Page 60 of A Kingdom of Wild and Power
‘It will not be long now,’ Allegra said gently, leaning closer to lay her hand over Mal’s belly.
This realm was a strange one—where bodies were not solid but half-formed, more spirit than flesh. Stranger still was how at ease Mal felt here, how the thought sometimes crept in that she might simply remain, hidden away with Allegra and Vera, far from gods and curses and blood.
But Mal Blackburn did not hide.
No.
She was a wyverian, and wyverians did not flee from their demons, especially not the ones that wore her own face and spat venom straight into her mind.
‘When the child is born,’ Mal said quietly, ‘I will place her in your care. Both of you.’ Her hand drifted to her stomach, protective, resolute. ‘She will be safe here. Persephone cannot enter this realm. No one can except for me and Thanatos.’
Vera and Allegra exchanged a glance, unease passing silently between them.
‘And how long canweremain?’ Vera asked at last. ‘We are meant to dwell in Hell. I doubt the kings there will tolerate our absence for long.’
Mal leaned back in her chair, fingers absently tracing slowcircles over her belly. ‘Allegra’s soul should be secure enough,’ she replied. ‘I struck a bargain with the king of Hell. As long as my sister Makaria remains trapped beneath his claws, Allegra is spared.’ She caught the way Allegra stiffened. ‘Second thoughts?’
‘I did not choose this path,’ Allegra said, her voice low.
‘No,’ Mal agreed, tilting her head. ‘You did not. But would you rather remain there, chained in Hell, or here?’
Allegra bit her lower lip. Mal noticed how her hands clenched, betraying the conflict she would not voice.
‘And what of me?’ Vera asked, frowning. ‘I belong in Hell as well. Yet when I died, you brought me here instead.’
Mal exhaled slowly. Vera was right. She had broken the rules the moment she had slain the witch within the realm of shadows. ‘I do not yet know what fate holds for you,’ Mal admitted. ‘Perhaps Hell will open its gates and its kings will come for us all. But until that day arrives, we will not borrow trouble from tomorrow.’ Her stare hardened. ‘First, we deal with Persephone. Once her crown is mine, bargaining with Hell will become far… simpler.’
‘And how do you intend to rid yourself of Persephone?’ Allegra asked.
‘She will not set foot on mortal soil,’ Mal replied calmly. ‘Not where I could kill her.’
‘What if Makaria were taken to the mortal realm?’ Vera suggested.
‘I doubt it would succeed.’ Mal twined a strand of black hair around her finger, the gesture betraying her unease. ‘She would send Thanatos to retrieve Makaria. She would never risk herself. And the moment Makaria leaves Hell, Allegra would be dragged back in her place.’
‘I will have to return one day,’ Allegra said softly, the words barely more than a breath.
Mal paused, a faint crease forming between her brows. ‘Perhaps…’
‘Why does it matter to you if I remain here?’ Allegra pressed, distrust tightening her features. ‘We were never friends. You owe me nothing.’
‘That much is true,’ Mal said evenly. ‘But you can help me master my witchcraft. And I need you both to care for my child. If one of you should fall, the other must be there to take her place.’
‘So we are kept here merely to serve you.’
Mal caught the way Vera’s eyes narrowed at her sister’s tone and let out a quiet, humourless laugh. ‘I will soon be queen of the Underworld. Of course you will serve me. Everyone will.’ She exhaled, then glanced at Vera. ‘But I would rather think of you both as… allies.’
Vera inclined her head, once, in silent agreement.
‘Do you not feel remorse for your sister?’ Allegra asked.
Mal tilted her head, thoughtful. She had thought of Makaria countless times since leaving her in Hell. At first, the guilt had been sharp, almost unbearable. But the moment Persephone had revealed the truth about Mal, about who she was, that guilt had withered into something colder. ‘They lied to me,’ she said quietly. ‘All of them. Everyone knew the truth long before I did. They knew me already, and still they chose deceit. Zagreus, Makaria, Thanatos, Hades…every single one of them pretended we had never met.’ Her gaze hardened as it settled on Vera and Allegra. ‘Makaria could have warned me. She could have told me the truth. Instead, she stayed silent. So no. No, I do not feel sorry that she is trapped in Hell.’
Both witches inclined their heads slowly, accepting her words without protest.
After a moment’s quiet, Allegra spoke again. ‘And what ofAsh? I doubt he will allow you to bring the child here.’
‘If my daughter is safe here,’ Mal replied, her voice steady, ‘he will not object.’
