Page 23 of A Kingdom of Wild and Power
‘He did it to protect you.’
Mal let out a short, derisive laugh. ‘I doubt that very much.’
‘Your father is ruler of the Underworld, so—’
‘Was.’Mal cut in swiftly. She did not miss the way Adriana blanched at the correction, a reminder that she was seated across from the God-Killer.
‘He personally chose them to become the Moirai.’
‘Why them?’
Adriana glanced away, her expression tightening, as though she were recalling something she would rather bury forever.
‘To punish me.’
‘Why would he want to punish you?’
Adriana gave a brittle little laugh. ‘Have you never met yourfather?’
Mal leaned forward, eyes narrowing. ‘I have. And I know this; he never acts without reason.’
‘We are gods,’ Adriana snapped, bitterness lacing her voice. ‘We do not always need reasons to be cruel.’
Mal settled back into her chair with calculated ease. She would not push Adriana. Clearly the woman was withholding truths, as they all did. Let her keep her secrets, for now. One day, Mal would dethrone Persephone and take her place as queen of the Underworld, and then no secret would be beyond her reach.
‘We leave tonight. North,’ Mal said, steering the conversation away. She noticed the subtle way Adriana’s shoulders eased with relief.
‘Ash informed us,’ Adriana replied. ‘We’ll remain here for your father’s return.’
Mal tapped her fingers against the cold stone of the table, mind drifting, attention flicking briefly to the creature lurking in the shadows with its silent grin.
‘Ensure my father does not move the army until I return,’ she said. ‘The wyverian forces alone will not suffice.’
Adriana nodded.
Mal rose, standing over the woman she had believed a friend her whole life. Yet it seemed, as always, that everyone had lied to her.
‘Eris will come for you,’ Adriana warned, her black eyes darkening with unease.
‘I’m sure she will.’
‘We will try to stop her.’
Mal resisted the urge to smile, though the satisfaction was difficult to suppress. ‘Don’t trouble yourselves. Send her to me.’
Adriana’s eyes widened.
‘But—’
‘These are mortal grounds,’ Mal said, already turning away. ‘I am the God-Killer. I’ve slain her once. I will do it again. This time for good.’
Adriana nodded, though her expression betrayed little confidence.
‘When will you return?’ she asked quietly.
Mal paused at the threshold, casting Adriana one final glance before walkingout.
‘After my daughter is born.’
