Page 32 of Of Realms and Chaos

Henry was not wrong; we had decided to portal any magical creature that agreed to help us straight to Bellamy. The plan was that he would remain with the military, readying for possible attacks, as well as find a place for any creatures we could convince to aid our cause.

The prince had yet to send word that any attacks beyond the one at Haven had occurred, but I had a sneaking suspicion that he would not tell me if he could help it.

Months ago, I had dreamed of a love that would be all-consuming. Having someone who cherished me beyond anything else had seemed romantic. Now, I feared what Bellamy might risk for me.

Whatever secrets he withheld on our journey to Dunamis had been important enough to involve the king, which meant time had likely been of the essence. Still, he slowed us down, giving me time to heal and, likely, also hoping I would love him like he loved me. That sort of love was dangerous. It would not only overwhelm and devour us but the entire world too. And a part of me believed that Bellamy would gladly watch it all fall if it meant I was safe.

“Is that thing behind us not a demon? Why are we walking when we could simply portal?” Wrath asked, the annoyance in his tone clear.

He leapt from my arms, his body growing in size slightly just before he stretched. I stymied a laugh when he yawned and pawed the ground, the movement so cat-like that for a moment I forgot he was a deadly creature with a taste for blood.

“The only place I am portaling you is to Eoforhild or the Underworld, you psychotic little—”

“Your first mistake, orange one, was believing that I would mind returning home to my god. Furthermore, I believe it is you who needs me. So stop your pouting and portal us to wherever you two were headed next, then explain this likely horrendously idiotic plan you have concocted.”

Now I really did laugh. Henry grunted, his arms crossing as he glared daggers at Wrath—who flashed his razor-sharp teeth in return. Suddenly, I felt as if this adventure of ours would not be quite as awful as I had first thought.

Chapter Twelve

Asher

Could a fae die from annoyance?

“Will the two of you please shut up before I rip off the rest of my ears?” I shouted, cutting off Henry and Wrath as they bickered.

Do not murder them. Do not murder them. Do not murder them.

Henry had put up his strongest mental shields, but I was not above shattering them if need be. Something—anything—to get them to stop.

“Perhaps if we simply got rid of the spare, our journey would be far easier,” Wrath said, his voice calm despite the haunting fury within his words.

Henry bristled, his Sun magic lighting up his hands—the color of it blinding in its intensity. A deep growl crawled its way up Wrath’s throat, the dalistori challenging the demon.

Absolutely ridiculous, the both of them. Briefly, I wondered how far I could get on my own, but that thought was quickly squashed by the glaring fact that I was in no way capable of doing any of this alone.

“Do not think I will hesitate to cook you, kitty.” Henry stood, his fists clenched so tightly they shook with the force. Oh, what I would give for the peace and quiet I had in The Capital. Why I had once loathed such a thing was beyond me.

“Do not think I will hesitate to eat you raw, mortal.”

I watched on as Wrath’s form grew, a warning to Henry of the danger he was in. Pumpkin’s anger was so prominent that veins began to bulge in his head, his freckled face burning scarlet. If they were not so irritating, I might have laughed.

“I am no mortal, you overgrown rat!” Now he was screaming. Why must he scream?

Rolling over on the bed, I brought the quilt over my head and pressed out my power. Everyone was listening, quite literally the entirety of the inn. These walls were far too thin and my temper far too short for this.

“When you stand next to a deathless being such as myself, then you are a mortal in comparison, fool.”

That was it.

I took my foot and promptly kicked Wrath, sending him flying into Henry. They collided with a loud smack, the two of them falling to the floor in a tangled heap. With a rage that turned my vision red, I tossed the quilt to the side and flung myself off the bed.

“How dare you!” Wrath hissed.

Not in the mood to hear either of their voices, I latched onto their minds. I had quickly learned that Wrath’s consciousness was there in that hollow space, even if it did not feel as though it was. Like the afriktor, I could not manipulate him in quite the same way I could a fae or a demon.

Unfortunately for him, I was a quick study. I threw my power into them both, letting it shove its way to what nearly felt like their souls. Bodies seizing, the two looked at me with horror.

“I said, shut up!”

---