Queen Ascending (Ace of Queens #2)

Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Two days and two nights passed without any words or signs from the faiths. Xavier dreaded everyday. He hated the vacant look in Rye's eyes and the sullen expression on Exton's face. His own heart ached to hold Mavi in his arms again and to hear her laugh.

The little girl had become his whole life. He wanted to shield her from all the evil in the world and protect her at all cost. He died a thousand times just knowing she was in Azazel's arms.

Xavier's guards closed in on the castle everyday. They were relentless. Not a single bird could fly away from the place without one of Xavier's men knowing.

Azazel used all her power to hold Gemma down. She grew paranoid as she laid awake at night thinking about what Gemma was up to. Gemma had never shut her out before. Azazel had been with the girl since she was a child and suddenly it was as if she didn't know her at all.

Gemma conserved her energy. She didn't fight Azazel anymore. Once she had returned from visiting Exton, she voluntarily slipped back to the edge of her mind and watched.

Everyone played the waiting game.

Xavier all but lost his patience by the third day. He had made up his mind to visit the faiths again when Tobias appeared out of the blue.

"The faiths have answered your call," he said.

Everyone gathered in the throne room and took a seat around the table. For the first time in days, Rye joined them too. Caspian frowned as he took in her sight. Her face was pale and lifeless, her eyes deep with sorrow and pain. Before Tobias started, Caspian pulled Rye into a hug and whispered in her ear.

"We will bring her home."

Rye nodded as she tried not to break down again. She walked over to Xavier and took a seat beside him.

All eyes were on Tobias as he pulled out a navy blue cloth. He placed the cloth on the table and unwrapped the fabric.

Inside was a foot long dagger. The handle was gold and sparkled under the sunlight that seeped in through the windows. The blade was unlike anything anyone had ever seen. It sparkled like ice.

Arion's mouth watered as he stared at the blade, "Is that..." He couldn't finish.

"Back off you greedy bitch," Basil whispered to him.

"The blade is made of diamond, the hardest stone on earth." Tobias confirmed. "The gods have forged it and the faiths have blessed it."

"Will it work?" Basil asked.

"We stick it through her heart and that should do the trick," Tobias nodded.

"But of course when Gemma is not her host," Caspian clarified. "We can't forget about that part."

Tobias turned to Xavier and passed him the dagger. "Use it wisely."

Xavier stared at the weapon before his eyes moved to Exton. He prayed to the gods he wouldn't have to lose one of his children while trying to save the other. As if Rye could sense his internal battle, she placed her hand upon his under the table and gave it a squeeze.

I love you, She mind linked him.

I love you so much more, Xavier linked back as he sighed.

"Alright," He said with a deep inhale. "We have the weapon...now how do we find Hector?"

Everyone's eyes snapped back to Tobias.