Page 82 of The Eternal Mirror
And I’m back in my ridiculous queenly bed, next to my invisible boyfriend.
Beside me, Khaosti is still asleep. The bond throbs faint and steady beneath my skin and the guilt is back.
He shifts beside me. A hand finds my arm. “You okay?”
I don’t answer because no, I’m not okay.
I’m still hearing the echo of Selene’s voice in my mind—and feeling the weight of a scary, all-powerful mirror that might be coming apart at the seams. Of a world that needs saving.
The problem is—I’m not at all sure that this world is worth it.
Chapter 28
He Thinks We’re Soulmates. I Think He’s a Psycho
There's a sharp rap at the door, and I jump.
I slip out of bed and grab my dress off the floor. I really must ask for something else to wear. I pull it on and head to the door, moving the chair out of the way before opening it a crack.
Two of the king’s guards stand on the other side.
“The king requires you,” one of them says.
“Really? At this time? It’s just getting light. Doesn’t he sleep?”
“Not often.”
“Give me a moment.” I shut the door firmly in their faces.
The bed is flat. No Khaos. But yes—he’s still close. I can sense him. I don’t speak; just in case the guards are listening. I head tothe bathroom, splash water on my face, and peer into the mirror. Not good.
Back in the bedroom, I hunt for my boots and find them under the bed, tugging them on—it’s a good look, paired with my pink dress—and I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.
The guards are exactly where I left them, standing at attention.
“Let’s go, then,” I suggest and march off.
We head down the corridor, one of them in front of me, one behind. I’m not sure what they’re guarding me from—possible harm or making sure I don’t make a run for it.
It soon becomes clear we’re heading back to the dungeons—down, down, where the air is fetid and soaked with dark magic. I become aware of Khaos following behind us. Silently, thank the gods.
We stop in front of the entrance to the mirror chamber. Dread curls in my gut. I don’t want to see Khronus or the cracked mirror.
“You are to enter,” the guard says.
“Do I have to?” I mutter. It isn’t actually a question, more of a whine—but never mind. The wall fades and I step inside. It closes behind me, with Khaos still on the other side. He’s not going to be pleased.
The air feels pressurized—like the moment before lightning strikes. The magic doesn’t just hum now. Ithowls. Raw power crackles through the room, thick enough to taste.
This time, there are no reflections within the cracked glass, just the Eternal Mirror spinning endlessly in the void.
I give Khronus a quick sideways glance. He looks happy—which is scary as hell.
As if sensing my gaze, he turns to face me. “It’s responding tous,” he says, his voice reverent. “I’ve studied the mirror for thousands of years, but it remained dormant—until you. You’re the catalyst. The key that unlocks our divinity.”
That makes me feel decidedly twitchy, but at least it probably means I’m safe from Khronus hooking me up to the mirror and draining me dry. I think we’ve moved past that…I hope.
His gaze drops down over my body in the thin pink dress. Heat flares in his eyes, and I make myself stand still. I do not back away. At least while he’s warded, I’m safe from his touch. He can look, but he can’t do anything else.
