Page 86 of A Kingdom of Lies

I stood, unblinking, as I waited for Erix to reveal what caused him such torment. “Nothing you can do or say would relieve the pain you have already caused me.”

Erix looked up at me with those dark eyes filled with desperation. I searched them for some spark of silver, something to tell me that it truly was him, free from Doran’s control, speaking with me.

“I want you to kill me, to finish the job you started.” Erix shattered my reality with his request. “Save me from being used by him. These moments of peace, moments of reprieve from Doran’s control will not last long, and even now I can sense him trying to claw back into my mind. I don’t want more blood on my hands, blood I am not aware I am spilling.”

Erix begged, talon-like fingers clasping one another in a signal of prayer. I could sense his legs quivering as though he was moments from falling to his knees. And I shared in that moment of weakness, my own body numbing as his request settled over me.

“Don’t ask that of me, Erix.” Hot tears stung my eyes; my magic retreating like a scorned dog. “How dare you come here and say such things. Do you think you’re in any position to ask me even the simplest request, let alone that?”

Erix took a single step forward, and I retreated two. I could see the discomfort my repulsion caused him. “Little bird…”

“Stay away from me, Erix,” I shouted, cringing as my voice echoed between us.

“You are disgusted by me. Yet I remember not long ago when you would look at me how you do the Hunter. You have no problem doing as he desires when he asks.”

I scowled, forehead pinching into countless lines. “You’ve been watching us.”

It was not a question, but a statement, one he didn’t deny.

“Not by choice.”

A sour taste filled my mouth. I hardly cared to know what Erix had seen and what he had not because the idea of him watching no matter the action churned my stomach. “Regardless of who controls you, I look into your eyes and see the man who took my… my father from me.”

“Hate me then,” he replied, voice low. “In fact, punish me.Killme. I deserve it, you know I do. Robin, you have to.”

He tried to trick me into a corner, force me to feel anger for him to ensure that his command for me would be complete.

But I couldn’t do it.

“Gone are the days I’m manipulated by puppets of tormented men. No matter what you become, no matter what you do, what you are, I will not be made to take a life. Especially not yours. That, Erix Oakstorm, is your punishment.”

He staggered back as the slamming of his full true name crashed over him.

Erix dropped to his knees, hands pawing at the ground as he wailed. “I would never have done it by choice. You do not understand what it is like having the mind of Doran within your own. I watch, from a dark room, as he manipulates my body to cause you pain. I would never have done that out of choice. You must believe me.”

His wings jolted at his sides, moonlight washing out the little colour of life he had from his greying skin.

“I do believe you, but my answer stays the same.” I choked back a sob, trying to control my emotions was harder than my magic. “You left me that night. If you hadn’t, then perhaps we wouldn’t be in this place discussing such matters. I hate you for what you have been made to do, but you are right. I can’t kill you – I won’t.”

“But you must.” Erix bellowed. “If you leave me, I will become a gryvern. That fate is worse than anything.”

“I will save you,” I said, chest aching. “I’m going to save everyone from Doran’s poison.”

I longed for nothing more than to flee, turn my back on the creature before me and forget him forever. In truth, I felt the memory of Erix slipping as this new version of himself stood before me.

“If you do not end this then Doran will gain his eternal control and you know what will become of me. I will be used to hunt you down until you are forced to take my life. Save yourself the time. Please, do it. For yourself if not for me.”

“Get up!” The cry tore out of me. If my hands were not shaking so violently, I would have gripped my chest as a twisting agony filled it. “Turn your back and leave me.”

“I promised I would never leave you.” His reply was as urgent as my own words.

“You broke that promise many days ago and there is nothing that will fix it again. Go. Don’t come back searching for death because you will not find it from me.”

A deep growl rumbled from the pits of Erix’s mutated body. He threw his head back, wings spreading wide when an inhuman scream of pure brokenness tore from his throat. His boiling desperation devoured the night; the sound was so haunting, it ripped at my skin, making the very night shiver in response as though it recoiled from him.

I’d never forget it.

I stood there, body trembling and rooted to the spot as I listened to his endless cry. I spoke only when Erix finally caved in on himself, forehead pressed to the ground, silent and exhausted. “I’m sorry I cannot offer you the relief you desire. I’m sorry this ended the way it did. And more than anything, I’m sorry I gave up on you.”

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