The Scion Of Nyx

XII

Eulalia

⚭

"You did what?!" Acheron shouted out me, voice raised. He nearly choked on his lunch, as we dined in the drawing room of our apartments. A vein bulged from his neck, his jaw grit so hard I was afraid he would fracture the bone itself. I pursed my lips, refraining from responding. I had driven the queen's general nearly to cardiac arrest. I needed not to make it worse.

Acheron was not pleased with how I had handled the incident with the prince. I had only informed him, because I knew there would be repercussions for my actions. It was better that I had the support of Acheron, than face the prince alone.

"You have now made yourself a target. You have now given the prince motive to hurt you" Acheron seethed at me. I blinked at the ludicrous statement.

Hurt me? I thought back to Paris, laying in his cold, unmarked grave, so far from the sun. No. Nobody could hurt me now.

I shook my head at the memory, my eyes glazing over, "He can not hurt me in any way that matters"

As if sensing the shift in my mood, Geenie pranced over, placing her hands over my shoulder blades and attempting to ease the knot from my neck.

"Do not cause her needless stress. She must prepare for her training, and needs all her best sanity for it" She chided Acheron. Making a face she slowly removed the vial of royal blood off of my neck, from where it was hidden under my collar. She refrained from touching the glass, as though it were a disgusting, cursed specimen. Her repulsion towards it was apparent.

I quickly snatched the vial from her, hiding it from Acherons sight. He would kill me if he learned I was harboring the princes blood as well, on top of the assault.

"What training?" I asked, "I am tried of training"

"You will begin your training with the Dark Sisters, now that we are in the capital" Acheron said to me, his voice low. The lights in the room flickered with my mood, dimming slightly. I glanced at him, partially confused, partially suspicious. Mostly I was tired, and wanted rest.

"Training for what?" I asked him again. I dragged my fingers through my short hair, still unaccustomed to its fresh length, ending just below the ears. Just hours ago it had been long and heavy. Now my head moved freely, with no extra weight.

"Your magic" He grumbled out at me, continuing to chew his bread . His shoulders were hunched, in just his cotton under-shirt. Acheron did not provide any more clarification.

Instead, I asked him, "What are the Dark Sisters?"

"Your kind. The mortal chosen and the blessed of the queen. The blood witch. Rowena" He grumbled out, rubbing his eyes in exhaustion that I could well relate to, "She will be there to train you"

I sprung up instantly, "I refuse"

"I did not ask" He responded just as quick. I was glad I had impulsively cut my hair short again, now ready for quick movements and easy battle.

"I will not comply. I will give you Hell if you force me to be near that traitor. Unless you want me to make another attempt on my life, I demand something in return" I tried to barter with him, an idea coming to mind. As if sensing my intent, he sat up, already cautious.

"What do you wish?" He asked. I did not ask for the books outright, instead attempting to misdirect him with my intentions. I needed to believe him I was acting on frivolous, childish desires, besides plotting.

"I wish to see Beastly" I stated.

"No. Only the queen can provide you that. You must earn it with your behavior" Acheron stated. I was not put-out, predicting the answer.