Queen of the Underworld | Book 3

• sixteen •

I groaned as I made my way around him. "He wasn't talking. I just need to know what they know."

Damien shook his head. "He doesn't know anything. Nothing. He is just a man who followed orders. He was living his life after everything that happened. It doesn't justify his past actions but he doesn't know anything about what's happening now."

I swallowed. Had I really tormented that man for nothing?

Damien cocked his head. "Asmo didn't tell you that, did he? He thinks once you torture someone they will tell you what they want but he is wrong. You can only push a man so far before he gives you anything you want to hear, even false information." He exhaled sharply. "Asmo is a sadist, Em. He lives to inflict pain on others."

I could feel his disappointment.

"Imagine you did kill that man? Then what? You said you had control but you didn't. I saw it with my own eyes." He sighed. "Your hair didn't go back to normal even with that burst of power just now. I thought you had glamoured it for your grand performance as queen." Damien crossed his arms. "You are not yourself."

I couldn't even look at him. He was right. About everything. I couldn't lie to Julian anymore, I was tired of doing it. Not that it mattered. He was getting married.

And Asmo...he'd gotten under my skin somehow. Whatever he did in my dreams...might have actually worked. I started seeing him as an ally and not the power-hungry fae that trapped me in a bargain that depended on the death of my friend.

I shook my head trying to rid myself of the thoughts in my head. "I have to go.  I don't have time for this. I need to take care of that man downstairs. I'll text you as we go for as long as I can. I'll see you after."

Damien was not happy. I could feel his disappointment. "Fine," Damien's voice was calm. "But we have to talk about this when you get back, Em. Please. I'm worried about you."

I sprinted to my room. Damien has told a couple of guards and servants of my plans while we met earlier.  Travel clothes were laid out for me on the bed while I was out. As soon as I closed the door, I began to change. The clothes were made for me. I realized it as soon as I put my own on that Nadia's was a bit large for me.

The black material was smooth and comfortable, but warm. The fabric and material used was much finer and more beautiful than the ones I borrowed from Naida. The shirt was trimmed close to my body, hugging every curve as I moved. The long sleeves were layered with several different fabrics, padding, I thought in case it was needed to protect my arms. The long pants were black and skin tight but comfortable. Beautiful, knee-high boots completed the set.

I grabbed extra socks and clothes from my drawer and stuck to essential toiletries. I chucked everything in my magic bag and left the room with it slinged over my shoulder.

I closed the lock with a resounding click as I left my room and almost collided with Asmo when I turned down the hall.

"Gods, you scared me," I gasped, my heart in my throat.

"You're not seriously going, are you?"

I sighed quietly and gestured at my outfit. "Yes, I'm seriously going." I looked at his hands and noticed his closed fist. "Do you have what I need?"

His dark eyes shifted towards me then behind him. A deep frown creased his brow. "You don't have to do this."

I crossed my arms. "What are you exactly against? Going to Elysium? Burying someone?" I thought about his response during our last conversation. "Me going with Julian?"

At the last question, his nostrils flared. "This is not about him. This is about you."

"Like hell, it is," I answered. My tone was short, direct. I wouldn't give him any room to question me. Or for me to question myself. Not anymore. "It's whatever jealousy you have towards him." I extended my hand. "Now, give me what I asked."

Reluctantly, he placed a vial in my hand with a small note. As soon as he let go, his hand grasped my wrist gently. The intensity of his gaze rooted me to the floor. "You are not ready to see what happened in Elysium."

I stepped forward, unafraid, our noses almost touching. "I will decide that, not you." I looked at his dark eyes. "I am not yours to claim. That bargain will never happen." I pulled my arm away from his hand and continued my march to the study where Julian said we would meet.

On the desk, there were two small, bundled bags. Upon closer inspection, I realized they were bags of food. Bread, grapes and other fruits were inside the cloth bags one for each of us.

I picked a grape from one of the vines and bit into the juicy fruit when Julian appeared.

"Ready?"

I nodded as he approached. A similar bag to mine was on his back. He also dressed warmly in travel clothes rather than his usual lordly attire. A plain black shirt and pants, nothing like the double tunic with embroidery he wore when outside of his home.

I handed him his food and he placed it in his bag as I did.

"That should be the last of it," I finally said.

He looked up at me as he closed his bag on the seat he put it on. "Do we need to go to your apartment?"

I shook my head. I was going to kill Damien when I got back. "No need. I have everything I need here."

He chuckled, shaking his head. "You chose a human apartment over a castle. You are full of surprises, Emylin."

I sighed as I texted Damien to let him know we were leaving. "I only show up here for public events. I don't live in the Keep since Damien and I aren't together anymore. I hate it here."

There was a pause. "You're not together?"

I shook my head, placing my phone in my pocket. "Not since Paris." I looked at him again. "Ready?"

He was shaking his head as he straightened with his bag over his shoulder. "At your command, Emylin."

I narrowed my eyes. "How do you make my name sound like an insult?"

He laughed wholeheartedly and my breath caught. It was going to be a hard day. He reached for my hand. "Come on, Light fae."

I took his hand and felt my heart skip a beat. I felt my cheeks flush as he watched me. He didn't pull me in and held me like he had once. He kept ample space between us and I noticed he was fighting the urge to move closer.

Just like I was.

Old habits, I supposed. He used to always hold me when we spectered.

He nodded towards me. "It's pretty far so if you feel the need to hold on to me, you can."

A wicked part of me wanted to take him up on the offer. The sane part of me only snorted, "I'll keep my distance, thanks."

He laughed again, spectering as he did.