this form, but eventually I had to relent.
Father smirked at me. “Foolish boy. You dare defy me with such blatant disrespect?” He clenched his fists and spat at my feet. I winced.
My hands went to the crystal containing magic around my neck. I twisted it around, the power enticing to wield. I could use it to escape. Leave and take Claeg, Rohit, and Ercan with me. Go to Eikonia. The land of magic, where Hen was from. When my father threatened to Save her, I freed her. Perhaps she had returned. Hopefully that was why none of the scouting parties could find her, but a nagging thought pulled at my mind—maybe she was in the hands of the Circulus. She had always found their ideology intriguing. The thought should have been unsettling, but after meeting Claeg… What would they do with her power? Would she offer them the same deal she had to my father? A favor for magical knowledge. It was supposed to be a simple trade.
“You will bed her before tomorrow,” he demanded, making my heart sink. I swallowed.
“And if I don't?” I lifted my head high. He snorted.
“You will regret that choice.” He shrugged. “You and your Eleos.” The way he spat the name made the base of my spine chill and stiffen. He hadn't mentioned the fledgling. Had the Circulus already revealed who Claeg was before his death?
“You won’t touch him,” I growled back just before he went to unsheath his draconis. Father turned back toward me with a raised eyebrow.
“And I suppose you are going to stop me with your weak-willed heart?” Odon sneered, and I swallowed. He held my eye for a moment before turning away with a dark chuckle. Odon shifted, letting out a ghost of a flame on his breath. His tail lashed the air like a whip. I ground my teeth, clinging to my form with everything I could.
Father’s time needed to end. Quickly.