Verena #3
Plus, I genuinely have no idea how I could ever choose between my ethereal confidante and my rugged Viking-like protector.
The thought of never seeing either of them again is making it really hard to articulate a fitting goodbye.
I clear my throat. "Hey Thor, does this whole pledge thing still hold up when I'm gone?"
He nods once, but gives no details.
"In that case, help Eris find his body and escape the mirror realm. Then just forget I was ever here, okay? Go live a good life doing whatever it is you want to do, and… I'm sorry again for feeding on you."
Wulf's gaze burns like dry ice. "I only wish you sated yourself with me more."
Ditto.
Self-control was the right choice, but I know I'll be whipping out my vibrator back home to thoughts of this dreamboat for a long time.
Both of these dreamboats, actually.
Ignoring how warm my face feels, I meet Eris's gaze in the reflection of Wulf's axe.
"So…I guess this is goodbye."
"It doesn't have to be. Stay," the iridescent model says so quietly I almost don't hear him over the sound of the waterfall. "Even just a little longer, please stay."
I swallow. "I know it might seem like I'm breaking our agreement, but Wulf is going to help you escape the—"
"Escape seems hollow to me now, if you are no longer on the other side of this glass."
That's just how he's feeling in this moment. It'll pass. I've only been in this world a short time, so I'm sure Wulf and Eris will both move on quickly once I'm gone.
Hopefully Snow White and the others will, too.
It's weird. I don't belong here, but I get the strongest feeling I'll always wonder how these fairytale characters are doing in this strange, distant world.
"I'll miss you, too. A lot," I admit before I take a deep breath and turn back to the faerie in the cage. "Okay. I'm ready. Beam me up, Scotty."
"Scotty?" Malivant repeats, insulted. "How is it even possible that you still have not retained my name in your nebulous memory?"
"Relax. I just mean I'm ready for you to send my soul back to my world."
He makes an impartial sound. "Perhaps I would, if I knew how."
…what?
No. This isn't happening.
Anger is already crawling into my veins at the suggestion that I've been had.
I try to keep cool as I make a sound like a wrong answer buzzer. "Let's try that again. You do know how, and you absolutely fucking will, because you told Eris that you could send me back if I freed you."
"Is that what I said? Evidently, I lied," Wrath drawls without one iota of shame.
Another whooshing sound in the cage sends air sweeping over me, stirring loose strands of my hair. Several red-tipped black feathers and dead rose petals go airborne before they sink slowly, just like all my hope.
"I possess no ability to send souls to other realms, nor do the other faeries," he says. "I doubt even the Crones themselves hold such a grand power. However you came to be here, your soul will not leave easily."
Eris swears softly—but when I glance at him, I realize he's not mad on my behalf.
He's relieved.
That only pisses me off further.
But the worst part is, I feel so stupid.
Stupid for falling for this faerie's trick. Stupid for not remembering how I ended up in this world in the first place. And royally stupid for befriending Eris when that beautiful dickhead told me from the start that he had ulterior motives.
As usual, I'm the only person I can rely on. The only person who can keep me safe.
Frustration and anger mount quickly inside me, intensifying and solidifying into—
"Such striking wrath." Where Malivant seemed bored a moment ago, now he sounds fascinated.
"Certainly more satisfying than that lost soul's pitiful display.
I wonder what great suffering in your past refined your rage to such a delectable depth.
Only the wrath of the greatly wronged can develop into something so rare. "
"You would know, since you're an expert at greatly wronging people," I seethe. "Was torturing me in the queen's place just not enough? You had to use me and lie to me, too? You selfish, opportunistic son of a bitch."
"Spare me the melodrama. Falling for a fib is a small price to pay in exchange for having a faerie as an ally. At least now, you might have my aid in a pinch, should I be in the mood. All you must do is speak my name aloud—assuming you manage to remember it."
Oh, my god.
It takes a lot for me to hate someone, but I officially hate Malivant. I really, really hate him.
This powerful faerie could probably turn me into a toad or something, but I don't care.
"I'm never saying your fuckass name ever again," I snap. "Fuck having you as an ally, fuck your aid, and fuck you, too."
"I see your vocabulary is nearly as impressive as your gullibility. No matter. As alluring as your wrath may be, I have things to attend to before I might offer any aid."
Before I can cuss the faerie out any further, a blast of air makes me raise my hands protectively over my face.
A second later, I'm left swatting loose feathers out of the air and scowling at a now perfectly empty cage, Wrath long gone with the shadows.