Page 142 of Of Realms and Chaos

Her voice came not long after, the sound of it a haunting melody that echoed in my ears and my mind.

“Sleep.”

Every single body in the clearing collapsed, falling to the ground where they stood. When a female nearby fell, I was not ready for her armor, my gaze fixed on Asher with enough intensity to leave me unable to move.

Heavy and dense gold hit my head with a crack, and the last thing I saw was Asher’s face staring into the distance.

Chapter Forty-Seven

Asher

Everything hurt. Everything ached. Everything blurred.

And then she appeared.

Was I losing my mind now? Was that the consequence of such a gift? Did Eternity wish to punish me?

“You’re so odd. Like a bumbling little drake.” Her voice was lovely, as was her hair. So odd.

“Pink.”

“It is. Want to know a secret?” She leaned in, almost conspiratorially. Her light brown skin and rosy cheeks blocked the bodies around me from view. Unbelievably long lashes framed her glowing pink eyes, her flowing navy dress sticking to her as the rain assaulted us. “He lusts only for you, that prince. Like a devoted praising their oh-so-benevolent god. That male there, he worships you.”

She pointed towards Bellamy, whose head had been crushed into the mud by golden armor. I knew I needed to save him, to move, to do anything, but I felt rooted to the spot. Transfixed by the creature before me.

“Are you a goddess?” Asking that felt wrong, like it might upset her. Disgrace her. Annoy her.

“You’re not one of those idiots who believe in gods, are you? Eternity is above, below, and all around. We breathe it in and speak to it in our dreams. And yet you creatures wish to pray to false gods? That’s actually quite embarrassing for you.”

“I have met a god,” I muttered, shrugging at her. Were my knees shaking, or was it the ground beneath me? I wished it would stop.

“Sure you have. I think what you need is medical attention. Let me take you home, get you nice and cozy, introduce you to the big boss, and then all will be well. Come now, smelly.” She gestured for me to come, clearly eager to go wherever she considered home.

But that was not right, was it? My home was here. With Bellamy. He was my home. And they all needed me. They would drown if I did not wake them up soon. Had any fallen upon their weapons? What would I do if they were harmed? I needed help. I could not go anywhere when my focus was so vital to this moment.

“Why are you doing that? Stop it. I’m trying to preserve my magic, and you’re over here resisting your most prominent sins.” Her hand gripped my wrist, tugging me away from the mass of bodies. “Color me annoyed.”

“But you are pink.” I looked back, my words far more absentminded than normal. Bellamy needed my help. Bellamy needed me. Bellamy was too important.

“Please tell me you’re more fun when you’re not disoriented, because if not, then this is going to be a long life.”

A swirl of pink began to swarm us, her grip firm around my wrist and her face tight with obvious annoyance. It was then, when she lifted her free arm towards the glittering pink cloud, that I suddenly felt my control slink back into me. Groans came from behind us, and I peeked to see a bloody Bellamy being lifted by a smaller than normal Wrath.

“I think I will stay, actually.” My words were calm, but my body had begun to tremble, my magic weaker than normal after exerting so much, but still there and ready to fight back with all it had.

The female sighed, turning to face me with what could only be described as a vexed expression. “Must I force you? I prefer not to, and I just know he’ll use it against me if I do.” She did not sound all that opposed to it.

“Who is he?” I asked, stalling for time by allowing my curiosity free rein. Her hold on my wrist tightened, her voice dropping down lower and sounding deadlier than a sword as she spoke.

“We don’t have time for stupid questions. Now, come on.” With one last heave, she tried to drag me into the cloud of what I assumed was magic.

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No!”

“Ugh, this is ridiculous! I have killed for less! How does anyone put up with you? All I want is to finish my mission, get my creature, and be done with it all. But of course, you need to be difficult!” She rambled the words, her hand moving in time as her rage and annoyance permeated the air. “I sent that fetch to make this easier, quicker even. Ha! Some joke that was.”

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