Page 55 of Of Realms and Chaos

If only it were that easy.

“That’s quite the bleak turn your thoughts took. Is there a reason you’re so upset?” he inquired, one of his purple brows raising. His eyes were still a bright white as they assessed me, practically glowing. I began walking away from him, heading in no particular direction seeing as the never-ending space appeared to act as a sort of prison.

“Do you not already know? It seems like you have more access to the mind than I do.” At that, I froze, even my breathing halting momentarily. The mind. Padon had manipulation powers—magic—whatever it was, he had it too. “You are like me.”

That terrifying and infuriating laugh came again, the sound like a beacon, trying to grab me and pull me into him. I wanted to hate this creature, if only for the things he said about Bellamy.

“Unfortunately, I don’t have the same magic you do. What you possess is something else entirely. I can wait for you to open yourself to me, for your magic to call to me and then answer. The reason I know what you’re thinking is because you’re practically speaking those thoughts into my mind. You are in control here. Mostly.”

I shook my head, as if I could empty it of those words. I had not called to him. There was no way I could seek out what I did not know or understand.

“Perhaps if you spent less time stalking females who want nothing to do with you, then you would be able to come up with a more convincing lie.” It was an immature thing to say, like a youngling stomping their foot and insulting someone to get a rise from them. Even worse was that it only seemed to encourage the creature.

“You have such an addictive presence, has anyone ever told you that? I feel as if I could spend an eternity with you and it would still never be enough.” His cool breath hit my ear as he spoke, the feeling causing goosebumps to rise on my skin. “I fear that no food or water will ever satisfy me again now that I have tasted the air which you breathe.”

Scoffing at his obsessive behavior, I stepped away from his body, resisting the gravity of it that attempted to force me to him. He had far more control than he was willing to admit, and we both knew it.

“What do you want me for? A slave? A whore? Is that why you hate Bellamy so much?” My questions were pointed, full of building rage and dread that threatened to swallow me whole. Not that I would balk from living in a chasm of misery when my own mind seemed to be just as horrifying.

“You are no one’s whore. Don’t ever say that again.” The threat in his voice was obvious, a source of tension I had not realized was there before. Did he care about me? “Of course I do, you foolish female. I care more than any other living being, including your prince who you seem so set on loving. I can sense your apprehension with him, the lies you know he tells and the secrets you know he keeps. Despite that, you don’t even attempt to find answers. It’s a pity and a waste of your potential.”

Red-hot fury filled me, and suddenly, I was facing him, my fist swinging. But he dodged my blow easily, moving just out of reach before grabbing onto my hand. Without thinking about the consequences, I dove into his mind, seeking a foothold as I ripped my fingers out of his grasp. The walls there were strong, like gray bricks stacked on top of one another to prevent entry.

Only more aggravated now, I shoved him with both of my hands and stormed away. Stubbornness ate at my mind, leaving my breaths heavy and my vision swimming. Instead of continuing forward, I spun, quickly facing back towards Padon. His answering smile was playful, his eyes alight and hands in the pockets of his trousers.

“You know nothing about me or him. And what do you expect me to do?” I asked, readying for a fight. I did not even know who this male really was, and still, I was fearless as I closed the distance that I had been so desperate for before. We were toe-to-toe, neither of us so much as flinching at the contact.

“I expect you to use all of that magic you have been gifted. I expect you to take what you want rather than waiting for it to be given.”

For a moment, his eyes flicked down to my lips, but just as quickly, they were up once more, boring into mine. I wanted to gouge them from the sockets. I wanted to show him how powerful I could be.

“He has mental walls as strong as yours!”

“Then break them.” A shrug and an eye roll, then he was still again. As if it were that easy.

“I cannot do that to him—I will not do that to him. I love him.” Why was I telling him this? Why was I entertaining him?

My words, or maybe my thoughts, finally ruffled him. He bristled, white eyes a burning inferno. The fear that I had not felt before engulfed me. I backed up, but Padon followed, matching each of my steps. Reaching out, he grabbed either side of my face, his hands so large they seemed to cradle my entire head.

“Then break him.” I froze, not ready to accept that this creature, whatever he was, meant every threat he wished upon Bellamy. Upon the love of my life. “Loving a mortal is pointless. All it will bring you is heartache.”

None of his words made sense, now more than ever. My mind felt like a cyclone of emotions—all of the feelings I tried so hard to hold back fighting their way to the surface. My head shook of its own accord, denying the male’s words.

“He is not mortal. We are not.”

“Slow aging isn’t the same as undying, my love. They are a watered-down version of what a true immortal is. You, I can make more. I can give you strength beyond your wildest imagination. With my help you will never die, never fall. That thing tells you that he will burn the world for you? Well I will end it with a mere flick of my wrist. For you, I will destroy all of those beings who hated, judged, and belittled you. Any place full of creatures who see you as a monster rather than the salvation you are deserves the doom I will wreak upon it.”

“Gods! Why do all of you think I need the world to be ended for me? Why do you think that I want that? There is no reality in which I wish doom upon a world full of innocents. All you both want is to spare me, but I cannot be spared! I am a monster. The only ones who need sparing are those I endanger. How do you not see that?”

“You are not. All who have made you believe so shall find themselves suffering slow and painful deaths.” Again, a shrug. Whatever he was offering, the delusional male thought he could make good on it.

“Oh, so you will just murder all of my enemies?” I asked sarcastically, the burning cold of his fingers stinging as I attempted to break free of his grasp.

“Do you want me to?” His face drew closer, his desire for not only me but death as well, apparent. It radiated off of him in waves, pressing into my skin and igniting that bloodlust I so desperately tried to hide.

There was a hidden meaning to his question, and I knew that, if I told him yes, he would go farther than just my enemies. Without a shadow of a doubt, I knew Bellamy’s body would lay at my feet if I allowed this creature any free rein.

“No. I do not believe you would stop at two fae royals.” A smile lifted his cheeks, not quite meeting his eyes. Both thumbs slid back and forth across my skin, the casual touch seeming absentminded.

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