6. Mourning
CHAPTER SIX
MOURNING
Saya Claymore
With a sharp breath, I leave the room and start again. This time, I’m led to a hallway with an archway at the end—no brick wall.
No one is messing with secret passageways this time.
Portraits line the right side of the hallway, covered by a thin black veil. Even covered, I can make out the image of two men side by side. One I know as Lucifer, but the other is a stranger. They have beaming smiles and entwined fingers. So much warmth in a painting that sends ice down my spine.
I continue down the hallway, passing the portraits, then come to an abrupt halt at the archway.
My eyes widen and jaw slackens at the wall of glistening windows speckled with raindrops.
Moonlight illuminates everything, painting the view in a shimmering silver.
A vast sea glistens below, rippling and unsettled.
I’m above the rush of it, but water weaves across square roofs and buildings.
The water has taken most of it, leaving only this castle to watch over a city that once was.
“Melancholy beauty, is it not?” A soft, deep voice comes from behind me.
My ear twitches, but I don’t move from my position overlooking the Sunken City.
A shiver crawls along my nape when I don’t see his reflection in the window.
“This place, lost in the war, now looks over what once was a thriving, bustling city.” Serun’s hands sink into his pockets as he reaches my side.
“The war? Before Mother left?”
A tingling sensation prickles my skin when he steps closer to me. Defiant, or desperate to understand the man who made me his consort, I stand my ground.
Part of me wonders if he would find me flinching away from him amusing. Nightwalkers enjoy the look of fear, from what I have heard.
From what I have seen…
From the corner of my eye, Serun’s eyes narrow and his jaw tightens. “Before Mother. A world in ruin, torn between living with magik or without.”
I click my tongue. “Makes sense why Jax wanted me to run away with him. He wanted me far from Naylen—on an island with no nightwalkers. Probably has no slayers, too.”
“I doubt all his reasons were because you are vegodian. His possessiveness was a toxin.”
My fingers twitch, the poisonous desire to touch him suddenly turning to yearning, clouding the warnings in my mind. With a shake of my head, I lift my chin higher and glare out at the Sunken City. “And you, nightwalker? Did you not claim me as your consort?”
“His was a toxin. Mine was a declaration. I will never hinder you or your desires. If you want to leave with your brother once we find him, I won’t force you to stay.” He shifts slightly. “But I would like to watch over you, whether it be by your side or from a distance.”
I take a deep breath in and turn away from the flutter in my heart.
Facing the exit of this mesmerising room, I say, “Nightwalkers. You are very intense creatures.” My heart steadies enough to look at him.
“I’d like to return to Darkovish Feeding Ground to lay the dead to rest. I also want to see your brother off so he can find mine. ”
“You will.”
I make my way back to the hallway with the covered paintings. Serun’s stride is far longer than mine, so he quickly joins me. “You are part nightwalker. Does that mean you are part intense creature?”
“The Lord of the Undercity has jokes, I see…”
“I’ve been around long enough to learn a few.”
I grunt a laugh, wanting to hold back enough to avoid giving him the satisfaction of thinking he is funny. Yet, the smirk settling on his face seems all too aware.
With a roll of my eyes, I nudge my chin towards the painting. “Why are they covered?”
Serun’s intense gaze slips away from mine, and we both face the veiled painting of Lucifer and the man, smiles on their faces, holding hands. “Mourning. Paying respects to those who depart the bond of lovers.”
Lucifer lost someone he loved dearly. I shouldn’t care. He looks at me with nothing but hate. Still, my heart sinks to see such a smile lost.
I’m not sure I’d ever smile again if I lost Cole.