Page 25 of Queen of the Wicked
“No, but?—”
“Then I will continue jesting in my free time. Shall I expect to see you out in the courtyard? I’ll bring the popcorn.”
Erebos glanced down at his bare chest on full display before running a hand through his ragged curls. “I’ll be there shortly,” he replied.
“Excellent, I’ll save you?—”
Isla bustled into the room, eyes wide with panic when she realized she had barged in on their conversation.She immediately dipped low into a curtsy, and although he saw her wincing from the scent, she didn’t comment on it. “Your Majesty,” she whispered breathlessly, staring at her feet. “I did not mean to interrupt.”
“Apology accepted, Isla. Is everything all right?”
She shook her head, still unwilling to meet his gaze. “I was expected to prepare Alessia this morning, but she wasn’t in her chambers. I’ve been searching the castle in the hopes of finding her. I apologize, Your Majesty, but I?—”
“No need to fret. We determined late last night that she would have a training session with Izara in the courtyard. She must have woken Alessia before you had the chance.”
Eryx snorted, knowing Alessia certainly didn’t sleep in her chambers last night.
“That is a relief,” she rushed to say. “Alessia was very pleased with the tunics and pants you provided. You requested me to inform you of her approval.”
“That I did, Isla. Thank you.”
With another low bow, Isla smiled appreciatively, her cheeks turning cherry red as her eyes met with Eryx. The general dipped his chin with dismissal, but his eyes strayed to her curvy figure as she retreated from the room.
“Tunics and pants, hm? Already aiming to please, I see.”
“Careful, Eryx.” Erebos sauntered over to the door and gave a gentle but firm slap to his shoulder. “It won’t be long before it’smejestingyou.”
Eryx bristled. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Then try to make it less obvious. I’ll meet you in the courtyard.”
After bathingand changing into fresh clothes, Erebos joined Eryx outside on the benches beside the makeshift fighting ring Izara had created. Alessia was poised in the center, her hand on her jutting hip, those black waves pulled up and behind her head to frame her face. Erebos didn’t understand why her attitude made him less upset by the day and more attracted to her than ever. He’d been told this would happen if he were lucky enough to find his mate, but he didn’t expect it to be this intense.
Despite how wrong it felt, he would fight these feelings for her tooth and nail.
He needed to focus.
Erebos released a deep breath and tried to avoid staring at how tight that tunic was on her body, but when her eyes met his, whatever moment they shared between them last night was all in his head. “Training? Seriously?I don’t even know how to use the powers! This is pointless!”
He should be thankful that last night was nothing but a farce and the snarky side of Alessia was back, but the disappointment that swelled in his gut was inevitable.
“Because you aren’t trying,” Izara interjected. “We’ve been here for two hours, and you won’t give it a chance.”
Alessia’s voice lowered. “You don’t understand what happened in the forest that day. I couldn’t…” She inhaled deeply. “I couldn’t control it, okay? And if I bring it out, someone might get hurt.”
“You need to center yourself.” Izara stepped closer to the makeshift ring and closed her eyes, palms facing upward by her sides. Flames sparked along her fingertips until she held two delicately controlled balls of fire. “Feel that spark of power and reign it in. Takecontrolof it.”
“You’re an…arsonist,” Alessia breathed.
“Fire specialist,” Eryx and Erebos piped in, wincing at the word. Izarahatedto be called an arsonist.
Izara shot them a grateful look. “It is one of my gifts, yes.”
“Oneof them? What else can you do?”
Izara prowled around her with a devilish smile like the little soul seeker she was, brows quirked up in challenge. “Some things I like to keep secret. I suggest you do as you’re told during these training sessions.”
Alessia gulped, and that attitude she sported momentarily vanished, her shoulders slumping slightly. Eryx passed him the popcorn. “How am I supposed to control it if I don’t know what the power feelslike?”
