Page 26 of Oath-Maker

Merek nodded slowly as if I were a child slow on understanding something. “Exactly, Ayla. We were chosen, you and I. And we will see through the prophecy together.”

“Queen of Alastia,” I corrected, “Merek.” If he insisted on drawing a line of formality between us, let him keep it up.

There was nothing left of whatever we’d had before. When I’d first met Lucius and had grappled with the idea of him being my mate, I had still believed that maybe Merek had been my first one. But people didn’t have two mates. It simply did not happen.

I saw that now. Standing before Merek as I was, I felt nothing of the bond that used to be between us. The familiarity of his face and eyes, his voice—it all sang to me the way your mind calls out for your favorite song when in need. But that was it.

Love was what had been between us. A mutual, many-years-long shared experience. It had createdabond.

But not a mate bond.

Not what Lucius and I had.

Merek’s jaw locked tight, but he didn’t lash out. That was the only indication that, somewhere beneath the ornate armor and high new rank and his world-dominating agenda, my Merek still existed.

“I want this to work amicably,” Merek said. “I don’t want to hurt you. But I do need you, Ayla. I will use your magic, your power, whether you help me willingly or not.”

“Okay,Merek,” I shot back.

He affixed a glare at me for a moment before turning to Cornelius. “Prepare rooms for the Queen of Alastia and appropriate clothing. We will be touring Lightport in the meantime.” He raised a hand and snapped his fingers, at which point two of the full celestials standing guard around the sphere of sunlight stepped forward. “Trail us.” Then, to me, he said, “Come.”

I didn’t exactly have a choice. “Fine. But they stay.” I gestured toward the two guards whom Merek had summoned forward.

“No,” Merek said. “I don’t trust you.”

“AndIdon’t trust them,” I argued. “I’ve come to Lightport willingly. I cannot outrun your celestial army. Let us walk alone if we are to walk at all.”

I couldn’t run. But there was no reason why I couldn’t at least try to gather more information without a pair of guards breathing down my neck.

Merek considered this for a moment. Consideredme. But, eventually, he nodded. “Then alone we will go.”

I’d take it as my first victory for now. Every small one mattered.

CHAPTER11

Lightport had changed. Aside from the obvious increase in celestial and celestial-kin population, the streets just seemed darker. Less happy and friendly. Not that living in one of the last bastions of human existence in Serenia had necessarily ever been ahappyexperience. But it had never beenthis.

As I walked beside the Guardian, it was hard not to let memories flood me. Those early days dating Merek, when everything had been bright and new. When’d been at the top of our paladin class and had thought we could take on an entire army of demons with just our celestial swords and magic. Back when I’d thought that, maybe, we’d been mates and not just deeply in love. That we’d been so connected, fate had taken it upon herself to link us inextricably.

I saw now that that link was war, not love. That Merek had never been my mate, not really. That we were linked by a shared destiny, but that it wasn’t one of hope or justice.

These were the thoughts that accompanied me as we toured Lightport in near-silence. I figured right away that the Guardian wasn’t doing this to be cordial or so I’d have something to do. Merek wanted to open my eyes. To reveal truths to me I’d never believe.

The size of the Fallen’s foothold in Serenia. The number in his army, one that was continuously growing with every new celestial who flew through the tear in the Veil here.

His army was huge. Entire platoons marched around Lightport. Celestials. Paladins. Human fighters commissioned to fight for him and the Fallen.

This battle would make the siege on Alastia look like child’s play. I could see why the prophecy had been made. If I or another like me were to end the demon’s rule, it would be so easy. Too easy.

The silence that stood in wake of this realization weighed heavily on my shoulders. And when it continued as Merek kept this awful exhibition going, I became restless. Eager for movement away from Merek or at least conversation to drown out the pressure threatening to collapse me down into nothing but celestial dust.

Finally, I sucked in a breath and said, “I’m surprised your guards let us actually go alone.”

I didn’t think it was possible, but Merek’s chin lifted just a bit more in evident arrogance. “They understand.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Or maybe they hope you’ll make me ‘see reason’ or something.”

At this, Merek’s expression finally morphed from arrogance into something akin to exasperation. “I think we both know that’s not going to happen, Ayla. So maybe we stop pretending it’s a possibility.”

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