CHAPTER 23

NADIR

THE EVANESCENCE

Ipace the length of my room, feeling like a wild animal tethered inside a cage. I can’t tell how long I’ve been up here, but it feels like it’s been months. I’m invited to dinner every night while Zerra makes lewd comments loaded with innuendos. She seems convinced that because this King Herric was her lover, I, too, will succumb to her advances. In fact, I get the unsettling sense she thinks I’ll replace whatever role he once played in her life.

I’ve been doing my best to play nice during our dinners, attempting to lull her into a false sense of security. She’s revealed a few things as a result. Like the fact she sent Lor on a mission to retrieve the ark of Alluvion.

But that information only adds to my confusion. Why would Lor agree to that? I’m not sure I even believe it. If Lor had the choice, she would have gone to find Willow and Tristan. Unless Zerra is holding something over her. I wonder if it might have something to do with me, but Zerra doesn’t seem inclined to ever let me out of here.

I also get the sense she doesn’t like Lor, thanks to a regular stream of underhanded comments that make me see red, but I can’t begin to figure out why. What could Lor have possibly done to make Zerra dislike her so much?

Beyond that, I’ve learned a bit more about the Empyrium and my ancestor, King Herric, who was indeed the first king of the Second Age, but something happened to him that Zerra hasn’t yet revealed. It does seem clear that he hurt her, but given the way she’s treated me, I’m not all that inclined to feel much sympathy. Something tells me I would have sided with him.

The “wedding” is coming up, and it’s imperative I get out of here before then. Not only does the idea make my skin crawl, but she’s made it clear that once it takes place, she’ll be coming for my . . . body. I shudder at the idea of becoming like one of her servants who move about this place like soulless ghosts, trapped here forever.

I rub my chest and the constant ache that blooms behind my ribs. I miss Lor like I miss air. I want to hold her in my arms and bury my nose in the scent of her hair. Inhale that combination of roses and lightning that always makes me feel like I’ve come home. I miss her skin and those eyes that see me in a way no one else ever has. I miss that mouth and her sarcasm, and I’d give anything to have her yell at me right now.