Page 103 of The Soulbond and Her Beloved

Now that he had begun talking, he simply could not stop. It felt so damn good to say it out loud.

"And the look of betrayal on his face?" Zaiper cackled. "The pain in his eyes as he took his last breath? Poetic."

The Oracle’s lips thinned. "You accursed monster."

"Which reminds me... where is his son?"

There was no reaction. Not that Zaiper expected one.

"You see, it never really bothered me because the boy has remained hidden for over two millennia. I'm certain he's out there somewhere, living his own pathetic little life. He would neverdareset foot in this fortress and declare himself Kristoff Dragaxlov’s heir,” he stated, grinning widely. “But still, I would very much like to know his whereabouts."

"And you genuinely think I will tell you that?"

"No, no, of course not. I know you will not, which is a pity." Zapier clicked his tongue. "I would’ve enjoyed gutting him as well. Make sure no one else comes for my throne while I continue to plot my conquest ofallthe clans!"

"Look what hunger for power has done to you," she said in heavy disgust, shaking her head. "Greed. Unmitigated wickedness."

Zapier backed up to the edge of his bed, and sat. "You know the best part of it all? They have no idea." His body shook with laughter. "I stay in the shadows, weaving my webs, playing my games, orchestrating countless conspiracies, achieving victory upon victory, and yet…They. Have. No. Idea.”

He was laughing so hard, tears slipped from his eyes. "I'm very clever, you see. I leave no trace, no trail, nothing. I make it look so natural. Take a look at Daemonikai—he mounted his female into a half-dead state, but because he's a feral survivor, he has no idea what to think. Is it a resurface? Dark magic? Or was it all that crazy maze-trap mind of his? He treads uncharted territory." Zapier wiped the tears from his face. "I thought of all those things quite carefully, deciding... it was worth using up my last favors. The perfect plan. How was the big bad beast supposed to know it was all me?" He shook his head, marveling at his own cleverness. "Even you, Old Lady, have to admit I'm a genius."

The Oracle could not look any more repulsed.

"And now, he plans to start another family." Zaiper barked another laugh. "I have no plan in mind yet, but I can tell you the end. I'll lie in wait for the pretty princess’s belly to swell fully. Perhaps seven months? Eight? Then I'll capture her, plunge my hand into her pathetic human body, and rip the little one out of her."

Something dark and deadly crossed the Oracle’s face.

"I may take her sister too, I don’t know. It will be entertaining, do you not agree?" He tapped his finger against his knee, thinking. "Just like Evie watched me slay her son before I ended her too, I will extend the same fate to the human princesses."

The old lady finally moved, traversing the distance to stop so close he could feel the power radiating off her.

"I have existed since nearly the dawn of time, have witnessed countless atrocities and unspeakable horrors—I have seen kingdoms rise and fall. Many have required my intervention, but I did not meddle."

"Exactly how we like you,” Zaiper snapped. Do not interfere with the natural order, return to sleep in the coffin-bed and leave the world to ordinary mortals. Why do you persist?"

"Let us just say… this time, Ichooseto," she said. "This conversation has sealed your fate, Zaiper Thoryk Dragaxlov. The next time we meet will be in the public eye, with me standing in my physical form while the world listens to tales of your crimes. And that day is near, I have nearly completed my tasks here."

She paused, slanting her head to look at him. "Oh, and I see you are searching for ways to kill me. One dark mage and three shamans? Daring, but pitiful, really. Incompetent rat."

Zaiper bristled, turning away, ears flushing pink. Why did shealwayshave to know?

"I could wish you better luck in your pathetic quest," she went on neutrally. "But it would be wasted. You will not silence me, not your way, not any way. Our ends are drawing near, you and I. Mark my words and carve them with blood; the next time we meet will be your downfall. Prepare for it." She vanished.

Zaiper sat there, staring at the empty space where she had stood.

A laugh bubbled up in his throat, and he laughed until it hurt to breathe, and still he laughed.

But when he stopped and the silence came, her words repeated in his ears.

His reality was like a cold bucket of water dumped on him.

That bitch.

***

A good mood feeds the soul, and Daemonikai had been in the best of them for days.

Until the message from Mysticaria arrived.

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