she was down in Hell in the first place. For all of those on my council, as a matter of trust, I needed to know about their history. After all, knowledge was power, and to be forewarned of any issues that may arise in the future would only aid me further in dealing with them.
As for Nero, she had made the ultimate sacrifice when saving my Chosen One and it was one that, even with my blood and saving her life, I still didn't know if I would ever be able to repay such a debt.
Thoughts of the future was all I had whilst she continued to drink down my blood. That and some small comfort knowing that Amelia was at least safer now being on that boat. After all, any ferryman was charged with safe passage, which meant their cargo was their responsibility and that meant arriving at its destination in the same state of living as when picked up.
The moment I knew that she'd had enough was when I tapped the side of her cheek, one that now had some more colour to it. Then I told her as softly as possible,
“That's enough, or before long I'll be lying next to you to take a nap and I know of a particular Wyvern who is anxious to see you.” At the mention of Vern, she winced, and it was not the happy expression I would have expected to see. There was no light in her eyes in anticipation and glee, but only apprehension. I was curious to know why before she beat me to the question, with her explanation,
“It no longer matters.” I only needed to raise a brow before she continued,
“No offence, but he doesn't particularly like vampires.” My lips twitched because hearing this piece of information wasn’t exactly a shock, for I had never set out to be a King people actually liked. Therefore, I couldn't give a fuck about his thoughts towards me, but as for the witch’s life I had just saved, it obviously did matter, and I took the knowledge of this seriously enough to have care in the next few words I told her,
“If that is the case and it is something he cannot move past, then you must be the one to move and if he does not chase you down and claim you, then he is the one not worthy.” Her eyes widened at this as if she was surprised such a philosophy had come out of my mouth. But then again I was the famous tyrant King, and up until now she had thought me to be one without a heart.
After this I tended to her wounds whilst she told me snippets of what had happened. Parts of this I already knew from what the connection with the Eye had shown me the moment Amelia had touched it. But everything after that moment, I hadn't seen. I couldn't help but grin when I heard about how she had taken on the Harpy Queen single-handedly and how first before taking on the horde, she had pushed Nero down the well. Doing so and letting her fall to protect her before my girl could unleash Hell. Truthfully, I couldn't have been more fucking proud of her and I could barely wait until I got the chance to be able to tell her so.
Unfortunately, knowing that she was on a boat currently sailing down the flaming river, Phlegethon, meant there was little I could do about it until she reached the other side, for only the boatman could crossover freely into the other realms. Or if those realms with free treaties held in place were agreed upon with the surrounding kingdoms, then their people could also cross freely. However, I held no such treaty, therefore it was physically impossible for me to crossover unless I found the right portal. This was so that when my kind travelled to different realms using portals it meant arriving at checkpoints and in its basic form, it was the equivalent of arriving in different countries around the human realm.
Of course, there were always those who could find a way, the right witch or mage for example. Ones who could summon a portal if they were powerful enough, although how stable it would be I didn't know. But that was up to the individual taking the chance that they didn't end up somewhere they really didn't wish to be. No, the only chance I had known was