lily harper 04.5 - the bladesmith Read Free Page B

alternative,” I replied flatly. “Ah warned ye. Ah told ye ye were losin’ control, that ye were lettin’ the darkness take oover. Boot ye didnae listen. Instead ye tried tae end meh so, aye, Ah had nae alternative.”
    “There is always an alternative,” she barked at me, her eyes raging with something fierce and wild. Perhaps it was anger. “You and I were meant to be together, bladesmith, you know that as well as I do,” she hissed. Taking the few steps that separated us, she leaned down on her haunches, gripping my chin and forcing me to look at her.
    “There is nae sooch ah thing as fate or destiny,” I replied, returning her glare. “Ah was never meant tae be with naeone.”
    She didn’t respond, but there was something in her eyes that revealed not only her rage, but also her sadness. “We were happy together,” she said simply as she released my chin. She continued to ensnare me with her eyes. “We ruled the Underground City … and together, there wasn’t anything we couldn’t accomplish.”
    My stomach churned as the words emptied from her mouth. They were said in Lily’s voice and they came from Lily’s lips. But it was the words, themselves, that caused me some level of chagrin. The reason being that this information was something I had never shared with Lily before. As it was, I could not help but wonder whether she was privy to our conversation or not.
    “Oh, come now,” Persephone said with a feigned laugh as she pulled away from me. “You suddenly look like you’ve seen a ghost!” Her left eyebrow rose as she continued to study me. “Ah, I am beginning to understand,” she said as she started to nod in earnest. “You never told the girl that you were the Master of the Underground City before Alaire, did you?” She didn’t wait for me to respond, but sighed dramatically. “No, you did not. I can see as much by the shocked expression in your eyes.”
    Much though I did not want to admit it, what Persephone said was true. All of it. My title of Master of the Underground City was one I had proudly held for centuries. It was also the biggest secret I had kept from Lily. Of course, I wanted to tell her. There were moments when the need to tell her grew all-encompassing, and the truth was right on the tip of my tongue … But I never mustered my courage long enough to actually deliver the words. I never was able to tell Lily how scarred and despicable I really was.
    I could never tell Lily the truth because I was afraid. I couldn’t fathom seeing the disappointment or rejection that I was certain would be evident in her eyes. Instead, I kept all of it safely concealed and continued to live a lie. For me, it was the only way. I could not accept losing Lily, and I knew that telling her the truth would result in exactly that. Those were consequences I was not willing to accept.
    “Don’t look so out of sorts,” Persephone replied as she shook her head and frowned at me. “Your secret is safe with me,” she purred, her eyes spitting indignant fire. “The girl’s soul is weak when compared to mine. She cannot fight or resist me. In a fairly short time, I will completely possess her body. She will be nothing more than its former tenant.”
    Of course, her words only stoked the fires of rage inside me. My fury seized me, making it difficult to breathe. My hands turned into fists and I prayed for the chance to kill Persephone again. This time, I would not fail. The traces of Donnchadh’s red hot anger loomed now, however, a shadow of my own. I had to gain control of myself and calm down. I could not allow Persephone to affect me as she was.
    Best her at her own game, I thought to myself. Dinnae allow her tae win. Ye are Lily’s only chance left an’ ye moost fight fer her.
    “Ye havenae drank from meh in ah long while,” I said, forcing the words out. I was still not persuaded my blood would help aid Lily in her fight to reinstate control over her body, but I could think of nothing