“It’s not something you can put into words easily.” Finn assured her with a smile.
“Was it like that when you killed Death and took her mantle?” Exodus asked softly.
Finn shook his head slowly and let out a quiet sigh. “There was nothing about that experience that I would ever consider blissful. It nearly tore my body apart and the only thing my mind could focus on was what I was losing rather than what I had gained. I had no preparation for what was coming, and I wouldn’t wish that on anyone, not even an enemy.”
“If you could go back and change things would you? I mean if you could avoid gaining the mantle would you give it up?” Exodus asked quietly and he could tell by the tone of her voice what she wanted to hear.
The answer she wanted was already forming in his mind. For years he had conditioned himself to tell women whatever they wanted to get his way, but he pushed that part of himself aside and nodded slowly. “If I could have everything back I would change things without hesitation.” The blunt honesty seemed to shock her and he shrugged at her widening eyes. “I never wanted power in life and I don’t truly want it now. The only reason I am attempting to gain it is the simple fact that I don’t trust anyone else to have it. If I don’t gain the upper hand now that leaves War or Lutheron on the top of the ladder and I will not be their puppet. The only other option is to make them mine.”
“So where do we start?” Exodus asked cautiously. He had seen the flicker of hesitation on her face at his mention of puppets, but chose to ignore it. Once he had a few more of the Aspects on his side she would relax.
Finn grinned at her as he rose to his feet and offered her a hand up. Her fingers were warm in his grip and he felt a brief flash of lust rise once more. “A trip to a fest hall I think. There is a man I’d very much like to play a round of cards with.” He answered as he pushed away the urge to pull her closer. I’ve been alone far too long. He realized grimly but let nothing of his inner turmoil to show on his face.
“Fortune then.” Exodus agreed with a smile and nodded her approval at the suggestion. If she noticed anything amiss with him she didn’t give any indication. “Are you sure you want to leave your domain? I could speak with him for you.”
“Seth is here. Everything will be fine.” Finn assured her and winked. “You were the first Aspect I offered the vial to, not the first friend. Seth was more than capable of handling anything in my domain before he drank the blood. Now nothing here has a bloody prayer against him.”
Exodus blanched a bit and nodded quickly. “He was terrifying before.” She agreed quietly.
“To everyone but me.” Finn sighed and waved a hand toward the twilight darkened sky above them. “Shall we? I could really use something to drink.”
Chapter 12
Sanctuary
Pale sunlight filtered through the strands making the droplets of dew sparkle like jewels scattered across the web. Remedy admired the effect for little more than a breath before his attention was drawn back to Azashy. She stood just on the other side of the web with adoration filling her dark eyes and a faint smile creasing her full lips. Her eyes traced the path of the spider as it climbed further up its maze of silk and for a moment she seemed oblivious to his company.
He had given her full creation of the illusion they shared, and she had created a cottage at the edge of thick forest. The details on the cottage itself and the trees told him this was a real place, but he couldn’t determine what land it was. It could have been Glis, but then it could have just as easily been Faydwer or Morcath. He had thought she would create a place he knew if he gave her control, and perhaps he would be able to glean information about who she was, or where she was from. Instead she had created the cottage, and a simple spider seemed to hold her attention more than anything else around them.
“Do you see how precise everything is for them? There is no other creature like them. They are perfection of nature.” Azashy whispered. She raised a slender finger to the web and coaxed to spider onto her hand. With deliberate slowness she lowered her hand and gazed at the creature with longing. “I wish this were all real.” She whispered.
Remedy followed her gaze and frowned. “It’s as real as I can make it. I’m sorry Azashy. I’d love to be able to grant your freedom, but until I find out how the door opens I cannot release either of us.” It had taken him days before he had dared to scan her surface thoughts, and another week before he had mustered the courage to trust her enough to speak. In that time Myth had visited twice, and each time had left Azashy more wretched. If he didn’t figure out how to rescue them both soon she would give up on life. Every question she answered for Myth seemed to be a wound to her.
“I’m grateful for what you have given.” Azashy spoke softly as if she was afraid of being overheard. Her attention returned to the spider once more as the tiny creature made its way down her arm toward her elbow.
“You don’t have to whisper her Azashy. No one can hear you. It’s just like a dream and everything we say is in your mind. Unless there is a mind mage more skilled than I am nearby, everything we say is safe.” Remedy assured her. He was rather hoping it might prompt some sort of confession or confidence from her, but the expression on her face was skeptical.