The Spider Queen

by Emma Slate

  Apparently there was a magical hierarchy, and Thane was at the top of it.

  “How does one even call for a mage?” I asked.

  “You freed one,” Thane said. “You’re linked now.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding me. Linked to you, linked to a mage, linked to all the emotions that aren’t mine after…”

  Thane frowned. “What emotions that aren’t yours? What are you talking about?”

  I glanced from Gabriel to Auri to Argentum. They were all watching me with avid curiosity, but I wasn’t comfortable admitting to relative strangers that I’d had to sacrifice Hunter. Grief lodged in my throat when I thought about it.

  When you kill a merrow, you inherit their unique talents. Hunter was extremely empathetic, and now I feel other creatures’ emotions.

  And you haven’t gone insane from that? Thane’s hand came up to gently rest on my shoulder. The other caressed the back of my neck.

  The mage I freed put up a shield in my mind. The shield came down when I died. I found a way to erect it again.

  So you’re okay?

  I smiled up at him, gripped his hand that was on my neck, and nodded.

  “You guys done?” Auri drawled. “You’re worse than two werecats.”

  Arching an eyebrow, I let out a chuckle. “Werecats?”

  “If you see them in the wild while they’re in heat, run,” Auri suggested.

  “Noted.” I looked to Thane. “So. How do I call the mage?”

  Chapter 50

  I dug deep inside and discovered the wispy thread linking me to the mage. I asked my spiders to carry a message asking for his help.

  After the mental letter had been delivered, the mage appeared almost immediately. He looked healthy: his skin flushed dusky rose, his cheeks no longer hollow, shiny dark brown curls. If not for the coldness of his eyes, I would’ve found him attractive. But he’d been the one to demand Hunter’s life as payment to unpetrify Thane. For that I would never like him.

  He bowed ever so slightly. “You asked for me, my Queen?”

  I balked at the title. “Queen? Call me Poppy.”

  “As you wish.” He cocked his head to the side and pressed his hands together. “What may I do for you?”

  “I need you to ward the entrance of Hell. We need Lucifer contained.”

  The mage’s gaze remained on me, despite the fact that Thane stood by my side. The dragon shifters and the fallen angel were a few feet behind us, guarding our backs. Their presence was a comfort.

  “I’d be honored to ward the entrance to Hell for you.” He bowed slightly and then stalked away, heading for the River Styx.

  “Why does he talk to me like that?” I asked. When I’d freed him, the mage hadn’t appeared to have had a subservient bone in his body. But now his actions and tone were bordering on obsequious.

  “You freed him from his imprisonment,” Thane said softly. “It inspires loyalty.”

  I looked up at him. “I freed you and you’re not subservient.”

  The corner of his mouth pulled up into a devilish smile. “A little upset about that?” He leaned over to whisper in my ear. “Want me to get on my knees before you, Poppy? To lick your—”

  “What’s he doing?” Auri asked, interrupting our moment.

  The mage was bent over at the bank, his hands under the water. His mouth was moving, and his eyes were closed. As he continued to chant, eddies and currents began to splash and crash against the grassy, muddy sides. Finally, the river stilled, and the mage removed his hands. He stood up and returned to the five of us.

  “I’ve warded the entrance to Hell,” he said. “However, Lucifer is not there.”

  “Not there?” I asked, a frown furrowing my brow. “How can that be?”

  “He must’ve left when he realized he wasn’t going to win the battle,” Gabriel answered, his tone dark. Rage was back in his voice, and I could only imagine what it would mean when he took that information back to Lux and the other angels.

  “So where is he?” Auri demanded.

  The mage shrugged, appearing unperturbed. “Cannot say. I didn’t ward the entrance to Hell shut, but I did ward it so that when Lucifer returns, we will know.”

  “A magical tripwire?” I asked. “Clever.”

  The mage bowed and smiled. “Once he trips the magical wire”—he winked—“he will be incarcerated in his own domain, unable to leave unless I release him.”

  “He won’t like that,” Thane muttered.

  “He has two choices then,” Argentum stated. “Live in exile or live as a prisoner.”

  “There is a third option,” Gabriel interjected. “Kill the mage and break the spell.”

  The mage interjected, “And on that note, I think it’s time I did some traveling. If my Queen has any more need of me…”

  I shook my head.

  With a dramatic sweep of his robe, he disappeared.

  “How did he do that?” Auri breathed in awe.

  “He ripped open the fabric of space and moved through it,” Thane explained.

  “Mages.” Argentum shook his head. “There’s nothing to do but wait, I guess.”

  “I’ll report to Lux who will give a report to the Big Guy. No doubt, he’ll send a trusted few to find his brother,” Gabriel said.

  “What will he do if they find Lucifer?” I wondered aloud. “Punish him for his wrong doings?” I could only hope. Maybe that would mean Thane and I would escape without having to owe Lucifer anything.

  “Probably not.” Gabriel shrugged. “There has always been a check and balance system. Good cannot exist without evil.”

  “Lucifer keeps things interesting,” Auri commented. “You guys ready to go home?”

  Home.

  I looked at Thane. His smile was soft, but his eyes were dark with sensual promise. My heartbeat pumped in my chest like I’d been running for miles. I wanted to reach for him, even now, even after the lust-filled night we’d had together.

  “I have no idea how long it will take me to have a meeting with Lux, not to mention bringing the first wave of souls to you. Should we say three hours? Will that give you enough time to get back to your domain?” Gabriel asked.

  “That’s entirely up to Auri,” Thane said.

  She tossed glossy gold hair over her shoulder. “It won’t take that long to get back.”

  Gabriel arched an eyebrow. “Someone is a bit arrogant.”

  Auri flashed a grin, her eyes lit with humor and pride. “I’ve got the goods to back it up.”

  Gabriel’s eyes dipped down her body. “That you do.”

  “For the love of—” Argentum growled. “Is everyone in the throes of heat?”

  Auri pressed her fingers to her wrist. “Nope. Not fertile yet. Few more months, it seems.” She looked at me. “Dragons have a cycle once a year.”

  “Fascinating,” I said. I wanted to ask a million questions about dragons and how they came into creation.

  Thane’s arm came around me. “You both can talk about your cycles later. Once we get back to my fortress.”

  I wrinkled my nose. I hadn’t had a period since I’d changed. I wasn’t sure what that meant.

  How does immortal fertility work?

  For you? Or for others?

  For me.

  Thane didn’t answer. Instead, he gestured with his chin. Auri and Argentum moved back, away from camp to shift. A cloud of gold, shimmery air circled Auri, hiding her body from view. When the cloud disappeared, her dragon form appeared, all gold scales, sharp claws, and humorous eyes.

  Her brother’s cloud was silver, and his dragon form was a little bit larger and silver-scaled. He nipped at her shoulder in brotherly affection. She nipped back, and then Argentum took off into the sky.

  “Where’s he going?” I asked.

  “To their family lair, I imagine,” Gabriel said. “I wish he would come with me to Heaven to transport souls.”

  “I’m sure if you asked nicely, Argentum and his family would lend
a helping hand—er claw.” Thane grinned.

  I shot him a look. His sense of humor still surprised me.

  Gabriel rolled his eyes. With a wave of his hand goodbye, his wings unfurled, fluttered, and then he was sky born.

  “I wonder if I’ll ever get used to seeing stuff like this,” I said with a shake of my head.

  “Sure. After a while, you’ll be desensitized.” He took my hand and led me toward Auri.

  “I hope not,” I said. “That would mean I was taking it for granted. And this—all of this—is pretty marvelous.”

  Thane grinned. “As are you, my love.”

  Chapter 51

  “This is the coolest thing ever!” I yelled. My hair was whipping behind me, no doubt lashing Thane in the face as we soared high in the clouds over Purgatory.

  Auri let out a huff and smoke shot out of her nostrils.

  “I think that means she agrees,” Thane yelled back. His arms were around me, and I was nestled between his powerful legs.

  Auri’s gold-scaled wings flapped, cutting through the air. She was marvelous. I stroked her neck to thank her for her generosity in taking us home, but also in thanks for the spectacle I was witnessing.

  We flew over the Desert of the Forgotten, and I shuddered when I saw the tawny sand dunes slide and morph. Dark specks below, too small to be desert scorpions, trekked across the soft sand.

  I wondered if they were the desert soldiers made of iron. But I didn’t ask Thane because I didn’t want to think about the desert ever again.

  We soared over forests and swamps, mountains and valleys. It was a dangerous sort of beauty, one I hoped to one day explore. With Thane by my side.

  His hand snaked around my belly, and he let it rest there. It was comforting, warm. Solid.

  I’ve been wondering something.

  Go on.

  Queen Aisling said you’d never sacrifice yourself for me. But clearly she was wrong. You were petrified in place of me.

  I felt Thane pause, obviously choosing his words. Sacrifice looks different for everyone. I knew I had to be the one to absorb the magic spell. Because the prophecy stated it was you who would be the one to turn the tide of the battle. Not me. But, even if that hadn’t been the case—even if I’d been given the choice to sacrifice myself for you, I would have. In a heartbeat.

  But you’re Guardian of the Bridge. You couldn’t have done that.

  I always thought I would’ve chosen my duty and obligation. But I would’ve saved you, Poppy. Even at the cost of being Guardian.

  I let his words sink in. But what would’ve happened if you had died? What would’ve become of the Guardian?

  I’m not sure. The obligation might’ve passed to you. It might’ve passed to another. The Guardian is chosen. I was chosen over Xan.

  But you said a woman has never been Guardian.

  Magic is fluid. There are rules, yes. But it adapts. It finds a way. When one Guardian dies, another takes its place. It just so happens that my father’s line continued on.

  Xan didn’t want to be Guardian, I said in realization. He wanted something else.

  Xan wanted power. His deal with Lucifer was all about power. Sure, Xan wanted me out of the way, but he didn’t kill me when he had the chance. All those years ago, when I was imprisoned, he chose not to kill me, and he absolutely could have.

  So why didn’t he kill you?

  Because he wanted me to suffer. Because he wanted to cause trouble. His end game was never about being Guardian. It was about besting me. And you can’t torture a dead man.

  I’m sorry.

  Magic, power, greed, jealousy—it corrupts those with already corruptible hearts. Xan was weak. He was destined to be lesser.

  I’m still sorry. You shared a womb. You were more than brothers. You were best friends. I’m sorry you had to be the one to stop him.

  I’m sorry you had to be the one to kill the man you once loved. I’m sorry I couldn’t spare you that pain.

  I leaned back against him and turned my face up to his. As the wind flogged my cheeks, I closed my eyes and touched my lips to his.

  Though I was immortal now, I couldn’t ever imagine the guilt over Hunter’s death fading with time. So I’d learn to live with it.

  Thane leaned back but kept his arms tight around me. I don’t think you’ll ever know how much I love you.

  I do.

  I waited for you. For thousands of years. You were my destiny, Poppy.

  Auri dipped through the clouds to reveal Thane’s fortress made of black stone turrets and gothic archways. I’d never seen it before—when Thane and I had begun our journey, wards hid his citadel the moment we left the safety of his land. I hadn’t expected it to look like this, a dark castle that was nestled among green hills with a tropical jungle flanking one side. A beach with white sand and gentle lapping waves of the ocean was on the other.

  You said nothing about beach living.

  Thane chuckled. Must’ve gotten lost in the midst of all the other stuff—like saving the world.

  I forgive you.

  Auri swooped down, circled the courtyard, and then landed. She released the dragon spell that anchored us to her. Thane slid down her side and then reached up to help me dismount. Even when my feet were on the cobblestone, he didn’t let go of me.

  We backed up, giving Auri room to transform. She was naked in her human body, but her long, golden hair dropped past her bottom to shield her skin. Though it was probably more for our benefit than hers. Auri wasn’t modest. Come to think of it, most of the magical beings I’d met had no issue with nudity.

  Auri smiled. “The one downside to being a dragon.”

  “I don’t think it’s a downside,” I said with a dry laugh. “I’m sure there are those that appreciate the view. Like Gabriel for instance.”

  She snorted. “That fallen angel is too busy trying to be on top to usually realize I’m walking around nude.”

  Thane coughed to cover his laugh. “Don’t let him hear you say that. The fallen angel has pride issues.”

  Auri’s eyes flashed with wicked devilment. “Why do you think I put up such a good fight, but then inevitably give in? The man is truly delicious. Don’t you think?” She addressed the question to me, clearly not caring that I was pledged to Thane—now and forever.

  “I think I’ll abstain from answering.”

  Thane’s grip on my hip tightened. “Wise decision.”

  Auri sighed. “I don’t know if I envy you or pity you.”

  “Pity us?” Thane remarked in surprise. “What makes you say that?”

  “Immortal monogamy. Seems kind of boring.” On that pronouncement, Auri turned and flounced toward the door, long gold hair streaming behind her.

  I looked up at Thane. “She might have a point. How do you keep sex interesting for thousands of years with the same partner?”

  His eyes flashed. “Stick around and I’ll show you.”

  Chapter 52

  “Where does she think she’s going?” I asked in amusement as we followed Auri through the ebony-floored hallway. Magic torches flared, and bright light filled the long space.

  “Her family and my family are old friends.”

  I looked at him. Our hands were linked, and he didn’t seem inclined to let me go. “Old friends?”

  He smirked. “There might have been a betrothal. Many generations back. Way back. Nothing came of it. Luckily it didn’t spark a feud. And to this day we remain friends.”

  Where were they when Xan got out of control?

  The dragons had their own issues—the dragon king died, and there was no rightful succession. Auri and Argentum’s mother eventually won the crown. But it took years and far too much blood.

  Will I get history lessons? And diagrams?

  Thane smiled. And sword lessons. You won’t always want to fight in your spider form.

  And here I thought as a twenty-one-year-old college dropout, the lessons would stop.

  He didn’t laugh like I
expected him to.

  What?

  You gave up a lot to be with me. I sometimes forget you had an entire life of your own. Your own dreams, your own interests. I yanked you out of it. I’m sorry.

  It was my turn to fall silent, but then I squeezed his hand. I don’t think about the things I’ve given up. Not really.

  No?

  I think about all the things I’ve gained.

  His shoulders relaxed, and he brought our joined hands to his lips. “Auri! I think it might be time to find you some clothes!”

  “Where do you think I’m going?” she called back.

  “The kitchen!”

  Auri’s peals of laughter echoed down the hall.

  “You have a kitchen?” I asked. “Where they cook food?”

  He raised an eyebrow. “You don’t really think food just appears before you?”

  “Uh, yeah.” I thought about the night we’d had dinner together in the castle dining room. Plates had appeared in clouds of smoke.

  Thane winked. “Just a sleight of hand, really.”

  I shook my head in amazement.

  “What? I’m a normal man. With a few magical powers.”

  “Right,” I said on a laugh. “Normal.”

  The hallway ended to spill out into a cavernous room. The ebony stone floor had an arachnid carving in the center. On a raised platform sat two thrones, both carved of the same black stone as the walls. Torchlight reflected off the backs. I shivered in awareness. There was power here.

  “Ugh, this room gives me the creeps.” Auri glanced around.

  “Then maybe you should leave it,” Thane teased. He pointed to a door off to the left. “Your guest room. Ask for anything you need. My servants will attend you.”

  “Well, doesn’t that sound intriguing? Send Gabriel to me when he’s done aiding you,” she commanded.

  “This is what you get for having a dragon princess as one of your closest friends.”

  Auri rolled her eyes. “And yet you refuse to show me the respect I am due.”

  Thane bowed mockingly.

  She laughed and then sauntered to the door. “Are we going to share a meal later?” Her eyes went from Thane’s to mine.