“I will and you know it. Unless you don’t wish a child or grandchild. In which case, toss me over, I dare you.”
Connor releases his hold and steps away. “Damn you, Aldred.”
“That’s a foregone conclusion, I’m afraid.” Aldred rocks back on his heels. “Back to my question. Will I be first to speak?”
“Aldred!”
“You don’t want to be on my bad side. Now, more than ever.”
“I’ll consider the proposal.” Turning around, Connor starts to march off again, more quickly this time.
“Oh, and Connor?”
“What?”
“I’d also like that trade contract for the Incaenda. Future in-laws and all that.”
“That’s traditionally gone to Kamal.”
“Now, it goes to me.”
Rage tightens Connor’s features. “Don’t push me.”
“Connor,” says Aldred slyly. “What else is family for?”
There’s almost an audible snap as Connor’s resolve breaks apart. He starts to chortle in that fake carefree way that I used to find so irritating. “You’re a scoundrel, make no mistake, Aldred! But yes, you’re family. We’ll speak more of this later.”
“Yes,” says Aldred slowly. “We surely will.”
Connor and Aldred step away from the clearing, leaving Lincoln and I alone with our thoughts. Right now, mine are pretty fucked up.
“How did you enjoy the show?” asks the present-day Sakura.
Lincoln ignores the question. “I’m ready for your offer now. You seem to enjoy making bargains with my family.”
“Why, yes,” Sakura says sweetly. “Yes, I do.” She exhales a long breath, and a great mist leaves her lips. When the haze clears, the jungle is gone and the three of us are once again seated around the tea table in Sakura’s pagoda. “More tea?” she asks.
I pointedly slide my teacup away from me. “Keep the tea and make your offer.”
“Connor made a blood oath against your child. Shall I reverse his actions?”
“No,” I say quickly. “Don’t listen to her. This is one crazy bitch.”
“Let’s hear her out,” says Lincoln. “This is about Maxon, after all.”
Sakura runs her slender finger along the lip of her teacup. “I’d be willing to trade your father’s soul for your son’s. The magic is the same from my side. This is your test, King of the Thrax. Your personal hell. What do you say?”
Lincoln rubs his chin slowly. I know that face. He’s seriously considering this.
“Don’t listen to her.”
“I want Maxon back.”
“I do, too, Lincoln. But this isn’t the way.”
Lincoln rounds on me. “Turnabout is fair play. Our son is with Armageddon right now. Any second, the King of Hell could start torturing him. If this could work, we have to try.”
“It will work.” Sakura pulls a bloody blade from the folds of her kimono and offers it to Lincoln. “You will live and so will your son. I’ll only make Connor pay for his deeds. What do you say?”
I grab Lincoln’s arm. My voice turns pleading. “If you do this, you’re no better than Connor.”
“I am better. This is for my son.”
“That’s exactly what Connor thought, too.”
“I’m doing this, Myla.” Lincoln’s eyes turn wild. “Maxon could be suffering right now.”
“In my Hell, I was tested, too. What would any common criminal do in this situation? And eye for an eye, right? Connor created this situation, so Connor pays for it.” I set my hands into his. “Be a better person, Lincoln. A better father. A better king. Send this bitch packing.”
“Nice speech, Your Majesty.” Sakura tosses the dagger to Lincoln who catches it, setting the blade against his palm.
“No, Lincoln. Please. I don’t want to fight you on this, but I will.”
Lincoln pauses, the blade pressed against the flesh of his palm.
Sakura leans in closer, her voice bewitching in its sing-song quality. “At this very moment, Armageddon could be torturing your boy. You have the power to free him, and yet you hesitate. What kind of man are you?”
Lincoln’s arm tenses, pressing the blade harder against his skin. Still, he doesn’t shift the edge and draw blood.
That means I have a chance.
“We have to stick with our plan, Lincoln. Don’t make the same mistake your father did. You think this is what you want, but it isn’t, really. You both desired something so badly for your child and your people, and it isn’t wrong to want for those you love. But this choice? It’ll change everything, don’t you see? You’ll become the same stooge your father was to Acca. Only instead of Aldred, you’ll answer to her.”
Lincoln meets my gaze, his eyes steely with determination. “Assuming this is real, anyway. Everything we do here could be one big illusion.”
“Perception is reality, my love. This choice in this moment? It’s real. Believe me, there will be real consequences from it, I guarantee you.” I gently set my hands on his neck. “Please.”
Lincoln meets my eyes. “Tell me we can do this. Say we can rescue Maxon without her magic.”