Thirty-One
Song: Castle - Halsey (just too perfect honestly - looooove iiiittttt)
Took me over an hour to try and find who had recommended this song to me so I could dedicate this chapter to them.
I still can't find the conversation. Whoever this person is, please take a bow, I'd love to dedicate this chapter to you.
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We didn't go back to the Keep after the Bazaar like I thought we would. Instead, we went to the Lady of Anant's home where we were staying until the following day. We then would move to another city, Lybi, near the ocean to visit the Lord there, too.
It was all part of the Royal Tour to quell any fears the people may have had since rumors spread of a revolt against the crown.
Or so Asmodeus told me.
I had no idea how Kymra managed to get out of his sights for even a moment to meet me at the Bazaar that day.
I had two guards with me at all times. Robyn/Damien had two as well. None of them would let me out of their sights even when I feigned interest in something at the Bazaar to distract myself.
That wasn't even mentioning Robyn himself.
As soon as I was back with him, he would not let me go. He'd keep a hand on me at all times. At the small of my back, on my wrists or even my shoulder. It was almost as if he wanted the reassurance that I was there.
Or to make sure I knew he wasn't going anywhere.
Robyn watching me through Damien's eyes unnerved me.
And there was no mistaking that it was Robyn and not Damien.
I had to get him back somehow. I didn't believe a word Asmodeus or Julian said. Damien was alive. I knew he was. Even if I didn't have any proof.
As soon as we spectered back to the Lady's home, he had to leave.
I resisted the urge to smile when Oren appeared in the room. It was a relief to see him safe and whole with everything that happened.
He spectered and immediately took a knee in front of us. He bowed his head respectfully.
As soon as he stood, he looked at Fake Damien. "Alteazor, they are ready for you."
Damien barely glanced at him before turning to me. "I need to leave."
Tearing my gaze from Oren, I cleared my throat as I approached Damien. I had to crane my neck to look up at him. Damien was always so much taller than me. "Are you sure I can't join?"
He shook his head. His icy gaze seemed to go right through me. "Not this time. Official royal business."
I tried not to seem too eager. I didn't want him to leave my sight. I needed to find a way to save Damien. "Are you sure? Maybe there's something I can help you with?"
He smiled. "Maybe one day when you accept my marriage proposal, you can join in as well."
I felt my mouth run dry. Marriage proposal? How would I react if Damien had said something like that? What would I say?
I'd snort. Push him away. Make a comment about it happening in his wildest dreams. Dismiss the flirting.
But everything changed. I loved him. I wanted to be with him.
And Robyn knew it.
What kind of foundation had Kymra been setting? What had she said? Had they kissed? Had she let him?
As I questioned everything and Asmodeus's stupid plan- Robyn stood in front of me.
Staring.
Waiting for an answer.
I was about to open my mouth when Asmodeus interrupted. "You've rendered her mute at your latest proposal. Perhaps it is still too soon, cousin."
Robyn gave a cold half smile. His violet eyes twinkled with mischief. "Perhaps."
I felt a large warm hand on my shoulder. As soon as I saw who it belonged to I tried not to cringe. "Not to worry," Asmodeus began. "I will keep her company. Maybe we can learn the game you received today?"
Robyn nodded, "One of the servants has it." He looked at me. "I will be back before the party. Have dinner without me."
He was gone instantly along with the two guards that were standing beside him and Oren. My own guards disappeared as well out of the room until, conveniently, it was only Asmodeus and me.
As soon as we were alone I let out a long breath I didn't know I was holding.
I felt his breath on my cheek. "This is where you thank me, beloved."
I nearly jumped out of my skin at his proximity. I placed as much distance as I could between us. "Boundaries!"
He only smirked.
I groaned as I walked away from him to the window. "And what is it with you faerie men and handing out marriage proposals like they're skittles?"
This only made Asmodeus laugh. His laugh was loud and purposeful. The kind that Julian would sometimes do.
I swallowed. Julian. I hadn't thought of him in hours. How much did he know? And how did Asmodeus know that he would be out in the morning and make us think that he had gone to the Bazaar in Anant?
I looked around the room. It was elegant, much grander than Julian's with more gold and pearls on the dark black walls of the home.
There was gold everywhere, intricately decorating the fireplace, the mantel, and furniture.
Gold crawled through the walls like it was filling small cracks in the black walls.
t was much darker much in the way Vy's home had been nothing like Julian's.
We were the only ones in the room with the doors closed. Even then, not knowing who was outside the doors, I kept my voice low so that only Asmodeus could hear. "Does Julian know I'm here?"
Asmodeus shrugged. "It's only a matter of time. His sister must have told him by now."
I shook my head and walked to a window. Large sprawling gardens full of trees and ponds stretched as far as I could see. Instinctively, I placed my fingernails to my teeth and I chewed on them - it was a nervous habit that I'd never quite outgrown. "This is not a good plan." I turned to him.
Asmodeus at some point placed himself in one of the lounge chairs. He crossed his ankle over his knee as he casually lounged on it. "Stop chewing on your fingernails, that's a habit unbecoming of a queen."
"Oh," I tsked turning away from him. "Shut up."
He only chuckled. "This is the only card we can play at the moment. Julian would have gladly given his life to spare you the pain of finishing Damien off."
I rolled my eyes. "Damien isn't dead. And Julian wouldn't do anything that stupid."
It was his turn to roll his eyes. "You'd be surprised at how foolishly men behave when they're in love."
I snorted. "Julian isn't in love with me." It was the bond that we had. It had to be. He said it himself the other night - the reason we couldn't help ourselves was because our Light magic was calling to each other.
But I couldn't tell Asmodeus that.
Asmodeus laughed loudly again. "If you really believe that then you're not as smart as Damien always claimed you are."
I felt as if something heavy fell on my shoulders. "Damien spoke to you about me?"
He nodded. "Yes. For years." He sighed. "He wouldn't shut up, actually. Gave me headaches."
The news was new. He'd never told me he talked about me to anyone. I was his secret just like he was mine. "He never mentioned you," I said hesitantly.
"We've met before, actually."
I blinked.
"Yes. Not long ago. I had to meet the human girl that my cousin wouldn't stop talking about." He laughed. "He was pissed."
I crossed my arms. "You must not have made a great impression because I don't remember you. At all."
He laughed. "Just as well then. A story for another time. Right now," he stood. "There are bigger things that need to be taken care of. For example, Robyn has been proposing to you every day for the last week. The girl glamoured as you has said no to him every time."
I was floored. "What game is Robyn playing at? That is nothing like what Damien would do."
He nodded. "I agree. He hasn't been exactly careful lately either.
He's getting desperate with his plans. Whatever they are his time is running out.
He's having more secret meetings - These are all meeting that previously I would be a part of.
I was part of the council his father put together and that Robyn disbanded. Everyone is in the dark."
I swallowed.
"Whatever your plan was to get rid of him needs to happen soon."
I took a long breath. "I don't have a plan."
He gave a small laugh. "Then think of one. You are the only one that can do this. He only lets his guard down around you. He thinks you're too weak to fight him. Too na?ve to use your power against him. He is underestimating you greatly. Use that to your advantage."
Suddenly, it clicked. If what he was saying was true, Kymra would have had easy access to kill him this entire time. But she didn't.
It gave me small hope. Was Damien really still alive?
"Some other things you should know," he continued.
"Tonight's ball will be in his honor and you are his date.
As such, you will be expected to stay with him at all times.
He will expect you to dance with him and talk to lords and ladies that will be coming from every nearby region.
You might even meet one of the queens of the neighboring kingdoms."
I took a large breath. I felt the room was spinning. "Oh, gods. I'm not ready."
I felt his questioning gaze. "You could always just kill him before and you'll be spared the party." He raised an eyebrow. "The Ascension will be immediate. It will be right after his body dies. You will receive a Royal Pardon from me and all will be revealed to everyone else."
I looked at him with a deadly gaze the fury in me building. "You just want to be king - damn everything else."
He didn't move. "I'm going to be king because it is my duty.
I will clean up this mess that you made" - I felt a large sting in my heart - "along with the Usurper Robyn.
I will restore the Underworld to its former glory before Robyn let his feelings for his dead wife get the better of him.
And that is because the people of the Underworld - my people deserve it.
And I will do whatever I must to make it happen. "
I couldn't stop watching him. Despite first impressions of him, I understood his position perfectly. I remembered the bargain he made with me. "And having me will help?"
"Yes. Having the last light fae who can literally hold life in her hands will help me immensely.
" He smiled. " As for the second part of our bargain - you really shouldn't have pissed me off.
And if you try killing me to get out of it you will meet my younger sibling.
And you will know what a real treat I actually am. "
I was trapped. Utterly, completely trapped.
Somehow, Asmodeus played his cards right and I was exactly where I was needed.
I had two choices.
One - follow Asmodeus's plan - kill Robyn and finally free Damien's body and magic from his control.
Two - use whatever time I had left before Robyn took his plans into action and find a way to save Damien. Somehow. Stop Robyn without killing Damien in the process.
If he was still alive.
And he was. Something in my gut told me he was, despite the dream the night before.
And I'd be damned if I would give up so easily on the man that lost his life to save mine.
I'd pretend to give in to Asmodeus's plan - to actually believe that Damien was gone. If that was what it took to have him help me.
I huffed. The sound of which was not at all ladylike as the air blew through my lips. "Fine. Then help me buy some time until I decide to -" I couldn't even finish the sentence. I sighed. "Tell me everything you know about what Kymra has done so far."
He raised an eyebrow.
"This was your plan, right? You must know something to help me keep the ruse for a time. You wouldn't have done it otherwise. For your plan to work I need to know everything she has done so far while she pretended to be me."
He gave a small smile. "All right. Let's get to work."
[A/N]: Thank you again for your votes, your follows - everything that you do to show this story love! 3
Thank you to those who have given song suggestions! I love them all! You are all AMAZING!