Pride

Astra folded her shriven arms into her robes, releasing a deep breath. "To think I would have the honor of seeing the queen."

"Sexy isn't she." Zanris voiced, drawing close to my ear, "I sense something. Something familiar"

Zanris's tone was eerily calm, unlike her usually kiddy self. With a tinge of anger, it was hard. I would be a fool not to notice. Sucking in a sharp breath, I glanced at Astra, who seemed to be waiting patiently, watching me like a hawk, as if trying to find something.

"So," I started, frowning, noticing off in the distance a particular silver-headed bastard speaking to my wife while seven women laid sprawled over the ground. Knowing something was being shared, I immediately shifted my gaze back to Astra. " are you going to invite us, or will we end up in a dungeon?"

"Avar, is it? You are more than welcome to walk about freely; based upon that tattoo below your eye. I believe we have quite a few of your men in our custody. We would like to invite you in." Astra mentioned, her thin lips curling upwards," They have been rather lovely guests. Would you like to visit them?" She offered, snapping, summoning a blurred figure upon one knee. "Kona will be your guide."

I smiled." Is this your way of separating us?"

"Scared?"

"Far from it," I lightly said. "Avar was never my protector."

"Good, then I will be taking my leave," Avar calmly voiced, " Kona, please lead the way. I await reuniting with my vice-admiral."

Rising from off one knee, the ninja, whose features were blocked behind a fox mask, beckoned, " then follow." She said, flickering away, as Avar vanished presumingly to give chase.

"And then they were eight." I expressed, approaching the elderly patriarch. Meeting her scarlet eyes with mine. " Would you mind if one of my people toured your village?"

"The woman here are free to do as they please. But the men must be accompanied by a woman, or—" She paused and smiled. " Or be killed on the spot."

"Are you kidding me?" I uttered as laughter echoed from Ezra, who immediately spoke up.

"I'm starting to like this realm. Tell me, why is it like that?"

Astra eyed me and then Ty, resting her chin upon my head. "Aside from breeding stock, the only reason one of our warriors would keep a mate would be for companionship. Men have no significance in our eyes, as even without the pleasure they bring during procreation, we can create a child on our own. So tell me, what value do they have?"

I merely frowned. I had nothing to say. These people have their own cultures that agree with them. Even if it's a little strange, what place, aside from being the man banging their god, do I have to change their beliefs?

"I see. I'm allowed to go anywhere I want? If Lil Ty here travels with me?" I challenged, wondering why she brought this army.

"You? Gods no. Not when you hold that ring upon your finger." She pointed towards the Ring of Bael. "Leave the weapon behind, or—"

"Or what?" I snapped, losing my patience. While it was in their culture to look down on men, I would not be humiliated.

Hand over my ring? Bitch, please.

Anger bubbled within the pit of my stomach, searing its way towards my throat. I placed my hands behind my back, not bothering to go on the defensive. Even with Freya and Ty here, I was sure they could break past my defenses. They could, while not kill me outright, could harm me severely. I held no fear nor turmoil over this fact.

Ty popped her head off my shoulder, and I could feel her cool body swallowing the very light around me.

Weapons were quickly drawn, from their scabbard, from both my side and Astra's.

"Do you know what that thing is, boy?" The old bitch said.

"I'm usually a calm man. I truly am, so much so I give assassins second chances. So I'm going to allow you another chance—just one." I lifted a single finger," Against everything in me, filling me with disgust, I will allow you a chance to correct your mistake."

Sweltering heat fluttered through the air, bringing about a storm of icy intent, swallowing everything in a ripple of abyssal night. There was no withering like my darkness usually did. Instead, there was only a void that seemed to awaken in everyone.

"Arsene,' Rey Nala uttered," Lets not—"

"Shut your mouth. Master is talking." Zanris shouted, in a venomous fashion, silencing Rey where she stood.

"Patriarch," Jinx hastily whispered, "He is the queen's mate. We—"

Astra arched her hand, cutting Jinx short, her gaze slowly turning dangerously sharp, but at this moment, I felt the Path of Abyssal Night pulsing like a heartbeat against my ribs. Hamming away, akin to a heart, a rage building within my chest didn't seem to dampen but stirred.

"Will you meet us halfway? Keep the ring in your soul." She decided to say.

My brow scrunched, and my eyes darted to Lilith's carriage that had started back in motion once more. I pondered how no one seemed to have noticed what had happened. I figured it was due to the path, or maybe Zariel. Either way, my gaze shifted back to Astra.

Who the hell did this bitch think I was? Meet halfway? The only one I met halfway with was Lilith, and that was only because she was my wife. What kind of Monarch bends to nobodies? I'm fucking Arsene Snow.

"No." I coldly said, leaving no room to negotiate. Fuck that. "I respect your culture to a certain extent. And I am more than willing to have my daughter, Little Ty, follow me. But if you think. You, little nobodies, can make me meet you halfway, then you're out of your damn mind. I'll tell you how this is going to be. I'm going to walk through this village and talk to whomever I damn well, please. If you have an issue with that, you are free to attack. But I assure you. No, I promise you. Every last one of you will be dead in a matter of months."

"Arsene," Cleo shouted. "What—"

"I don't give a flying fuck." I coldly declared, arching my head, glaring at the ugly scowl upon Astra's contorted expression.

"Let's go."