Page 85 of Queen of the Wicked
She eyed the fireplace Erebos had sat in front of when she first visited this cottage, resulting in a pang that rocked her heart and nearly sent her to her knees. It was instant, an overwhelming tidal wave of fear that left her confused. She was safe. She was with her friend and her mother. Nothing was wrong.
So why did she suddenly feel like the world was ending?
Alessia froze in the entryway, gripping onto the doorframe to steady herself.
Eryx was instantly at her side. “Is everything okay?” he asked.
“I think so, I just…” The ground tilted, but before she could fall to the floor, Eryx caught her and carried her to the chair beside the fire.
“What’s happening to her?” Elyana asked frantically.
Agony coursed through her, a level of anguish that threatened to take over her entire being. It felt like the emotion would rip her apart, a part of her soul thrashing wildly in her chest like a rabid animal. It wanted out, or it didn’t want to be here. Alessia couldn’t settle on what it was attempting to tell her.
“Something is wrong,” Alessia whispered. “Something is very wrong.”
Brienne knelt before her, placing the back of her palm against her sweaty forehead. Her brows furrowed a moment later. “No fever,” she murmured. The witch’s fingers moved to her pulse, feeling the fluttering pace of her heart. “Do you have a mate?”
“Shit.” Eryx shot to the door with impressive, lethal strides until he abruptly stopped in the doorway, his knuckles bleached from clinging to the doorframe. As if remembering something, he glanced over his shoulder at Alessia, then back to the door. A pained expression flitted across his face as he debated whatever internal struggle he faced. Finally, he said to her,“Do not leave this cottage until I return.” Then, he moved his attention to her mother. “I am trusting you to keep her safe, Elyana. My life depends on it.Ourlives depend on it, but I am not leaving him alone without help. He can hate me for it later.”
In response, the former general dipped her chin. “You have my word, Eryx. I will protect her with my life.”
“Where is he going?” Alessia asked, moving to risefrom the seat. The pain was unbearable now, feeling like a chainsaw was slowly hacking away at her ribs. Her chest cavity felt close to collapsing, her lungs unable to take in a deep breath. “W-What’shappening?”
“Alessia, I need you to listen to me.” Her mother squatted to become eye-level with her and grabbed her hands. “You are the harbinger—the one with the power to change the outcome of the realms entirely.Youare the one who must be protected at all costs. This pain will pass.”
“I…I don’t understand,” she gasped. Tears sprang to her eyes, but she had no reason to cry.Why was she crying?
“The Makers provided you with disciples to help achieve this mission. People who would freely give their lives to ensure the greater good. They were hand-selected before either of you were born, ensuring a path for you to be destined for greatness.” Her eyes glistened with pride. “You are the greatest weapon we have.”
Alessia hadn’t noticed, but Brienne had dropped to a knee with a hand placed over her heart. “The harbinger,” she breathed, eyes cast to the floor. “It is an honor and a privilege.”
“Please…stop.” Alessia rose to her feet despite the waves of turmoil rocking through her. “Stop calling me the harbinger. Stop speaking in riddles. Stop beating around the bush and just tell me what the everlovingfuckis happening right now!” Power surged within her, stopping at the base of her throat. Crimson eyes remained locked on her mother, but they didn’t seem tofrighten her at all. Instead, Elyana was in awe, dropping to a knee beside her to match Brienne.
“Speak,” Alessia hissed, her voice not sounding like her own. “Now.”
I told you to be careful,the voice inside her purred.You were only meant to take, and now your broken heart will pay the price.
“Erebos is your mate,” her mother replied, “and you are the lost heir of Heaven.”
The statement had Alessia’s knees buckling, and if she weren’t gripping onto the armrest of the chair for balance, she might have fainted.
For once, she wished for the red aura to appear.
It never did.
“King Amos sent your mom and me to Earth to protect you from harm after Haleth looked into your future and learned you were the harbinger. Following your father’s orders, Haleth cast an enchantment to hide your powers until you could handle them, knowing that the Lord of Hell would inevitably seek you out when the time came. The Makers designed him specifically for you, knowing the combination of black and dark magic would create the most powerful immortal ever to walk the realms, capable of demolishing or rectifying the balance when the time came. That time is now.”
The Lord of Hell was made for you, Harbinger. Darkness can exist without light, but light cannot exist without darkness.
The Seeker’s words echoed through her mind, but she didn’t wish they were true. Because accepting the truth meant that Erebos wasn’t made for her, but madeforher. A vessel to carry powers until she was old enough to take them. A means to an end. A…discipleused to help her achieve the greater good.
“So, you’re saying the Makers only created Erebos as my mate to ensure we would find each other?” Alessia asked on a shaky exhale. “But I never agreed to be his mate.”
“That is true,” Elyana agreed. “Erebos did not wish to force the choice upon you. We spoke privately after I smelled the scent of your bond my first day in Hell.”
“Erebosknew?” Unable to help herself, the smoke within her shot out to send a vase on the hearth shattering against the floor. She hated that she was uncontrollable right now, but nothing could quell her hurt. Erebos was hermate,and she couldn’t decide whether she should be furious with him for keeping this secret from her or grateful he didn’t rush her into the bond. “Did he know his powers were meant for me this entire time, or was his distress over losing them all an act?”
Elyana shook her head. “Erebos was unaware of his role in your destiny. The full exchange of powers was not complete until you both…solidifiedyour connection. Although you have not officially accepted the title as his mate, the rest of his powers were still exchanged, as they rightfully belong toyouand not the lord. Now you are at full capacity.”
