34. Chapter 29
Chapter 2 9
Lillith
T he forest shows no change as we enter the area that Lexir claims as his own domain. I feel at peace as Asher and I stroll along the leafy path. A playful breeze ruffles his white hair, and I smile, heart full. After our idyllic time together, the larger quest feels distant but a bigger threat still looms over me. Should I tell him who I really am? He seems to have accepted every other part of me. Could he accept this too?
Lost in thought, I stumble over an exposed root.
Asher's steadying hand goes to my back, eyes crinkling with amusement. "Careful. As graceful as you are in battle, perhaps we should avoid outright war with the forest floor today."
I roll my eyes but squeeze his hand in wordless affection. His teasing means the world to me. It is a side only I get to see .
A child's frantic cries suddenly shatter the birdsong. "Please, help! They've taken my brother!" A young boy bursts from the underbrush, eyes wide with terror. He clutches at Asher's tunic with dirty hands. "You must help, sir! The bandits came at dawn and dragged him away!"
Asher grips the boy's shoulder, eyes grave. "Calm yourself, lad. Just point us toward these villains." His commanding, princely tone leaves no room for doubt.
I frown as we follow the child through the tangled woods. Something in his shrill voice rings false to my senses, but Asher charges heedlessly ahead, one hand on his sword hilt, ever the righteous hero. With a resigned sigh, I summon magic to my palms and trail behind them.
We trail the young boy through the dense forest until we reach a rocky outcropping dotted with dark cave mouths. The river churns nearby, but no sounds emerge from the shadowy tunnels. Unease pricks my neck.
"Stay behind me," Asher murmurs, unsheathing his sword.
I bite back a retort. Does he think me some helpless damsel? Still, his protectiveness ignites a warm glow in my chest, much as I hate to admit it.
We creep into the earthen darkness. The cavern slopes downward, the only sound our muted footfalls and dripping water .
Then, a chorus of unearthly shrieks erupts ahead. Bony hands burst from crevices, clawing and grasping. The stench of rotting flesh chokes the air. Ghouls!
"Back!" I cry, throwing up a barrier to force the fiends away.
More claw from the shadows. Asher slashes fiercely even as they overwhelm him.
A menacing chuckle echoes through the tunnel. "Enjoy my trap?" A hulking figure emerges, his right hand nothing but bone.
I scowl. Mister Rotting Hand himself. We've been expertly played, but why?
"Let the boy go!" Asher commands.
Mister Rotting Hand just sneers as more ghouls pour in. Fear lances my heart seeing Asher pinned beneath gnashing teeth.
I blast the creatures away in a rage. Several shatter completely, my fury fueling the dark magic. I rush to help Asher stand, gasping. "The boy can wait. Watch yourself first!" I twine protective magic around us.
Mister Rotting Hand grows frustrated by my shields. He sends two brutish lackeys barreling at me. Tactical but foolish. With a blast, I rip the air from their lungs and watch dispassionately as they collapse.
"Lilly, no!" Asher shouts
Fury roars in my ears. These worms had threatened us. They will suffer !
I stalk toward Mister Rotting Hand, magic roiling.
Suddenly, he cowers. "Mercy, m'lady! I only serve Lord Lexir! Someone you once served or should I say serviced, Lillith?"
I freeze. Lexir. My heart turns to ice at the name. This minor villain is in league with the powerful wizard who ruined my life? Rage and pain clash within me. I tremble with the effort to restrain my darker impulses.
Sensing weakness, Mister Rotting Hand attacks, hands glowing ominously. I brace for impact, but Asher intervenes, sword flashing. Mister Rotting Hand howls, severed hand thudding to the floor.
"You will pay for helping Lexir," Asher growls, blade leveled at the warlock's heart.
My prince will kill in cold blood for me as I would for him. What does that make us?
Mister Rotting Hand’s eyes bulge as Asher's hand clamps around his throat like a vice.
"Where is Lexir hiding?" my prince growls, tightening his grip.
The warlock gasps and chokes, face purpling.
Asher's hand begins to glow with sinister magic, pressing Mister Rotting Hand against the cavern wall. "Tell me what you know, and your end will be swift," he threatens.
Dark tendrils snake from his fingers, worming under the warlock 's skin.
Mister Rotting Hand screams hoarsely as the dark spell burrows deeper, probing his mind. Asher's eyes are merciless. His jaw is clenched with concentration as he brutally extracts the information he seeks.
At last, Mister Rotting Hand goes limp, mind broken by the agonizing assault. Asher lets his body drop carelessly.
Inside, I recoil from this ruthlessness while also admiring his willingness to use any means for our cause.
He turns to me, eyes still glowing with fell magic. "The warlock's mind revealed a lot more than I expected before his end," Asher says coldly. "Now tell me who you really are, Lillith."