Tale of the Heart Queen (Artefacts of Ouranos #4)

Chapter 23

C HAPTER 23

NADIR

T HE E VANESCENCE

I pace the length of my room, feeling like a wild animal tethered inside a cage. I can’t tell how long I’ve been up here, but it feels like it’s been months. I’m invited to dinner every night while Zerra makes lewd comments loaded with innuendos. She seems convinced that because this King Herric was her lover, I, too, will succumb to her advances. In fact, I get the unsettling sense she thinks I’ll replace whatever role he once played in her life.

I’ve been doing my best to play nice during our dinners, attempting to lull her into a false sense of security. She’s revealed a few things as a result. Like the fact she sent Lor on a mission to retrieve the ark of Alluvion .

But that information only adds to my confusion. Why would Lor agree to that? I’m not sure I even believe it. If Lor had the choice, she would have gone to find Willow and Tristan. Unless Zerra is holding something over her. I wonder if it might have something to do with me, but Zerra doesn’t seem inclined to ever let me out of here.

I also get the sense she doesn’t like Lor, thanks to a regular stream of underhanded comments that make me see red, but I can’t begin to figure out why. What could Lor have possibly done to make Zerra dislike her so much?

Beyond that, I’ve learned a bit more about the Empyrium and my ancestor, King Herric, who was indeed the first king of the Second Age, but something happened to him that Zerra hasn’t yet revealed. It does seem clear that he hurt her, but given the way she’s treated me, I’m not all that inclined to feel much sympathy. Something tells me I would have sided with him.

The “wedding” is coming up, and it’s imperative I get out of here before then. Not only does the idea make my skin crawl, but she’s made it clear that once it takes place, she’ll be coming for my . . . body. I shudder at the idea of becoming like one of her servants who move about this place like soulless ghosts, trapped here forever.

I rub my chest and the constant ache that blooms behind my ribs. I miss Lor like I miss air. I want to hold her in my arms and bury my nose in the scent of her hair. Inhale that combination of roses and lightning that always makes me feel like I’ve come home. I miss her skin and those eyes that see me in a way no one else ever has. I miss that mouth and her sarcasm, and I’d give anything to have her yell at me right now .

I touch the window, pressing against it with all my strength, already knowing it’s useless. Zerra made a comment about requiring a sacrifice to destroy her palace, and I’ve yet to puzzle it out. After our first dinner, Zerra returned my magic, but I quickly understood it’s to remind me that it has no power here. That I have no power here.

It seems to only work alone in my room, and I’ve tried using it to free myself in every form I can manage—with every ounce of strength I possess—but it makes no difference. I’m losing my mind, stuck in this place.

I need Lor.

A knock at my door stops me in my tracks. I’ve learned to dread that sound, knowing I’m about to be dragged to yet another uncomfortable dinner. They don’t wait for my answer. The door swings open as two of Zerra’s minions enter.

They both wear gowns of light, almost sheer material that floats around them and drapes to the floor. Their shiny hair is curled and pinned, and their faces are painted with artful lines of black around their eyes, their lids and cheeks dusted with shimmering powder. It’s become obvious Zerra doesn’t like anything to be less than shiny and perfect in her presence.

“Her Majesty requests you for dinner,” says the one on the left, her voice distant and hollow. Her name is Tia. She dips into a curtsy, and I repress a long, exhausted sigh.

“She’s asked you to wear this,” says the other. Her name is Diana, and she holds out a silver jacket embroidered with glittering stones along the collar and cuffs. It’s the height of tacky and ostentatious. Even if it weren’t, I don’t want anything from this goddess .

Still, I’m trying not to make too many waves that will either get me killed or prevent my escape. In fact, I’ll keep playing the willing captive, hoping to glean more information from her. Zerra seems inclined to see what she wants to see, so I don’t have to pretend too hard. I roll my neck, working out the tension that wrenches on my muscles, and grit out a stiff smile.

“Thank you,” I say, and Diana holds it open for me.

I walk over and slip my arms into the sleeves before she shrugs it onto my shoulders, smoothing them down.

“That fits you very nicely. Her Majesty will be pleased,” Tia says, and I grunt.

“Great.”

“Come along,” Diana says. “Dinner is ready.”

They both turn and expect me to follow. Like a good little pet, I do.

Another thing I’ve learned is that Zerra can only clearly see and summon the living into the Evanescence when they call for her. Otherwise, they must agree to her invitation or be dead. I remember Lor screaming for help in my half-conscious state and this must be how Zerra ensnared both of us.

These poor women were simply praying to Zerra when they were dragged here against their will, so I’m trying not to take my frustrations out on them.

The door opens, and we proceed along the strange glass pathway. I’ve become a bit more accustomed to it, though it’s still dizzying. The path bends to the left, where another round floating room appears.

Diana opens the door and gestures for me to enter, revealing a bedroom where everything is white, the floors covered in thick fur rugs. A massive bed of white wood, covered in white sheets and pillows, sits against a wall, but it’s the view that makes my breath catch.

Huge arched windows extend from the high ceiling, revealing a range of snow-capped mountains receding into the distance. It’s the first time since I arrived that I’ve seen anything other than a stretch of formless blue sky and clouds.

Zerra sits at a dressing table, staring at herself in a small hand mirror. She looks up at my entrance and sets it down before standing.

“What is this?” I ask, gesturing outside.

She shrugs. “Sometimes I like to change the view. The mist can get so boring.”

“Where exactly are we?” I ask, moving towards the window and scanning the horizon. While the view might be different, it still doesn’t appear real, like someone copied a mountain and redrew it a thousand times.

“We’re somewhere above, below, beside Ouranos.”

I turn around. “What does that mean?”

She twists a hand in the air. “The Evanescence is everywhere. I can’t explain it.”

I frown as she approaches, scanning me from head to toe.

“Shall we eat?” She gestures to the small table in the middle of the floor set with silver dishes and a giant candelabra topped with dripping candles. I follow and sit down as she spoons food onto my plate. It threatens my entire sense of calm when she feeds me like I’m a child, but I dig my hands into my thighs, reminding myself that I’m pretending to be nice.

When she’s heaped my plate with food, I give her a smile that I hope appears genuine before I manage a few bites.

“What did you do today?” I ask.

Her eyebrows draw together, and she shrugs. “Why?”

“If I’m staying for a while, I’d like to know more about you.”

That answer seems to please her, and she leans forward, resting her elbows on the table.

“Just sprucing the place up,” she says and waves out a hand, suddenly in a good mood. “I can make anything happen in the Evanescence. Food. Parties. Wine. Fucking. Anything your lurid little heart desires.”

I try to appear interested in her answer as I force down another bite of food.

“Can you control what happens on the surface?”

She typically refuses to humor this line of questioning, but she pauses for only a heartbeat before she replies. “My role on the surface is to keep watch over the Artefacts and ensure they’re doing their job. I am also the conduit for their magic.”

“What about what happened in Aphelion?” I ask, hoping to keep her talking. “Atlas has been pretending to be their king. Aren’t the Artefacts supposed to stop that?”

She spins the stem of her wine glass and takes a sip. “Yes. That. Well, I was getting around to dealing with it.”

“It’s been nearly a century.”

“Has it?” She blinks her big eyes. “Time moves in its own way up here. ”

“Isn’t that your job ?” I ask, trying to keep the judgment out of my voice. Probably not all that successfully.

“I knew that jacket would suit you.” She reaches out and dusts my shoulder before she adjusts the lapel, clearly trying to change the subject. I guess that’s the end of her chatty mood. I resist every urge to throw her hands off me.

“I think we’ll have one just like it made for the wedding—perhaps with some gold here.”

She presses her hand to my chest and then tips her head with a smile. “Won’t that be nice?”

“Zerra,” I say. “I have a mate. We can’t get married.”

“You just said you were staying.”

“Yes, but I’m not marrying you. I can’t.”

She shoves me in a playful way, but it’s a bit too forceful to be believable. My chair nearly tips due to her strength, and I grunt as I right myself.

“Don’t be silly. Your mate won’t be alive much longer.”

Those words snap me to attention. “ What does that mean?”

She hums to herself as she stands up and strides over to the window.

“Zerra,” I growl, following her across the room. I grab her arm to turn her towards me.

“What the fuck does that mean? If you touch her—”

A sharp slap cuts off my words, my head snaps to the side, and I taste blood in my mouth.

“Do not grab me,” Zerra says, calmly smoothing down the front of her dress. “Her presence is a threat. And soon, you won’t even remember her. Soon, all you’ll need is me. ”

If I thought I was angry before, it’s nothing compared to the visceral anger now churning in my blood.

“I’ll destroy you,” I hiss, taking a step towards her and backing her against the window. “If you lay a hand on—”

A movement catches the corner of my eye. The mirror lying on Zerra’s dresser flashes. Our eyes meet, and something in her expression tells me to go and look.

I’m moving across the room before I know what I’m doing, and then I see her.

Lor.

She’s running through a forest. Her feet are bare, and her face is covered in blood and dirt. She’s crying and stumbling, shouting something I can’t hear.

“Lor!” I scream as she careens into a tree and presses her forehead to it as tears mingle with the blood on her cheeks. “Lor! Can you hear me?”

My entire body trembles as my fingers go numb. She’s there. She’s alive, but she needs me.

I whip around to look at Zerra, who’s watching me with her hands folded in front of her and that same infuriating smile on her face. I stalk over, holding up the mirror.

“What’s happening to her?” I ask.

“Oh, she’s succeeded on her little errand,” she replies with a gentle shrug of her shoulders.

“The ark?” I ask, my teeth grinding so hard that I’m worried they’ll crack out of my head.

“Yes. She’s done rather well. Better than I expected, really. The only problem is that your father showed up and is currently hunting her down.” She tips her head and pushes out her lower lip. “Pity.”

I lift the mirror and stare into it, watching Lor run through the trees. Her movements indicate that she’s trying to hide. My father can’t get his hands on her. She stops every once in a while to scan the sky, her mouth moving as though she’s trying to keep quiet, but it’s obvious she’s calling for Zerra.

“Lor!” I shout again, but it’s no use. It’s clear she can’t hear me. “Help her!” I say to Zerra. “Do something! Let me go!”

Zerra laughs, and the sound is like knives plunging into my ears.

“Come now. Surely you know better than that?”

I roar and run for her, not sure what I plan to do, but I need to do something. I slam into her, but it’s like running into an iron pillar. She tosses me aside, and I fly across the room, hitting the far wall as my head snaps against it.

I drop to the floor, groaning and clutching the back of my head, trying to catch my breath. A smear of blood coats the wall where cracks spiderweb out. She’s watching me, not a hair out of place, and I leap up, prepared to attack again, when I’m seized around each arm by two pairs of iron hands.

Tia and Diana have me in their grip, and apparently they possess the same unnatural strength as their goddess. I fight and struggle against their hold, but I’m like a small child fighting two grown warriors despite being physically larger than all of them.

“Let me go!” I scream. The mirror lies at Zerra’s feet, and I see flashes of Lor, still running. “Lor! ”

“Take him away,” Zerra says. “I grow tired of your theatrics, Herric. You may come out when you can behave.”

“Help her!” I roar. “Lor! Lor! I love you!”

But it’s no use. I’m dragged out of the room and returned to my prison yet again.