Return of the Demon Sovereign (Book 2) [MxM]

A cold sweat broke out across Erebus' skin. The Phonoi Heart's creator? He had always thought the Phonoi Heart was ancient, a force of destruction, but to hear that he had a creator—that this woman standing before him could be the source of his corruption—chilled him to the bone.

The woman's gaze softened as she seemed to notice the turmoil raging within him. She didn't move from her spot in the clearing, her figure framed by the lotuses. "It's been a long time, hasn't it?" she murmured. "I see it still clings to you. I wonder... do you resent it?"

Erebus clenched his fists. His mind raced with questions, but none could form in this woman's presence. More importantly, he began to suspect who she was.

"Sylvara," he finally ventured.

She nodded. "That's correct, Erebus."

Erebus bit back a curse. "A Titan created the Phonoi Heart?"

She tilted her head slightly, her purple eyes gleaming with sadness. "Yes," she said softly. "I created the force that lingers in the dark corners of your soul. I gave life to the Phonoi Heart."

Erebus' breath caught in his throat.

"Erebus, focus your senses. I don't feel anything dangerous about her," the Phonoi Heart said in his mind. "She feels... maternal."

"Bullshit," Erebus hissed.

She tilted her head, a curious smile tugging at her lips. She seemed to have known who he was talking to. "You speak to him? You must have had a difficult time if he's become that potent."

"Why do you seem concerned? Especially if this curse is something of your creation, Sylvara?"

She sighed, waving her hand, and as if responding to her command, vines from the ground and nearby trees slithered upward. They intertwined and twisted gracefully, molding themselves into chairs and a table.

"It's best we sit for this conversation."

Erebus remained unmoving, arms crossed, his dark gaze locked on her. "You want a conversation? Do you really expect me to believe that? The Titans have annihilated realms. The Phonoi Heart has tortured countless souls. Now, suddenly, you want to be civil?"

Sylvara's eyes hardened, her expression unreadable. "I'm not looking for forgiveness, Erebus. I know the blood on my hands will never wash away. The Titans are... monsters, myself included. And the Phonoi Heart was a weapon meant for the Titans. That was its true purpose."

"A weapon?" Erebus' voice was sharp with disdain. "Do you even care how many innocents died because of your creation?"

Erebus wanted to scream. It felt like he'd had this exact argument with Lychgate, and it was becoming exhausting.

But unlike Lychgate, Sylvara's face softened, a flicker of sorrow crossing her features. "I know," she said quietly. "And I carry that burden. But none of that changes the truth—if the Titans remain, the realms will burn. They're more dangerous than you realize. I don't wish to rule the realms. I only wish for their survival. The Titan's return will be the end of everything, and they will tear the Aether apart to ensure it."

Erebus narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing her. "Why should I trust you? This could be another game—another trick."

"I don't expect your trust," she replied, her voice calm. "But I know the Titans. I am one of them. You want to destroy them, and I need you to. If they die, so do the chains that bind me."

There was a long pause, a heavy silence settling between them. Sylvara leaned forward, her voice low and serious. "You know what they're capable of, Erebus. You've seen what they've done. You don't need to trust me. You just need to know they are the true enemy. If you don't stop them, no one will."