I lie back in bed, close my eyes, and start the dreamscape. My jaw clenches with anxious energy and I wish I were somewhere, anywhere, doing anything but this. However, the truth is unavoidable. I’ve been putting off this dreamscape with Connor long enough.
Time to get it over with.
“Octavia, Lincoln, and Connor, I summon thee to dreamscape.”
When I open my eyes again, I stand in a dream-version of the Gray Sea, Purgatory’s largest desert. Octavia and Lincoln stand silently beside me. Undulating dunes of charcoal-colored sand stretch out around us, as far as the eye can see. Black billowing clouds roll overhead. The heavy scent of sulfur hangs in the air.
The Queen Emeritus turns to me, her hands clasped tightly at her waist. A spark of anger gleams in her mismatched eyes. “Where is he?”
Basically, Octavia’s pissed at Connor and I don’t blame her. The fact that he’s not showing up for my dreamscape isn’t helping his case, either.
“Let me try again.” I crack my neck from side to side. “Connor, I summon thee.”
Minutes tick by as we all wait for Connor to appear. He doesn’t have to heed my summons. He doesn’t have to answer, but since he’s in Hell, you’d think he wouldn’t have better things to do.
What a wiener.
Disappointment weighs on my shoulders. Connor was never big on facing unpleasant truths, and maybe now is no exception to this rule. Only, I was hoping that he’d rally. We could all use some closure. I was up half the night with Maxon, holding him through the latest round of nasty flashbacks. He’ll be dealing with the consequences of Connor’s choice for the rest of his life.
How could he sell his grandchild’s soul to anyone?
Perhaps it will help if I try the pushy approach. When I speak next, it is with my most goddess-like and booming voice.
“Connor Banning Osric Aquilus, King Emeritus of the Thrax, I summon thee!”
Still, Connor doesn’t appear.
Octavia’s lower lip quivers; Lincoln’s face turns still as stone. I know they both must be dying inside. I’m not-so-chipper either. Saying goodbye would definitely have helped me, as well. Lincoln and I exchange a sad look.
I’ll give it one last try.
Pleading isn’t my favorite thing to do, but I can’t walk away without having worked every angle.
“Connor, it’s Myla.” I’m careful to keep my voice calm and gentle. “I’m here to dreamscape with you. Lincoln and Octavia are here as well.”
Another long pause.
Another nothing happening.
What an ass this guy is. I know he hears me.
My voice cracks as I ask one last time. “Please, Connor. You owe us this.”
A misty shape forms on the dark sands. It’s the King Emeritus. He wears the same thrax tunic he did on the day he died in the Council of Five.
For a long minute, there’s a lot of awkward staring. Then, Connor speaks in a low voice.
“How is Maxon?”
“He’s home safe,” says Octavia.
“Good.”
No way is he getting off the hook that easily.
“Maxon has nightmares and flashbacks all the time, Connor,” I say. “He’s a very hurt little boy, and he doesn’t even know his Grandfather sold his soul to Armageddon.”
Connor stares at the sands. “Thank you for not telling him.”
“We didn’t do it for you,” I say. “We did it for Maxon. He’s suffered enough.”
Connor meets my gaze, his mismatched eyes lined with tears. “You can’t forgive me. Maxon’s your son. I’m not your blood and I made a terrible mistake with him.” He cautiously seeks out Octavia’s gaze. “How about you, my Queen?”
Octavia’s eyes glisten. “I don’t know if I can forgive you, either. You made this choice without asking me. At the time, we were married and happy. I knew there were problems having a child, but I was at peace with our lives. You and me, that’s all I needed. Aldred tortured us for twenty years because of this deal you struck with him. And my sweet grandson…The things he went through.” She sets her hands over her mouth.
“I know, Octavia. I’m so sorry, to all of you. I had a weak moment and I made a bad decision.” He turns to Lincoln. “How about you, son? Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?”
“For the one-time decision, yes. We all make mistakes, even huge ones. I’m not immune.”
Connor rubs his hands together. “Good. I knew you’d see reason.”
“But for how you dealt with it all those years?” Lincoln shakes his head. “That’s not so easy to forgive. You pretended like everything was fine when it wasn’t. You placed the burden of the crown on my shoulders at an early age. And you treated anyone who disagreed with your point of view as unreasonable. Even now, you’re still doing it.”