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“It is back in the destroyed building in Silver City. Once I rebuild, I’ll reform that as well. Its ashes are still in that place.”
They nodded, the doors sliding open behind me.
“Imogen, return to the council. Tell them what has transpired and let them know she is secure. I will convene with them shortly.”
Imogen nodded before turning and heading out.
“What do you need from me?” Logan asked.
“Stay here while I am away. With Vincent across the sea, you are next in command. Dianna is downstairs, and as she is right now, I do not trust her not to try to break free,” I said before stepping into the elevator.
* * *
We had repaired the destroyed parts of the city, finishing the guild last. It was once more pristine as if nothing had transpired. Vincent had dealt with the ambassadors for the most part. They were relieved to learn that Dianna had been captured, and they were now requesting a gathering before we left Onuna.
Steam filled the shower, the water flowing over my head. I closed my eyes, and the image of Dianna’s face appeared. It was always the same. The doubt, pain, and anger I had seen in her today would haunt me. It was just one more reason to hate Kaden. He had found her, gotten close enough to talk to her. He had whispered lies to tear her from me, and by the old gods, I wished for his death above any creature in this world or the next.
I opened my eyes, allowing the water to pound the soreness from my muscles. Kaden had told her of the betrothal, but how had he known? Maybe one of the several stolen books, scrolls, or relics contained that information, but I didn’t think so. Kaden had twisted the tale, his goal to turn her from me, and he was succeeding. Dianna was on the warpath, untrusting of everyone.
It had torn me up when she’d spit those words at me as if I’d broken the small part of her I had left. Maybe I should have told her, but when? We had been together for such a short amount of time, and it was such ancient history.
I stormed after my father, our guards trailing after us, the sound of their armored boots echoing through the halls. As soon as we passed the chamber doors, I unleashed.
“That was the announcement you wished to make?” I bellowed. “Imogen?”
The doors slammed shut behind us, leaving our guards on the other side. I heard them hit the door, and my hand flicked out. With negligible use of my power, I locked the door, keeping them on the other side. I made sure of it. I needed to speak to him and only him.
My father stopped, the red and gold cloak swirling around his armored feet.
“You must marry, Samkiel.”
“But Imogen and I are not together. Not as you see it.”
He spun.“Well, how shall I see it? No one else spends as much time with you. You keep everyone at hair’s length except for The Hand. No one is good enough for you, but you must marry.”
“Why?” I shouted, the room quaking, trying to contain the combined force of our power. It was a subject he had harped on so many times, and I was losing my damned mind over it.
“Because I will not be here forever to help you. You cannot rule alone. It is impossible for one to carry this much by themselves.”
I heard the sky crack. The cosmic storm was on the verge of splintering, his tone only feeding it. Others would have pissed their trousers, yet I had grown so used to his anger it was, oddly enough, a comfort. At least he’d shown some emotion. His words sank in as I stared at him. I saw the lines beneath his eyes, how tired he truly was. Since my mother’s death, he had seemed exhausted. Fine strands of gray wove through his dark curls and beard. His eyes had grown empty as if I alone was not enough to keep him here any longer.
“The realms must have a king and queen. Gods, Samkiel, even another king, I do not care, but there must be two rulers. There are too many realms to safeguard. One rules above and one rules below. It is how it always has been and always will be. You cannot do everything alone, no matter how badly you wish it. Imogen is strong, smart, capable, and beautiful, and you two share a bond.”
“A bed, not a bond.” I insisted.
“And what is the difference?”
“I do not love her!” I snapped, rain pouring from the sky, my power a shadow of his.
As the words left my lips, the tension withdrew from my father’s shoulders, and he faltered.
“Samk—”
“I do not love her. I know you wish it for me, but it is not there. My heart does not sing for her when I see her, nor would I burn worlds for her, carve out stars, or lock myself away from others as you have if she passed. I do not feel for her what you felt for my mother. I do not share with her what Logan and Neverra have.”
My father instilled fear in creatures carved from nightmares. He made gods quiver in his presence and armies run when he arrived, but he flinched when those words left my lips. I hated how I’d lashed out at him, but I could not control myself. I needed him to see and listen to reason.
“So yes, we seek comfort in each other. We pass the time when you are not shoving lectures down my throat, training for days on in, or gods forbid, lost in battle, but that is all it is. Just time. That is all it has ever been. It is all it will ever be.”
