Of Darkness and Crowns (Goddess Wars 2)

One word stands out: had.

My hand clenches into a fist around the parchment. “But you no longer have that intention.”

“No,” Councilor Herna says. “We no longer have that option. Stopping Bale is our only goal at this point.”

My eyebrows raise. “I don’t see how that’s possible, Councilor. If your plan is to kill Prince Caben and force Bale into another vessel, that only prolongs the inevitable, doesn’t it?”

“Not if that vessel is you.”

This low but direct statement comes from Empress Iana. My head turns her way, my stomach bottoming out.

And then all the pieces fall into place. I see their plan clearly. Lure Caben to us, kill him, and force Bale into me. I shake my head, suppressing the desire to laugh, it’s so absurd. I don’t even know how to defeat the moon goddess once all this happens.

But what’s more, I won’t be party to ending Caben’s life.

“I won’t do it. I can’t. Any act taken where Prince Caben dies, I cannot condone.” I shake my head again, hard. “There has to be another way.

”

“Unfortunately, there’s not.” Councilor Herna retrieves the document from my hand. “And I’m afraid that you’re not being given a choice.” She beckons Whip with her hand. “We had hoped that, after you knew our dilemma, you’d step up to this challenge. You see, we all have the utmost faith in you, Protector.”

A clatter sounds from behind me, and I turn to see the rest of the Nactue filing into the room. Lilly’s face is pinched, and the rest wear similar, worried expressions. My heart rate quickens. I can almost hear them mentally telling me to run.

Councilor Herna stands. “By order of Your Empress, apprehend Kaliope Rainym.”

? 15 ?

Caben

NOW THAT THE OTHERWORLDERS have vacated the den, my blinding headache is less a mallet to the head and more a gentle tack hammer.

Upon reflection, drinking first thing this morning only to have a hangover by evening wasn’t the wisest choice. Along with Bale’s endless chatter, it’s simply too much. I rub my temples, trying to discern the dark goddess’s rambling.

“Have another drink,” Bax says. I can hear the laughter in his voice. I’m tempted to punch the self-satisfied look off his face. That is, if I didn’t think it would cost me in the end.

“Enjoy my misery, mutant. It’s the last time you will.”

Rattling causes my eyes to pinch closed as Bax climbs to his feet, his chains making an ungoddessly ruckus. “Listen to me, Prince.” And now I hear the serious undertone. “Have another drink.”

When I peek one eye open, I glimpse his wide eyes, his black pupils dilated, unblinking. For whatever reason, I reach for the bottle on my desk and pour a slosh of amber liquor into my tumbler.

Maybe it will help soothe the aching if I don’t overdrink this time. But when I take a sip, it’s like I never stopped drinking in the first place. I feel the warm buzz shoot through my system.

“Satisfied?” I ask him.

“Yes.” He steps closer, yanked back by his restraints, but close enough to whisper, “Do you hear her?”

I feel my forehead crinkle. I don’t answer right away, because suddenly, I understand. Since my second mug of ale this morning, I haven’t heard Bale. I thought she was disappointed in my display with the Otherworlders, and decided to give me the silent treatment. I remember my mother choosing this tactic when my father infuriated her.

But that’s not at all what’s happening. And Bax knows this.

“Hurry, Prince,” he says, motioning me over. “It’s a fine line between well-oiled and drunk. I need you alert. Just sip to maintain it, and the moon goddess cannot hear us. But”—he shakes his head sternly; his dreads swing—“you cannot think on what we discuss later. It will be difficult, but keep your thoughts on anything else.”

Through the fog of my alcohol-riddled brain, Bax actually makes sense. “Why don’t I just continue to drink?” It seems to be the perfect solution. I take another swallow.

A low rumble sounds from his throat. “This is no game. Keep your wits.” I’m about to tell the annoying mutant just where he can stuff his head, when he stops me cold. “Kaliope is in danger.”

A persistent feeling pushes through the haze, and I want nothing more than to help her. I shake my head. No. She’s the enemy. She will keep me from my power. As the buzz hums in my head, I realize that I at least have to hear Bax out.