Endless Knight(90)

Whenever Death left, I was out of sorts. Missing him? I’d admitted to myself that I desired him, but could I be feeling something deeper for a man like him?

He was so often on my mind, I had little time to regret and pine for things that might have been. Though I’d reestablished contact with Matthew—sparingly—I still felt betrayed by him for looking away.

And by Jack.

Whenever Matthew popped into my head, he’d predicted more doom and gloom. At least, I thought he had. He was making less and less sense. Once it was —The lightning hides the monster.— And another time —You must slice yourself when the altar is empty.—


I’d asked him about my history with Death. His reply? —Better worry about your future. Devil is in details.— No explanation for that had been given.

Again, I’d instructed Matthew to get Jack somewhere safe, but the boy responded with gibberish. Though I’d tried to listen better, I’d grown increasingly exasperated, my head pounding. . . .

The days had been flying by. The summer-that-wasn’t waned, my seventeenth birthday nearing. The only drawback to this sanctuary was Ogen. I rarely saw him, and then only when he was tearing across the compound. I could have sworn one of his horns was even shorter.

Despite my continued uneasiness over the Devil’s fits, I felt this bleak manor was becoming—


“What are you musing about behind those pretty eyes?” Death asked in a low tone.

Without thinking, I said, “That your home is becoming mine.”


Looking like I’d slapped him, he rose, striding toward the door.

While I wondered why he was reacting like this, he grated over his shoulder, “You make me think dangerous thoughts, creature.”


Dangerous thoughts. In transition, or in turmoil? Would he now go train in the storm, burning off aggression in a frenzy?

I didn’t know how much longer we could continue like this before something gave.

40


DAY 365 A.F.

EVE OF YEAR 2


“Why did you not dance today?” Death asked.

I’d just taken a seat on his study couch, curling my feet up under me. “I didn’t sleep very well.” Yes, I’d had dreams of him almost every night, but last night I’d been bombarded by scenes so lifelike, I’d awakened confused to find myself alone.

When he sat beside me, though not too close, I swallowed hard. I wondered what he’d do if I kissed him.

He was studying my expression. Could he see my cheeks heating?

“You looked flushed. Are you ill? The mortal here worked in medicine before the Flash.”


“No, I’m fine.”


“Very well,” he said, looking unconvinced. “I wanted to tell you that I leave tonight for another trip.”


My spirits sank. “How long will you be gone?”


“Two or three days. Will you miss me, Empress?”


Not to talk with him into the night? “Yes,” I admitted. “And I’ll worry about you. I wish you wouldn’t go.”


My answer seemed to rattle him worse than my wet T-shirt had. He moved to sit behind his desk, clearing his throat before saying, “Fauna tells me you both fear Ogen when I’m away.”


“You’ve had to dock his horns again, haven’t you?”


Curt nod.

“I wouldn’t fear him as much if you removed my cuff.”


His expression darkened. “You know I can’t do that. Would it make you feel better if I locked him out of the compound?”


Best I was going to get. “Yes, thank you.”


As ever, he seemed uncomfortable with my gratitude, changing the subject. “Fauna also tells me tomorrow is your birthday.”


“I suppose it’s not a big deal for you, since you’ve had thousands of them.”


“If you ask me for a boon, perhaps I’ll provide it.”


I rose with excitement. “Like a birthday present?” I sauntered behind his desk, trespassing into his comfort zone. I hopped up on the desktop beside his chair, my thigh inches from his hand.

He clenched his fist. “I’ve warned you. I won’t be seduced.”


I said softly, “If we weren’t competitors, perhaps you could be? Why do you insist on playing this game?”


“Because it is what we were born to do.”


A non-answer. “You don’t strike me as the type who would blindly follow the dictates of some long-ago gods.”


“It is so much a part of me I wouldn’t know how to extricate myself.”


“You called me willfully na?ve, but you’re stubbornly stuck in the past. Won’t you even imagine a different future?” My temper was getting the better of me.

So was his. “I play—because there is no choice! You think I haven’t tried to upend the game?”


“You? You were one of the ones to make a truce?” My surprise appeared to infuriate him.

He shot to his feet, beginning to pace the study. “Talk of ending the game is a blasphemy—I was twice a blasphemer!”


“Don’t you, well, live for this?”