Queen of Chaos (Legacy of the Nine Realms, #5)(20)
“What does that mean for Aria?” I demanded, as emotion shot through me. Fear of losing her after I’d finally learned to see more than my anger. I’d never craved to be bound to anyone. Definitely not as badly as I wanted Aria to be tethered to me.
“It means, you dolt, that she’s destined to discover who she is and then, once she has, whoever is connected to her will grasp onto the thread. Once they do, it will either intertwine their destinies and souls together, or create inner turmoil until both rip it from their souls to free themselves of the connection. The Norns were both malevolent and benevolent maidens. Which one answered Scylla’s call remains unknown.”
“Are you telling me Scylla was unaware of which type of Norn answered her fucking plea before she sacrificed God only knows what in order to create Aria?” If that were true, it meant Aria could be malevolent, as well. If what Greer said was factual, it meant she might turn into the monster the Nine Realms feared she’d become. Which would leave us with a new, stronger, more calculated monster running rampant through the world.
“It’s impossible to know which type answered her call. I can tell you that the malevolent Norns enjoyed causing tragic events, while the benevolent Norns were both kind and protective. If you’re asking if either taints Aria, then the answer is no. She’s neither. That girl is the monster you and others created. They couldn’t influence her any more than I could. Who and what they are isn’t the issue at hand. It’s who they twined the thread of fate to, which should worry you the most. If the latter of the two held the thread, then Aria would know much more tragedy before she unravels it, severing the thread. Aria will have to decide whether she wants to intertwine her fate with someone else or cut the thread that connects them together. But if Aria breaks the thread, she may lose her own life.”
The blood humming through my veins stilled, then began thundering in my head. I wouldn’t allow her to cut shit if it ended her life. Nothing was worth that happening, even if it meant abandoning her. I wanted her with every fiber of my being. I knew I didn’t deserve her after the shit I’d done to her, but I planned to do whatever it took to ensure she remained mine. Unless the cost was her life.
Without that girl, the world held no value to me. I’d rather watch it burn to ashes than live without her light burning within the realms. If given the choice between her life, and saving this world? I’d choose her. If I couldn’t have her, so be it, then. I’d walk away to ensure she survived at all costs, even my happiness. I had been raised to become a king since I came into this world. But it had also forced me to sacrifice what I wanted for most of my life. It was ruled by a fundamental element, all pertaining to my reign. As king, my wishes and wants came dead last to the entire kingdoms. They had taught me that since my father had told me what would be expected of me. She’d be another thing I’d sacrificed for the greater good.
“Stop that,” Greer growled, forcing me out of my mind. “You haven’t lost her yet. I doubt you can easily sway her to give you up. The difference here is, you’re both fighting for one another. Aria didn’t leave you for another, Knox. She left to discover who she was and where she came from. Don’t you give up on her merely because you’re uncertain if she’ll end up tethered to another? I doubt she’d ever allow anyone other than herself to choose her path, let alone a preordained destiny not of her own making. That thread? It doesn’t attach to her pussy, either. It’s merely a connection, one she’ll decide how deeply embedded into her soul she’ll allow it to touch or link with.”
Greer stood, then sauntered to the whiskey where he poured himself two fingers of bourbon. Swirling it in his glass, he sniffed the amber liquid before pegging me with an arrogant stare.
“The issue at hand is this: Time isn’t the same between their realm and ours. There’s no telling exactly how much time has passed there. I’d also advise you to worry about her brothers. Not all will be so willing to step aside and let the youngest daughter of the Prometheus bloodline sit upon their throne.”
His words forced tension to fill the space we occupied within the library. A quick glance at both Killian and Brander told me they’d felt the same fear churning within them as I did. Lore, on the other hand, was Lore. His eyes lifted as they met mine, then slid to Greer, who frowned as Lore’s brows shot up and a smirk pulled up the corners of his lips. Then he broke the silence with the question churning through all our minds.
“So, how do we get my girl back? Daddy needs to be sure his future baby momma is safe. Can’t have her having all the fun, either. I mean, I get she needed to do this, even if it was a stupid idea. But think about this, gents. If Daddy Lore rides in on a stallion to save the pretty princess? Shit, Aria may saddle up and ride me like a cowgirl in reverse while milking my balls,” Lore stated as he turned his head to peer at a picture of the magazine he held. “I don’t know who this Marilyn Monroe is, but baby girl is on fire! Bet she’d be fun between the sheets. Think she’s still single? Because I’m going to be honest here, I wouldn’t mind rolling around with her. Hell, I don’t even care if it’s in the grass or mud.”
My palm scrubbed over my face at his inability to stay on one subject. Lore was much younger than the rest of us, but his brain had its own thought process, which bordered on chaos and strategic planning. Unfortunately, the former was normally holding the reins. The others chortled before tossing back their whiskey while buying time to find a polite way to break Lore’s heart.