CHAPTER 10
Zarreth
“Are you sure Jess is fine with Graven?” A subtle crease forms between her eyebrows and I can almost bet she’s worrying her bottom lip underneath her balaclava. “He seemed kind of annoyed by her this morning.”
Jess’ endless attempts to get Graven’s attention were futile, but of course it didn’t stop her. I can’t imagine how bad it’s going to get now that we’re in the Dark Realm. “As long as she doesn’t go for his horns, she’ll be fine.”
She stops in her tracks. “Horns?”
“Yeah. The Traveler’s Mark hides demon traits in the Mortal Realm.”
“Oh God! She’s going to be unbearable now.” She continues walking.
I hold my arms out, ready to catch her as we edge along the narrow path, lava churning on either side. The falling ash makes it difficult to see the ground, but we only have a few steps to go and we’ll be across the bridge.
Once the ground becomes a little more solid, I step beside her and tug on her braid. She’s been fidgeting with her sleeve, and I know it’s not because of Graven. “Okay, tell me what’s going through that head of yours?”
“I know it’s dumb to keep worrying about this, but what if she doesn’t like me?”
“Who, my mother? She’ll love you!” I knew she’d be worried about returning to the Dark Realm. That’s why I had Ronin and Macen drop us off outside Fairhaven. I wanted to give her time to adjust before being bombarded by the village folks.
But, if I’m being honest, I need the time as well. It’s a little emotional. Twenty years isn’t long to be away, but a part of me thought I would never see my home again.
She glances at me like I’ve said something ridiculous and keeps walking. Roots knot across the path, but she hardly notices them as we enter the Deadwoods. Blackened stumps and twisted branches close in around us. “I can’t imagine she’ll be overly happy her only child is mated to the Realm Eater.”
“One, watch where you’re walking.” I pull her close to my side as a low branch scrapes past her shoulder. “Two, the Realm Eater is made up and has nothing to do with the prophecy, or you. And three, she’ll fall in love with you the moment you open that mouth of yours, just like I did.”
A blur moves through the haze ahead, and I instinctively shove Frankie behind me. But she’s faster than I give her credit for. Her blades hit first, sinking into the creature's chest before I can rip its head off. She steps past me, plants her boots on its torso, and yanks the knives free.
And fuck if it isn’t the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.
She returns the knives to their sheaths and plants her hands on her hips. “Did you really think taking the extra time to shove me out of the way was smart when you know I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself?”
I don’t bother holding back my grin. She knows what it does to me when she sasses like that, and Gods I’ve missed it.
“Do you really think talking to me like that is smart when we’re so close to the village?
” I lean in, letting my voice drop. “Because I’d love nothing more than to bend you over my knee. ”
She tries shoving me, but her bright eyes are begging me to test her. “Don’t say that! I don’t want my mind in the gutter when I meet everyone.”
“Oh little mate, everyone’s mind is in the gutter; we’re demons,” I say as a giant wall comes into view.
Ronin told me they built a wall around the village, but I honestly didn’t expect it to be so impressive.
We don’t have the machinery humans do, so every stone had to have been placed by hand.
Rocks of every size are wedged together, along with bones and crushed pieces of skull, a tar-like substance holding it all together.
The wall stands about twelve feet tall with several guard posts positioned along the top.
Two large torches flank an even larger door, its petrified wood bound together with jagged scraps of metal.
Horns blare as we approach the gate, letting the villagers know a visitor has arrived. “Identify your—” The gruff voice pauses, turning into a chuckle. “Well, look who it is! You finally decided to grace us with that ugly mug of yours.”
The demon flashes us a welcoming smile, though half his lower jaw is missing, leaving his teeth permanently exposed on one side. Frankie smiles back without hesitation, like it doesn’t faze her at all.
I smile at his greeting. “Hoddar? They got you up here away from the others, I see.”
“Yeah, Macen couldn’t stand me being such a distraction to the ladies, so he put me on the wall.” He gives a hand signal to someone below, and soon the giant doors creak and groan as they open.
A slight ache settles in my chest as the village comes into view. I’m here. I’m almost afraid to believe it, but there it is, right in front of me. I grab Frankie’s hand, bringing it to my lips. “Are you ready, Melita?”
Her gaze finds mine, fingers brushing my cheek. She studies my face, searching for something. “I was about to ask you the same thing. I can’t imagine how you feel right now.”
I take her in, my beautiful mate, always so selfless. Here she is in a dangerous realm, and she’s worried about me. I don’t know what I did to deserve her, but Gods, I’m glad she’s mine.
“Complicated,” I admit. That’s the closest I can get to explaining it. Coming back here after twenty years and seeing with my own eyes that my sacrifice wasn’t for nothing…I don’t know, it does something to me.
“Everything with you is complicated,” she teases, a warm smile on her face as she tugs on my hand. “Come on. Let’s do this.”
The wind dies down almost immediately once inside the walls, making it easier to breathe.
Frankie pulls down her balaclava and glances around.
The scent of iron and the clink of metal welcomes us.
Houses made of obsidian and deadwood sit right inside the wall, and not far from that is Fairhaven. My home.
As we approach the village, Frankie raises a finger, pointing to a cluster of tents. Stalls are set up with makeshift tables full of dried herbs and textiles. “Is that the marketplace Ronin was telling us about?”
“Must be. None of this was here before, only the well and a few scattered huts.” And everyone thought Macen’s idea for trading goods with the Mortal Realm would never work.
Now villagers are bargaining with merchants and trading goods with one another.
I don’t know why he doesn’t claim the title of Overlord. He’s the best leader this realm has.
A group of children stop playing once they spot us. None of them move, not even when a ball bounces to the ground and rolls away. Instead, they all stare wide-eyed, their little nubs extending from their heads, a few of them already growing fangs.
One finally points at me and stutters, “W-w-wings.”
Their faces light up and they take off running through the marketplace, their little legs carrying them as fast as they can.
“It’s him!”
“The Emberlord!”
“He’s here! He’s returned!”
My step falters. I wasn’t expecting…this. Surrendering to Aradon was the only way to protect our horde, but a part of me felt like I failed them. There was no guarantee Aradon would’ve kept his word, and I left them without a commander.
But standing here, young demons playing without having to fear for their lives reminds me how grateful I should be that for whatever reason, the bastard did keep his word.
I finally move, shifting my weight and adjusting my sword to distract from the stares. Voices now carry through the marketplace, whispering like I’m some sort of hero. I don’t like it. All I did was surrender.
Frankie squeezes my hand, her expression caught somewhere between pride and mischief. “Should I be calling you Emberlord instead of sir now?”
“Thought you weren’t going to call me sir anymore,” I tease.
Before she can fire back, a demon with tattoos spiraling up his horns appears, dropping to one knee. “Emberlord,” he says. “It’s an honor.”
The title is heavier coming from him, and I’m honored he remembers me, but I’m just a demon. I don’t want him bowing for me. “Please stand. I am not a lord.”
He remains kneeling. “You’re right, what you did—
sacrificing yourself for our safety—you are no lord. You’re a God!”
If I clench my teeth any harder, they’ll break. I know he means well, but I am the farthest thing from it. “I am no God,” I say. “But you honor me. Now, please stand.”
He hesitates but finally rises, dipping his head once more. “Thank you, Emberlord.” I return a small nod and he walks away.
Frankie brushes her fingers against mine as she drifts closer.
“You know, Ember would make a cute name for a daughter.” Her eyes jerk up the second the words pass her lips, her cheeks turning a beautiful shade of pink.
“I mean, not that we have to think about that now. That’s, like, a way-in-the-future thing.
I don’t know why I’m talking about children.
Maybe I’m just dehydrated.” She nervously unscrews the lid from her canteen and takes a few gulps.
I chuckle. Her words shouldn’t make me this damn happy, but they do.
I’ve never considered myself paternal, but the thought of my mate carrying my child does something to me I can’t explain.
And seeing her all flustered, well, that does something else entirely.
“I’d put a baby in you right here and now if you’d let me. ”
She chokes on her water. “Don’t you think I should at least meet your family first before we start planning our own?”
I hold up my hands. “Sure, you’re the one who brought it up. I was merely offering to make your dreams come true.”
We happen upon a stall with a variety of gems displayed on the table. An emerald ring captures my attention. It’s the same color as Frankie’s eyes. I unstrap a blade from my ankle and offer it to the merchant. “A dagger for the ring?”
Frankie looks up at me, her eyes bright. “What are you doing?”
“I never gave you a mating gift.” Things happened so quickly, we never had time for a proper ceremony. Not that Frankie would want to take part in the mating ritual. Humans are a little more conservative than demons, and I’m a little more possessive than most. I would never share my mate.
Her eyes sparkle, a genuine smile dancing on her lips.
Raising his hands, the merchant shakes his head. “Please, put the blade away. It would be an honor to see my jewelry set upon your mate’s finger.”
I don’t like taking things I haven’t earned, but the pride in his voice tells me that refusing the gift would only offend him. “Thank you,” I say, sheathing the blade and accepting the ring. I study the deep green stone. “It’s an exceptional piece.”
I look at Frankie. “Give me your hand.”
Her smile is contagious, and I return it as she holds out her hand. Her newly formed calluses catch me for a second. Pride hits me hard when I slip the ring on her finger. She’s been training so hard these past few months. “Duae animae, in perpetuum una.”
Her eyes shine brightly, as she holds her hand out in front of her. “What does that mean?”
“It means the wearer of this ring will always listen to, and abide by, everything the giver says.” I smirk when her face drops.
“What!” She slaps my shoulder. “You wish.”
“There he is, the Emberlord.” A voice erupts from a small crowd as they come our way.
“Hold on, little mate.” I scoop Frankie up in my arms. “We’re getting out of here.”