Of Darkness and Crowns (Goddess Wars 2)

You never truly meant to keep your promise to me, Bale. I’ve kept more than my share of promises to you. You could spare her life—she’s no longer a threat. Not now.

As long as she lives, she will always remain a threat.

Then the pain fissures out, splintering through me with white-hot flames. I’m lost to it.

The rest is dark.

? 28 ?

Kaliope

“IF WE’RE TOO LATE…no one goes near Caben.”

Those are my first words as we enter the mouth of the Otherworld.

The members of our party all glance away, shifting their gaze from me, as we move deeper underground.

Lilly, Kaide, Lena, Whip, Kai, Bax, and Aurelia. This is the force the dark goddess has to reckon with. The lone group of eight—including me—who will fight our way through, with a quick-hatched plan, to stop Bale’s ascension.

At the treehouse, Lake was designated Councilor Teagan’s watch guard and ordered to hold her there. Not that I think either one of them will follow an order from me, but it was the best, or rather only, solution as to what to do with them.

I struggled on whether to leave Aurelia…but in the end, I could only assure her safety with us.

On our way here, I did try to come up with a motivational speech. Something brave and courageous, a speech that would lift our spirits and inspire us into the belly of the beast. Something that made the never-coming-back-out-again less…grim.

I wanted to give that speech, but the words never came. For some reason, I feel I’m still the one elected to give speeches and orders. Maybe it’s my status—my former status—as the Nactue leader. It still holds some weight. Or it may be because I’m the one who made the calls and hard choices during the Cage fights with the contenders. Regardless of what it is, I’ve remained the one my friends and allies follow.

But my honorable nomination is eclipsed by my threat just now; no one is to kill Caben if anything goes wrong.

During the first part of the war, I took this nomination with pride. I had to—to ensure Caben’s life. And I accepted a leadership role for his kingdom, because I made a promise to him. But now, it doesn’t quite ring true.

None of the decisions I’ve made since becoming the Nactue leader have benefited anyone. Anyone other than the lunatic goddess, that is. So I’d be more than relieved if someone else were to step up and offer some words of fortitude.

I’m tired of letting people down.

Not surprisingly, the person who does step up is the only one of us who offered any kind of plan. Ironically, the only one of us declared unsuitable to do so. Caben’s mentally unstable mother, Aurelia.

She walks up beside me and reaches into the breast pocket of her shirt. “My son will sleep soon,” she says, handing me a vial of off-yellow solution and a syringe. “Put him to sleep.” She smiles, and my gut twists.

With unsteady hands, I accept both the vial and syringe. My palms are slick with sweat and the rest of me feels just as clammy. I may hate this plan with every fiber of my being, but it’s the only one we have.

I plunge the syringe into the vial and fill it. All the while, unable not to think of that terrible night my own father stuck me with a syringe of mercury. I don’t miss the unnerving connection Caben and I share yet again. As if we’re living each other’s lives, only in reverse.

Tucking the syringe into the side pouch of my harness, I watch as the Nactue check their swords and weapons in preparation. Kaide and Lena are the only ones who didn’t pray before we entered the Otherworld. The rest made their avowals to their goddesses. Mine, departing words to my mother and father. My appreciation of her and my forgiveness of him, and getting in return no confirmation of his love, but acceptance.

Some things have to be good enough.

Out of habit, I reach for Caben’s ring that’s been resting near my heart for months. My stomach sinks when I don’t find it there. It would have been comforting to touch it one last time.

Just outside the entrance, miles above us now, dozens of Cury-crafts scatter the barren landscape. There are so many, I suspect even the king of Laryn has called his army to join forces in what the rulers must deem the final battle of this war.

And it might very well be. If either they or we succeed.

Had Caben not returned to the Otherworld, Bale might’ve stood a greater chance at victory. His most operative move during this war has been to keep moving, keep hidden, just out of reach. Now, he’s localized himself to one place, with virtually little chance of escaping past the invincible numbers stationed here to fight.

One way or the other, there will be an ending to this madness. It’s just unknown if another madness will rise up in its place.

We’re close now. I can feel it. I stop for a second while the others walk ahead. Squatting down, I scoop a handful of black dirt into my hand. Rubbing my palms together, maybe for the last time, I perform my ritual. When I stand, Bax steps before me, a hard line between his brows.