Bride of the Emperor (The Prophecy of Sisters Book 4) by Hayley Faiman (the gingerbread man read aloud txt) 📗

throwing a plain gown in my direction. I don’t ask how they got here, assuming that I’m actually in Curia, since this place seems so much like the place where I was held a few months ago.

Slipping the gown on, I don’t question it at all. I’m happy to be covered. Watching them, I don’t speak first, waiting to see what they’re going to say, knowing by the sneers that they have plenty to say.

“I say we play with her until he returns,” one of them announces.

I shiver in disgust thinking about them playing with me. I don’t know what Aeliana was doing when she was playing with Decima, but it did not look like fun. It’s nothing that I want anything to do with. In fact, I don’t want a damn thing to do with any of these people. I want to go back to my husband.

Once I’ve pulled the dress on, staying seated, too afraid to move much, I continue to watch the women, waiting to see if they’re going to play with me or not.

“We cannot. She is Diaboli’s new toy, we can’t harm her. It would anger him,” one of them reminds the others.

The one who wanted to play looks defeated, and narrows her gaze on me, but doesn’t say anything. I’m grateful for that, because I’m sure she has lots of things to say about me and what she wants to do to me.

“How much longer will we be stuck here,” the third says with a pout.

That’s when I know exactly where I am and pain slices through my middle. I am so far away from Tiberius. He will never be able to get to me, not anytime soon. I don’t know if he’ll even suspect this is where I’m being held, again.

He will never find me. They’re going to win. I just know it. My heart aches, it breaks inside of my chest.

“I think she might cry,” the woman that’s been silent until this moment points out. The other three shift their attention toward me and evil-looking grins curve up on their lips.

“We don’t even have to do anything, she will torture herself,” the first one who spoke cackles.

Just when I am feeling defeated, like all hope is completely lost, I hear it. There is a loud whooshing sound, then a roar rattles the walls around us.

“Sisters,” one of the women shouts. “The war has come here.”

They tip their heads back, hold up their hands and brace their feet. I stay glued to the side of the wall, trying to make myself as small as possible. Whatever is about to go down, I want no part of it at all—none.

Then it happens.

The roof suddenly becomes a blaze. Fire comes on as quickly as it disappears and it is opened up to the sky. I open my mouth to scream as a dragon appears. The same dragon that brought my sisters to Savona.

The women murmur some words that I don’t understand in an effort to ward him off, but it doesn’t work. I don’t know if he’s immune to their powers or what, but he just swoops into the building and lands in front of them.

Do not worry, Drucilla. I am here to take you to your warrior. These women cannot harm me, my mulier has placed a protection spell around me.

His growly voice just pops into my head and I gasp. You can hear me, but you cannot talk to me telepathically. Only Liv can do that. Sit tight and I will get you out of here soon.

Just as his words are spoken, there is a gasp from the room and I watch as the four women disappear before my eyes.

I must get you back. Diaboli has already called them in to help him.

“What is going to happen? How did he get them out?” I ask.

He is the God of the Underworld. He can override what a king and maga has already done.

“Wow,” I breathe.

We must leave, climb on, are you ready?

I don’t verbally answer him, instead I run toward him and climb onto his back. I hold on for dear life as he leaps into the air and flies, freaking flies, through the air, over the ocean and toward my family.

Chapter Thirty-Six

TIBERIUS

Just when I think that things cannot get worse, Diaboli brings in his other venefica. They appear next to him. I hear Aeliana growl at their sudden appearance. I can’t help but think that their showing up here was somehow expected, at least eventually.

“We need Drucilla,” Aeliana mutters. “She will strengthen the powers, unite the sisters, and the prophecy.”

“Where is she?” I demand.

Aeliana turns to look at me. “I know not.”

“I have sent Quest to find her,” Liv calls out.

Diaboli clears his throat, all of our attention turns toward him and I watch him hold his hands up. Fire comes from his fingertips and he tilts back his head in laughter.

“Maga, you have taken one of my daughters, but you will not get the other four. The time has come. The war is at your feet, what shall you do?” he asks.

“Fight,” Elias shouts.

“Fight,” Aaric growls.

“Fight,” Colt drawls.

“Win,” I finish.

“Nice,” Birdie whispers.

There is a moment of silence, then Diaboli laughs. It’s almost all-consuming, his evil laughter. It sends a chill down my spine. Drawing my gladius, I know that it is fruitless against fighting him, but I do it anyway, even if just to make me feel better.

“Fight if you must, Diaboli. Even with the four of your venefica, you will not best us.”

Diaboli lowers his hands, his fire shoots out directly at us, and we all have to lower our heads as to not get burned. The wolves howl again and start to charge.

One of his daughters hisses in their direction and pushes her hands out, sending the wolves flying backward, whimpering and crying.

I take the opportunity to slip around the side and try to come up from behind, but one of the other women sees me. I am