How had Blythe entered him in the first place? He must have dropped his shield. But why would he do so? And how had seven-year-old Isla penetrated her mother’s shields and the Astra’s? No way he’d dropped it a second time.
Roux glowered up at her before coming up with a roar, getting in her face. “Why did I black out? What did you do to me?”
Rather than return-shout at the warlord, as part of her demanded, she held up her hands, palms out. “Let’s de-escalate a notch, soldier. I did nothing, but I now know what’s wrong with you. I even know how to fix you...kind of.” She had theories. She’d never had to do this before.
That got his attention. He rocked on his heels, easing off. “My...apologies.” He dipped his head in a show of respect. “You have answers, General?”
Okay. How to break this to him? “The woman you saw during the battle did, in fact, possess you. I can confirm that.” He tensed as she continued. “Here’s the thing. Her daughter possessed her first. Meaning, yes, you’re carrying both mom and child. Knowing Blythe, she hoped you’d whisk them to safety, where they could exit without your knowledge.”
“The little girl. Yes. I saw her. Then she disappeared, and she appeared. The woman. But I stopped. I was swinging, but I stopped. I would never hurt a child. By then, they were already gone. Then the darkness came.” Creases appeared in his brow. “If they remain inside me, why do I feel as if they’re gone?”
“They’re buried deeper. At least, that’s what my niece told me when she took over your body. No big deal. Nope!” When he opened his mouth to complain, she extended a finger. “Let your shields down, and I’ll draw them out.”
He crossed his arms over his chest. “Lower my shields for a phantom?”
“Yes. Do it willingly, or I’ll make you do it by force.” She infused her tone with steel. “One way or another, I’m getting my girls out. No, you know what? You don’t get to think about this, and you don’t get to fight it. Kneel.”
He laughed without humor. “I will not.”
“I wear your Commander’s stardust. I’m his wife and gravita. I’m Acting Harpy General, and I’m the granddaughter of Chaos. You will show me the honor owed to me. Kneel.”
He peered at her for a long while, fuming—but he also knelt.
“Good boy. This might sting a bit.” Charged with confidence and Roc’s electric energy, Taliyah pushed her spirit from her body. Cold washed over her, and she whisked to Roux, where she hovered directly in front of him.
His soul glowed as brightly as Roc’s, but cracks fractured the shell. Interesting. She stepped into his body without an obstacle in the way. He’d truly dropped his shields, as ordered.
I was born to rule. She bumped up against his soul and hissed. Ouch! Not cracks after all, but lightning zaps. Gritting her teeth, she sank deeper into his conscious.
“Blythe,” she called. “Isla. I’m here. Follow my light and reach for me. I’ll do everything else. Isla, help your mother. Blythe, you’ll both be safe, I swear it. I’m not sure what you’ve witnessed, but you have my word the Astra won’t hurt any of us.”
Finally! A cold brush against her fingertips. Taliyah clasped onto her sister and gently separated her from the Astra.
34
Three of Erebus’s kinsmen lived under Roc’s roof and protection. Harpy-phantoms filled his dungeon, the number growing daily. The non-phantoms worked with his army. He had his wife in his bed every night. He knew utter joy and the most gut-wrenching panic in equal measure. Joyous one minute, despairing the next.
Perhaps he was a drama queen.
Taliyah studied all the time, obsessed with sacrifices, the motives behind them, and the meanings. She wasn’t sleeping. Even now, she tossed and turned in his arms, his coos of comfort doing little to soothe her. He’d hoped the rescue of her sister and niece would calm her nightly terrors. Alas.
Mother and daughter had moved into Taliyah’s old room, where they’d stayed for the past two days, sleeping and recovering. The mother’s condition continued to decline. She’d attempted to eat fruit from the Tree of Skulls thrice, but even that she vomited. She needed nourishment from her consort, but he’d died during the invasion, killed by Roux.
Roc didn’t know how to help the woman. He didn’t know how to help Taliyah.
Must save her. His objective had not changed. Living with her was a drug he couldn’t quit. Roc loved seeing his wife’s things strewn everywhere. Since he’d returned the key to the Realm of the Forgotten, she’d brought her treasures over. A vast array of weapons. Clothes she hung next to his in the closet. Something called a lava lamp without actual lava. An autographed photograph of Taliyah and a human male named Jason Momoa, taken at something she called a con.