Chapter 81
Agreat dragon with scales the color of fresh-tilled earth waited in the palace courtyard. He swung his head to Sebastian and Ciana, mossy eyes glowing in the morning light.
Ydros.
“Your compliance, Armature, is most appreciated.” The god’s voice rumbled through Sebastian’s skull.
“We will not comply,” Ciana seethed, struggling against her captors. Her feet kicked at the air, tattered dress catching around her ankles.
“You will, if it means keeping your queen alive.” The dragon lifted his head, sniffing imperiously. “You are both coming with me. Kol has made his summons; it is time.”
“Why even bother with us?”
“Because my offer to aid Kol came with a condition. There will be no unnecessary loss of life,” Ydros said. “There is no need to kill the Onitan Queen; only subdue her so Kol may assume her throne. And the two of you will be helping with that.”
“Why in Enfara would we ever help you to overthrow our queen?”
“Because the alternative, child,” Ydros rumbled, “is your queen’s death.”
The blood drained from Ciana’s cheeks.
For the first time in days, something sparked in Sebastian’s chest.
He’d failed so much. So thoroughly. He’d failed the person he’d promised he never would, even after she’d given him all the perfect pieces of herself with delicate, trusting hands.
No more. He would fail no more.
He halted in his tracks, rooting his feet to the ground. The guards gripping his arms jerked to a stop with him, giving him confused, wary glances.
Sebastian ignored them. He lifted his gaze, landing on the slitted, mossy green eyes of the god.
And murmured a single, solid word.
“No.”
He dropped into a squat, years of training taking control. The guards made a shocked noise as he wrenched free from their grip, rolling forward. He sprang to his feet, hands balled into fists, chest heaving.
He had no weapons. His hands were chained together. But he still had his body and his mind, and by the fucking gods would he use them to his last breath.
The guards formed a ring around him, metal singing as their weapons slid from their sheaths.
“You are a fool, Armature,” Ydros huffed, though his words weren’t angry. He just sounded…frustrated.
Well, Sebastian was finally angry.
“Maybe,” he said through gritted teeth. “But I will not help you betray my queen.”
He lunged for the nearest guard.
The guard stepped back, swinging his sword. Sebastian caught the steel between his shackles, twisting his wrists. The weapon wrenched from his opponent’s hands, eyes widening with shock.
Sebastian kneed him in the crotch. The man doubled over, wheezing, hitting the ground with a mewl of pain.
He turned to the next guard. His heartbeat pounded in his ears, energy vibrating down his arms.
Somewhere, he might’ve heard Ciana cry out. It might’ve pulled his attention away, just for a moment.
It was long enough for someone to dart out of the shadows. Long enough for three more guards to surround Sebastian, pushing him back to his knees.
Long enough for something to prick his neck, skin flaring as it pierced his skin.
“I told you, Armature,” Ydros rumbled. “It would’ve been easier if you had complied. But thankfully, I am prepared for all possible outcomes.”
The world grew fuzzy. Sebastian blinked, trying to clear his vision. Sounds were too loud, colors too bright. The number of people in the courtyard doubled.
“Wha—”
Ciana’s scream tearing through the courtyard was the last thing he heard before his world went black.