The Warlord (Rise of the Warlords 1)

The girls made tsking sounds.

Whatever. “What’s it like, working for Chaos?”

“He’s...complicated. Complex.” After lathering her hands, Aurora washed Taliyah’s hair. “He seeks power, whatever the cost.”

“Is that why he keeps you separated from Roc?”

Twila shrugged. “As acolytes, we owe our loyalty to Chaos.” The words gave off a rehearsed vibe, as if drilled into her head.

Been there. “Does Chaos deserve your loyalty?”

“I’m sorry, but we aren’t allowed to discuss our time with him.”

Silence descended as they completed their task, everyone lost in their own thoughts. Once Taliyah emerged from the bath and dried off, the sisters helped her don the ceremonial gown. An ivory beauty with a deep V, ensuring megacleavage, and a split skirt.

She strapped on every piece of her armor. The breastplate, the limb guards. The weapons belt.

Because everyone should look their sexiest on their proposed death day. She laughed, nearing hysteria again as she tugged on a pair of combat boots and sheathed a dagger at her waist.

The dagger was one of her own creations. The weapon she’d made using the firstone. She’d promised Roc a fight, to give her best. How could she give her best without a proper weapon? Something able to kill a god.

The moisture in her mouth dried. Would she truly fight him? How could she not? She’d finally found her purpose. To rule as harpy General beside the Astra Commander. The consort she loved.

Tremors racked her. “Will you guys—” Well. She was alone. When did the sisters leave?

She glanced at the cell phone her sisters had given her. It was 11:48 p.m. Almost showtime.

Ignore the tremors. Her family waited outside, forced to stand side by side with the other spectators. Chaos should be in place. Erebus, too. Grandfather and father. The rest of the Astra. Even the harpies had agreed to serve as witnesses without interfering, whatever happened. Of course, they expected her to fight and to win. The only ones missing were her harphantoms. She missed them.

Her brand heated, and she frowned. The harphantoms misted into the bedroom, rubbing their brands.

Uh, what just happened?

“You summoned?” Dove said with a cock of her brow.

I did? Dove was best known for committing harpykind’s cruelest acts on a battlefield, so she was a true role model. Taliyah had been eyeing the woman as second-in-command. Once Dove could go an hour or so without trying to murder everyone around her, she’d be perfect.

Taliyah spun in a slow circle, looking over her new army. They’d ditched the widow’s weeds and now sported proper war gear. Malice iced their expressions.

You know what? Yes. I summoned them on accidental purpose. “Here’s what is about to happen, girls.”

She explained the ceremony and Erebus’s part. Just the mention of his name earned curses, promises of violence and soul-searing aggression.

“You should get to face your tormentor, and you will. In the next ten minutes, in fact. However,” she added, “you can’t attack him until after the ceremony, no matter what happens. Do you understand?”

Hisses of assent sounded. Another glance at the clock revealed 11:51 p.m. Oops. Past showtime.

Feet suddenly as heavy as boulders, she trudged to the door and turned the knob. Hinges squeaked as she exited. The army let her pass, ghosting through the midst, then followed behind her, embodying as they marched.

Only yesterday, the palace had overflowed with immortals. Today? The rooms remained empty. Through the throne room she went. The doors to the altar, to Roc, waited ahead. Her tremors intensified. Head high. Shoulders straight.

She strode outside, a cold wind blustering, though the newest storm had passed. The trio of blue moons decorated a clear night sky, each one full and luminous. The stars around them appeared brighter than usual, as if every celestial body stared into the garden, waiting to discover what would happen next.

She paused when she reached the walkway to the altar. Her army paused with her. Roc stood in place, and her breath caught at his magnificence. He was a dark god alight with stardust. A warlord without equal. And he was looking at her as if he’d never beheld a more glorious vision.

Four of his men stood to the right, and four to the left. All Astra were shirtless, their alevala on display, wearing leathers and combat boots.

Harpies fanned out everywhere. They perched on statues and trees and crouched before bushes. Her mother, sisters, consorts-in-law and even Hades observed from the sidelines. Everyone watched her with pride. They still expected a win.

Behind the altar stood Chaos, draped in his black robe. A sullen Erebus towered next to him, shirtless like the Astra, his muscular chest dominated by a tattoo of his brother’s face. Aurora and Twila watched from behind Chaos.

Wings fluttering, Taliyah lifted her nose into the air and met each man’s stare. Erebus. Chaos. You mean nothing to me. Less than nothing.

Without saying a word, she raised a hand and motioned for the harphantoms to join the others, which they did, spreading out. They glared at Erebus all the while. No matter where or how they moved, they never veered their gazes from him.