Queen of the Underworld | Book 3

• sixty-eight •

Saying the words out loud felt...odd.

I tried to grasp at another memory as it struggled to the surface but stopped as my headache grew in intensity.

"Together?" He asked.

I nodded. "As in a couple. Are we in a relationship?"

Asmo raised his eyebrow again.

I swallowed as he watched me. His eyes quickly moved to my lips then back up to my eyes.

His voice was low, a small smile quirked his lips slightly upward. "What made you come to that conclusion?"

I couldn't stop fidgeting with my hands. "You said we exchanged power," I whispered, watching his lips like he looked at mine. "Damien had to transfer some power to me once, he said he had to kiss me."

His intense gaze shook me. His dark eyes burned through me.

I frowned, struggling to remember. Memories fought to reach the surface and a dull headache began.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, looking away. "I'm just trying to remember."

He smiled gently. "No, Emylin. We are not."

I let out a long breath, letting myself finally relax.

"We exchanged power by making a bargain --- a deal with each other. Faes exchange power that way as well. Though the bargain has been broken for some time, that exchange of power is much stronger than just a kiss. I felt some of your residual magic when you panicked in the woods."

He smiled lovingly, like a father to his naïve child. "There's a reason why you felt safest in Skryen." He paused. "The man there helped you once. He saved you. When you first discovered your power, he was the one that helped you control it, to use it -- so you can go home again in the Human world and defeat a great evil. The Lord of Skryen and you are together in that way."

My stomach flipped at the mention by Asmo that I had a sort of boyfriend. My first real boyfriend.

How much time had really passed?

He watched me as I stayed deep in my thoughts. He smiled genuinely. "I can take you to go see him in Skryen again, if you like."

Curiosity got the better of me. I had to know who that man was. I needed to know who helped me before. Maybe, just maybe he could help me again.

Silently, I nodded.

I took the hand he extended and in the next moment, we were at the threshold of a lavish home. Sconces were lit on either side of the large double doors. Ornate stone gargoyles were perched on either side.

I turned from the doors. "This is his home?"

Asmo nodded, placing his hands in his pockets. "Yes."

I looked at the large door knocker, a wolf head with the circular knocker held in its fangs, intimidated. "Should I knock?"

"If you want to go in, that's the custom."

I smiled at his sassy remark and let out a long breath. With the large knocker in my hand, I knocked three times.

I didn't have to wait long before someone opened the door.

An older woman who looked to be in her late thirties opened the door. Her blonde hair was up in an unkept bun with small hairs framing her face. She was dressed in green fabrics with an apron tied around her middle.

I pushed my hair out of my face and she immediately lowered her head in a low, respectful bow. "Your Majesty."

I looked back at Asmo who still stood behind me. He gave a crooked smile. Maybe she didn't know he wasn't royalty anymore.