Page 46 of Thorn & Ash
“You’re already doing a fine job of that yourself,” Prue spat. She gestured to Cyrus. “Look at his eyes! Does he not look different to you?”
The crowd shuffled as several demons turned to get a better look at Cyrus.
“This creature is not the god I married,” Prue went on. “He’s been taken over by another presence. Can you not deny that something is sweeping over this realm? The wraiths? The death shadows?”
The whispers of the demons intensified as several of them nodded in agreement.
“I am here to protect the people of the Underworld,” Prue said, “because you will not.” She jabbed a finger at Cyrus.
Cyrus’s eyes burned with all the power of his fury, and Prue had to physically restrain herself from flinching.
It’s not really him, she told herself. It’s not.
But that didn’t stop the agony from slicing through her. She was betraying him, right here and now. She truly was turning his people against him.
“When your eyes glow silver once more,” Prue said, her voice growing soft, “then I will gladly rule by your side, darling.”
For the briefest of seconds, a flash of silver ignited in Cyrus’s eyes, followed by an anguish so potent it cut Prue to the core. In an instant, it was gone, as Kronos took control once more.
He’s still in there, Prue thought. He needed a reminder of his promise. “Fight!” she urged. “Fight, Cyrus! I know you’re still there. Your people need you.”
Cyrus unleashed a terrible roar, and several demons screamed from the intensity of it. Before anyone could react, Cyrus grabbed the nearest demon by the throat—a tall, skinny woman with antler horns—and twisted sharply until her neck snapped. Her body crumpled to the floor, and a stunned silence fell in the room. Prue could only stare in horror, the blood draining from her face.
“I am the sole ruler of this domain,” Cyrus hissed, his teeth bared. His face was so contorted with rage that he looked almost feral. “And everyone here will suffer my wrath.”
The ground began to tremble. The crowd gasped, shifting about to search for the source. But Prue’s eyes remained on Cyrus, whose hands emitted inky black flames. Those all-black eyes were bright with fury and hunger, his mouth curling into a sinister smile.
Pebbles and dust rained from the ceiling. Several demons screamed. Prue’s body went tense as she glanced upward to find several cracks splitting through the marble ceiling.
Goddess above, he’s going to tear down the entire palace, she thought in a panic. Without thinking, she stretched out her arms, calling to life the earth magic within her…
But of course, nothing happened. She was powerless to stop him.
“Cyrus!” she screamed over the cacophony of the terrified demons and the rumbling of the palace walls. “Stop this, now!”
But Cyrus didn’t move. The black flames spurting from his fingertips intensified, jetting toward the palace walls.
Prue snatched the dagger from the table and descended the dais, shoving her way past demons until she stood before him, her heart pounding painfully in her chest. What did she expect to do? He was too far gone for her to reach him. And she couldn’t stab Kronos without also hurting Cyrus.
“Osiris, god of the Underworld,” Prue said in a loud voice, attempting the only strategy she could think of, “as your wife, mate, and Queen of the Underworld, I command you to stop immediately.” She pressed the dagger into her palm. “I command you with my own flesh and blood.” A single droplet trickled down her hand.
Cyrus went perfectly still, his lethal eyes fixed on her. Then, a tremendous shudder rippled through him, making his arms and shoulders quiver just as the ground had. He groaned, hunching over, his flames dying and the earthquake ceasing. With an anguished cry, Cyrus fell to all fours, choking and gasping. Prue knelt by him, her hand on his shoulder.
“Don’t touch me!” he hissed, flinching away from her.
Prue froze, eyes wide. Was this really Cyrus lashing out at her? Or was Kronos still in control? She peered closer, trying to get a better look at his eyes…
But Cyrus whirled from her, staggering to his feet and fleeing the throne room. The demons gasped and cried out, some calling for him to be hunted down.
Prue watched him leave, unable to keep her body from shaking. He had just killed one of his subjects. He had almost torn down the entire palace. How could he possibly gain his people’s trust after this? How would anyone believe he had truly changed?
And how could Prue free him if Kronos had such a violent hold on him?
When Prue rose to her feet and turned, she found the demons staring at her, their eyes wide with fear. She was all they had left. And as much as Cyrus’s attack had rattled her, she had to pull herself together.
Her voice shook as she said, “You all are dismissed. Return to your duties. If anyone sees him repeating these actions, report to me immediately. Do not fight him.”
The demons bowed before scrambling to leave, no doubt eager to put as much distance between themselves and Cyrus as possible. Prue stood there, barely keeping her emotions in check as she watched them exit the throne room. Her mouth trembled, and tears filled her eyes.