Chapter twenty three

Talia found herself fighting tooth and nail to prevent herself from kissing the prince. Her head wasn’t working right and she felt weaker. Despite the chaos within her body, She still could not resist the urge to kiss him. The glow from the water distracted her for a bit and Talia attempted to speak even when her eyes spun.

“You are different from your mother. Why?”

Denys remained silent. He thought about lying. He could say gods came different but considering he had gulped down a portion that purified his thoughts minutes ago, All he got back was a nauseating rush. There was no use. He was as well going to wash royal affairs to commoners.

“I am no different. I might have been much of an ass if I wasn’t on the potion.” Denys replied.

“What potion?” Talia asked eagerly.

Denys met her gaze, bringing out an empty vial. “It purifies your thoughts. With this, You can never do or watch something wrong going on.”

“Why are you taking it?” Talia asked. She was sitting perfectly still but her mind went racing once more. Sybil once said something about a god’s urge. Was it truly in a god’s nature to be heartless?

Denys shrugged. “The trident will only rise when it wielded by a warrior of a pure heart. It is my only chance of securing the preservation of this realm.”
Talia glanced down at her fingers. The feeling of cold water rushing through her body to the tip of her fingers came and went. She took a deep breath as she tried calming her mind, unable to understand why her body felt so drained. Talia could not be certain if the sight of the water reminding her the day she nearly drowned or the aftereffect of whatever spell she had cooked up with Sybil was what was affecting her at the moment but either way, She was really feeling under the weather. It felt like a swirl of four diverse emotions ripping through her body consecutive times. She took in a deep breath just as another ripped through her. Rage.

“The potion was why you saved me, right? You used me like a tool to increase your chances of holding the trident.” Without waiting for his reply, she continued. “ I actually thought you were different… But I am not surprised, gods and their ways.”

Soon as she had said that, regret dropped in. Talia stood up, surprised she said those awful things. “I am sorry. I don’t… know what came over me.”

Denys’ mouth dropped. He got to his feet too. Staring at Talia like she was a demon or alien. “Are you alright Talia? You look pale.”

Her sight blurred and whatever spirit that had taken possession of her body told her to walk away. Limp and dizzy, Talia obeyed.

“I just need some rest. Goodnight.” Talia said, walking in whatever path she felt was closer to the halls.

Walking the quiet halls with nothing but a flimsy piece of clothing, All Talia was aware of was the sound of her breathing. It was a ragged deep breath. The room was beginning to crumble before her and only then did Talia realize something was very wrong with her. She looked down at her hands and was surprised to know that her hands were blue. Pale, just like Denys had mentioned earlier.

“Talia!” Solomon’s familiar voice reached out.

Talia could sight his figure from afar but she was just too weak to give him a reply or wave. Talia gulped and shrank to the floor just as Solomon came to her rescue. He looked worried, She could hear him promising her to get help and she believed him but then one of those swirling emotions rippling in and out of her took over once more. What Talia did next surprised them both. One palm slid up to grip the back of his head and before he could ask what the heck she was trying do. Her lips touched his. It was hard and needy and when she ended it, she felt satisfied. The numbness was gone. Talia opened her eyes to see Solomon slumped on the ground, unconscious and blue as she had been a minute ago. Without question, Talia knew she did that to him.

***
Sybil wiped off the sweat from her forehead as she inscribed the final rune. The goddess must have meant business if she wanted her to ruin the decor of her room just to learn the paternity of Talia.

“All done,” Sybil noted.

“Then let us begin. There is no time to waste.” Persephone shot back.

Sybil had to admit, She was getting worried for Talia and of course the goddess’s obsession with the girl. Sybil went over to a stool where the vial of blood was kept. Her conscience gave her quite the struggle before she could go on but Sybil had to remind herself she was part of the second realm now and one of her duties was to protect it. She heaved heavily and turned back to Persephone somewhat hoping she would call it off. Since the goddess had requested her presence, Sybil could sense the fear emitting through her. Sybil suspected the spell was just to confirm a suspicion the goddess already had before. As Sybil began the chant. She reminded herself that she was not doing it from hate. It was for allegiance and to ensure the safety of lives. She had failed someone before, She could not afford to repeat the same mistake twice.

“Krev jeji krve se ukaz.” Sybil chanted, spilling the blood in the vial unto the ground. The runes etched to the floor suddenly came alive and the spilled blood began moving on its own accord. Sybil and Persephone both drew a collective breath as the blood kept dancing around, seemingly trying to make words. Almost immediately flames, hot and blue like they had risen from the very pits of hell followed the dancing drop dutifully. The duo stepped back in horror as the flames spread around. It was hot but it did not burn a thing in the room. It just kept following the blood before it immediately died. The blood stopped walking and the glowing runes and sigils died. In its wake was hot glowing ember and it left an inscription that Sybil read.

“Hades, the god of the underworld.”