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

Chapter 64

C HAPTER 64

LOR

T HE U NDERWORLD

W ith my hands gripped around the bars of my cage, I watch in horror as Herric paces back and forth, his cape streaming behind him while he riles up the crowd. He’s like some evil court jester, but instead of making everyone laugh, he’s tempting out the very worst parts of themselves.

“What do you think?” he shouts with an arm raised. “Should we start now? Or give them another moment to contemplate how absolutely fucked they are?”

A chorus of screaming mixes with frenzied chants of “nows” and “laters,” and my head feels like it’s been stuffed with cotton and lit on fire. My heart thrashes in my ribs, my breath coming in tight gasps. This shit can’t be happening again.

Lor. Calm down.

The voice enters my head, and I look at Nadir.

Don’t look at me.

What?

Lor. Look at Herric.

I shake my head, trying to form coherent thoughts while the Lord of the Underworld continues circling his arms as he stirs up the crowd. They’re loving every moment of this.

He doesn’t know we’re mates. This is our advantage, Lor.

I grip the bars tighter, my fingers aching, and drop my head against my hand, inhaling deep breaths, trying to clear my head.

Keep looking at him , he says as I sneak a peek over my shoulder. Nadir watches Herric before he turns his gaze to Rion, who’s regarding all of this with a strange sort of hollow detachment. Why has he done this to us? I wish I could walk over there and rip out his spine.

Did you find Willow? I ask. Is she okay? Did he hurt her?

She’s fine. She’s with your brother.

My breath eases with relief as Nadir exchanges a look with his father. In his expression, I see that any qualms he had about killing him have been wiped away, leaving only pure, seething rage churned from a lifetime of neglect and abuse.

Nadir, I’m freaking out.

His gaze swings to me. Don’t panic, Lor.

Sure. I won’t panic. Another fucking test, but this time it isn’t my life on the line but Nadir’s. That’s assuming Herric keeps his word about anything .

How did we come full circle?

Herric continues performing for his minions, working them up into a frenzy that tells me they want action, and they want it now.

I study these . . . creatures—these souls of the dead. Even from here, I can sense their emptiness, their hearts and spirits given up to the earth. To whatever body they might find next. They snarl and shriek, and it’s obvious there’s nothing mortal left. They’re mindless animals scenting blood. Were they always a bit like this? They found their resting place with the worst of Ouranos. Maybe here they enjoy free rein to cater to their basest instincts.

“I think,” Herric screams, drawing my attention back to him. “It’s time we begin!”

He lifts his arms and drops them down, and everything goes black. A second later, I remain cloaked in darkness, but the world no longer sways beneath my feet, suggesting I’ve moved from my cage. It’s a small consolation because I have no doubt that whatever Herric has planned will be so much worse.

I’m surrounded by a disorienting mash of voices, whispers and chants, laughs and jeers. I look down at my wrists as they start to glow with the pulsing blue of arcturite. These cuffs are different from the ones Tyr wore—his were more like thick bracelets, but these are thin and smooth, more like vambraces. I wrap a hand around the left one, finding no seams or breaks in the material.

“Nadir?” I call tentatively into the heavy blackness, relieved to discover I once again have use of my voice .

“Lor!” My name punctuates the veil of darkness, and if I squint, I imagine I can see the faint glow of arcturite in the distance. It’s difficult to gauge how far away he is.

Stand still. Don’t move. I think we’re on some kind of ledge or platform.

I think he’s right. I can’t explain why, but it feels like we’re high up. When Herric granted us these outfits, he also braided my hair. A breeze tosses the few strands framing my face, tickling my cheeks. The idea of him clothing and manipulating us makes my skin crawl, but that’s the least of my problems right now.

Are you also wearing cuffs? Nadir asks.

I look down at my hands again, twisting my wrists left and right. Herric doesn’t know I’m immune. Along with our mate bond, maybe this is the edge we need.

I am. What’s about to happen, Nadir?

I don’t know.

I’m scared.

So am I.

The seconds pass as my heart beats in my throat. Slowly, I turn around, trying to orient myself. Without my sense of sight, I’m unbalanced, and I bend my knees, holding my hands out, attempting to find my equilibrium. Ready for whatever is coming. I hope.

The voices swoop higher, buzzing with anticipation, and I hold completely still, though everything in me wants to find something solid to touch.

A bright light sears across my vision, startling me, and I stumble back, shielding my eyes with my hand. My heel slips off an edge, and I scream as my arms windmill for several long seconds to the sound of delighted gasps and screams. I have just enough presence of mind to make out that I’m standing atop a platform suspended over a drop that disappears into the darkness. I continue to tip and lurch, trying to recover my balance. My foot slips and I pitch forward, my knee crashing against the sharp edge.

I cry out as my shin scrapes a rough corner before I collapse. Rolling over, I clutch my throbbing leg. “Fuck!” I shout, earning me a chorus of snide laughter.

Inhaling a deep breath and blowing it out of my mouth, I will my fury to settle. I can’t believe I’m in this fucking place again, surrounded by monsters who delight in my suffering.

Flipping onto my hands and knees, I take in my surroundings. Everything is still dark except for two bright spotlights, one shining on me and the other on Nadir, who’s also perched on top of a small platform.

Are you okay? Don’t nod.

No, I’m not fucking okay.

Waiting on my hands and knees, I stare across the space, but I can barely make out his features.

We’re going to get out of this.

Tears fill my eyes, and one rolls down my cheek, slipping off my chin. I drop my head, staring between my hands as I suck in a long breath.

He keeps saying that, but everything just gets worse and worse. Of all the endings I imagined for myself, this blows every notion I could have conjured out of the water.

Another light flares and my head snaps up to find Herric standing several feet away .

“Welcome to your challenge,” he shouts from where he seems to hover in the air. “I hope you enjoy what I’ve put together for you.”

A moment later, more lights spring to life, revealing a massive round stadium filled with thousands of spectators.

“Your task,” Herric shouts, “is to reach the center and retrieve your gift, Heart Queen.”

Instead of that empty blackness, a microcosm of jungle and forest, swamps, lakes, rivers, trees, and rocks sprawls below us. In the very center is a mountain with a single red rose suspended over its peak spinning slowly in the air.

I try to swallow, but my mouth feels like it’s coated in wool. Panicked sweat breaks out over my forehead.

“You’ll find a few surprises along the way,” Herric continues. “But I’m sure you’ll have no problem dealing with them. Or maybe you will. That’s sort of the point, isn’t it?”

I harden my jaw and push myself up into a fighting stance, my hands curled in tight fists.

Whatever is about to happen, I must get to Nadir.

My life is safe for now, but Herric will do everything to kill him.

“There are no rules in the arena. Do whatever you need to stay alive. Good luck, little queen.”

I’m coming for you , I say to Nadir. I can feel him across the distance separating us. I almost lost him once, and I swore I would never let anyone take him again.

I love you, Lor.

My throat knots at the raw finality in his voice .

No, this isn’t the end. Tell me that again when we get the fuck out of here.

Over the distance, our gazes meet, and I see him fall to a knee with his hand pressed over his chest. Then let’s fucking do this, Heart Queen.

“Ready!” Herric shouts as I turn to look at him.

He drops his arms, and our platforms slowly start to lower when a disembodied voice floats over our heads, backdropped by thousands of breathless, vicious cheers.

I make a promise to myself.

I don’t care what it takes.

This will not be goodbye.

3 . . .

2 . . .

1 . . .

Go!