Page 74 of Master of Storms
“No?”
Marduk captured her fingers and lifted them to his lips. “Because then you’ll never know….”
This time, it was her turn to catch her breath. “Know what?”
He merely smiled and kissed her fingertips, before letting her hand go.
“Know what?”
Marduk scrubbed a hand over his face. “You’re right. I am spilling all my court’s secrets.”
“Knowwhat?” she growled.
He looked at her for a long, heated moment. “One day I’ll tell you. But have you ever wondered why you’re so curious about me?”
“I am curious about you because I have vowed—”
“To destroy me?” His lips kicked up in a faint smile as he took a step toward her. There was barely an inch between them, and her heeled boots put her mouth devastatingly close to his. “You’re the one warning me, Solveig. If you wanted to ruin me, then you’re right. I’ve given you everything you need to be able to do so.” He leaned closer to her, his breath stirring her lips. “You’re lying to yourself. You’re not asking all these questions because of some burning desire to see me undone. Maybe you should think about the real reason behind your curiosity.”
And then he pushed past her. “Are you coming?”
Solveig stared after him, her chest heaving as she dared consider the question he’d asked.
What in the Goddess’s name was shedoing?
* * *
They finally reached the bottom,and Marduk became eerily quiet as they found themselves in an enormous set of cellars.
“This way,” he said, walking slowly as if he was in a trance.
Light began to emanate ahead of them.
Green light.
“What is it?” Solveig whispered, lifting her pilfered torch high as they passed beneath an arch. She’d found it halfway down and he’d lit it for her.
“I don’t know.” Marduk suddenly stopped, blocking her view. “Goddess’smercy.”
Now she had to see.
Pushing past him, she saw what had caught his attention and froze herself.
There was an enormous bier in the center of the cellar, and at first glance, a statue appeared to lie in repose upon it.
But her breath caught when she saw the chains wrapping around the body. Chaos magic danced in glimmering waves throughout the room, reflecting across the walls in ripples that reminded her of the sea. But it was centered above the body, all of that power focused within an emerald the size of her thumb, which was encased in the hilt of a knife.
A knife that was buried in the center of the statue’s chest.
“What is this?” she whispered, circling the bier slowly.
“It’s not the key,” Marduk murmured, his gaze locked on the emerald intently.
“It looks like a statue of Draco.”
Solveig lifted the torch, sweeping dust away from the statue’s face—
And warm breath caressed her palm.
