Chapter 26 #2
"Ensure a handful of my soldiers make it onto Tronovian soil."
Her mouth opens and then snaps shut. She's lost for words. Her oldest daughter whispers something in her mother's ear. Astrea's eyes find mine, skepticism ripe in her face. "For what purpose?"
I tap my fingers along the rim of my helmet. "The less you know of my plans, the better. All I need you to do is escort them into the city undetected."
I can see the wheels spinning in her mind. "And for this," she says each word slowly, thoughtfully, "you will give me my daughter?"
I shake my head. "I will tell you where you can find her."
Fury ignites in her gaze. She snaps her fingers, and her guards stationed around the throne room point spears at us.
"Or you will tell me where to find my daughter now and I will permit you to leave Hydra with all your limbs still attached.
" A sinister smile appears on her face. All trepidation from moments before gone. Her viper reputation is ironclad.
I don't flinch. I anticipated her brash use of force and instructed my Soul Eaters not to react if they found themselves at the end of a Hydran spear.
"With all due respect, Your Highness," I say with a calmness that rattles the queen, "I am not someone you want for an enemy.
I killed my own father and claimed his titles.
Do you think I value your life more than his? "
"Do you not understand who I am?" Her voice deepens, dark clouds roll over the city and high winds blow through. "I control the sea and storms. I can destroy your ships without seeing them."
I snap my fingers and the guard beside Jocasta puts a knife to her throat.
"What are you doing?" Astrea screams at the guard. I clock the exact moment the queen notices her guard now has red-rimmed eyes. She whips to look at me, fear now marring her scheming face. "Soul Eaters? Bastian, what have you done?"
I shred the charming mask I donned, permitting my true-self to step into the light. "Now that we understand the lengths we are both willing to go to assert our power," I growl, "how about we quit wasting one another's time? I want my fiancé. You want your daughter. Let us help one another."
Horror fills her gaze. She was there during the Great War.
She knows what Soul Eaters are capable of and I'm confident she's not stubborn or stupid enough to believe she can win a fight against me today.
"What atrocities have you committed for Soul Eaters to be your allies?
Soul Eaters are dangerous. You mustn't give them a foothold in your life, or they will destroy you. "
Her warning falls on deaf ears. The Soul Eaters are the only ones who welcomed me for what I am without one judgmental thought or glance. Whether she wants to accept it or not, they are my family now.
"Destroy me?" I laugh. "They obey my voice. Follow my orders. I have nothing to fear."
"Until they have no more use for you." Her words pierce through me, as if she's seen inside my soul and pinpointed my greatest fear. I have always served a purpose, even to my bastard father. If I offer nothing useful, then of what value am I to anyone?
"They've lured you into a false sense of control, a false sense of security," she continues, her voice grave and ominous.
"Demons do not serve mortals, Bastian. They never have.
They never will. Had you headed our realm's history, you would understand that.
" There's hope in her eyes, as if her speech will convert me.
"Whatever you've gotten yourself into, it's not too late to save yourself. "
"Do not concern yourself with my well-being," I snap, my claws erupt from my hands, but I halt my complete transformation.
She and the members of her court gasp. "Just like you, I have no time for puffed up pleasantries.
" I stomp forward, reaching the base of the dais to stare up at her.
"You have a choice to save your heir and find your missing daughter by agreeing to my terms. Or you will watch your oldest die here and now with the promise the same fate will befall the missing one once I get my hands on her. "
Astrea straightens in her throne. Her eyes shift to Jocasta's throat.
I must give credit where credit is due. Her heir hasn't flinched nor whimpered under duress.
She's remained poised and stoic. If she survives today, I will have to watch my back.
She's the type to wait for the perfect moment to seek revenge. And I will be the object of her ire.
"With your aid or not, we will find Eris." She's grasping at straws. It invigorates me.
"Because that's worked so well for you in the past." My sarcasm strikes her like a slap to the face.
She sucks in a deep breath, trying to buy herself time to figure out how she can come out on top. But I've been a step ahead of her this entire encounter. I am not easily defeated. "If I refuse your offer?"
"Then we will find another way to rescue my fiancé, and you can continue your search for your daughter."
Jocasta braces when the Soul Eater presses the knife against her throat, a small puncture drawing blood.
"And appoint your second-born to be your heir," I say simply, prepared to give the order to slit the girl's throat if necessary.
Do I want bloodshed? No, but if that's the only way to get what I want, then so be it. I've been a monster in secret my entire life. I suppose there's no use in hiding anymore.
I will rescue Shaye no matter what it costs me.
Not just for her blood to open the portal, but because she's to be my wife and my queen.
I just need her to remember we're meant to be.
The Tronovians have brainwashed her, told her lies.
Once she sees the truth – that everything I've done is to ensure the safety and prosperity of our people – she will be mine again.
"So," I shatter the silence. Astrea's time is up. "Do we have a deal?"
Astrea flicks her eyes from the knife at Jocasta's throat to meet my gaze. Her shoulders droop. "We have a deal."