Page 86 of Kiss of Death
I explained the way the line of torches worked, that it was a magical booby-trap that let Leviathan know when someone approached the doorway to the underworld. But he couldn’t distinguish who was present or how many people were in the party. “Talon can’t do it because Leviathan will be suspicious. He’ll be suspicious if anyone we know approaches him. But you’re distant enough that he might believe your intentions are sincere.”
“Trust me, they are.” He looked at me as he said that, his tone full of accusation. “I warned her that this relationship wasdoomed to fail. Would leave her to rot in regret—and I was right.”
That hadn’t been decided yet.
“She deserves better than you,” he said viciously.
My face remained stoic and my heart hard as stone. “I don’t disagree with that.”
His eyes were still pissed off when he looked at Talon. “I’ll do it.”
“Thank you?—”
“And perhaps when this is over…” He looked at me again, still furious. “She’ll realize she chose the wrong man—and correct that mistake.”
We were granted accommodations for the evening so we could have a full respite before we made the return journey. Knowing Lily was protected by the occult who revered her as a goddess quieted the manic panic that had taken hold of me. She wasn’t in Leviathan’s grasp, but protected by a coven of witches that would slit their own throats if she asked them to.
The bedchambers granted to me were fit for a king. They felt wasted on me, a mortal man who had no power in this world. I was a carpenter once more, a man who hunted for my own food, a simple man with simple wants and desires.
Nothing extraordinary and wholly unworthy of Lily Rothschild.
I sat on the couch in front of the warm fire, my thoughts drifting away as I stared into the flames, thinking about Lily whenshe’d sailed with pirates of the Brigandine Empire, when she’d challenged the Empire Colonies and tried to spare King Ithaca, even though he still would have betrayed her if given the chance.
She was more than a queen, rather a goddess.
When that thought struck, I was hit with a realization.
She still had my strength.
I was on my feet without realizing it, my eyes still on the flames without really looking at them. They recognized her as a goddess because they felt the power I had bestowed upon her. At that moment, there were two gods in the underworld.
And Lily was one of them.
I was in the casual attire that a servant had provided me, and I pulled on the shirt that I’d left on the back of the couch and stepped into the hallway. I wasn’t sure where Talon’s quarters were located but I assumed it was next to one of mine, so I started knocking on all the doors in the hope he would answer.
But he didn’t.
I left the hallway and entered the grand entryway, but it was empty except for one servant.
“I’m looking for Talon Rothschild,” I said without preamble.
“He’s in the study with General Viper.” He nodded toward the hallway on the other side of the room. “Third door on the left.”
I nodded in gratitude then walked down the hallway, and when I got close enough, I heard Viper’s voice. “There’s no way you could possibly accept him for your daughter in light of what’s happened.”
I stopped before I reached the door, my angry curiosity halting me in my tracks. It was dishonorable to eavesdrop, but I stayed there anyway.
Talon said nothing to that.
“If this all goes according to plan, you would really give your blessing to their union? This is a man who’s taken souls from evil men. This is a man who’s served the evil forces of this world for hundreds of years. This is the man who’s responsible for whatever Lily endures?—”
“I don’t need to be reminded of his atrocities.”
“Then there’s no way you could grant your blessing.”
“I don’t think my blessing matters,” Talon said quietly.
“I know Lily. She would never marry someone her father despised.”
