Chapter 9
Shadows continued spilling down the aisle, coating the ground until I could no longer see my feet. The air felt misty and cool, making my skin pebble. I wished I’d worn a wrap or a shawl.
But what chilled me the most was the dark figure gliding toward me like a haunting specter. I was rooted to the spot, frozen as it loomed ever closer. I couldn’t make out its eyes, but somehow I knew it was watching me. My heart stilled, and my hands began to shake.
It was a mark of how potent my fear was that it managed to bleed through the courage the diamonds gave me. If I hadn’t been wearing the tiara, I probably would have pissed myself.
Years of training and education and preparation had led me to this moment. But now that I was finally faced with looking upon the Wraith King for the first time, I discovered something that threw an unexpected wrench in my plans: I was a coward.
Here and now, watching that darkened shape approach, I was rendered immobile like a prey caught in a predator’s trap.
Faintly, I remembered the dagger sheathed at my hip.
But I couldn’t even reach for it if I wanted to.
More and more shadows rolled forward, and the air was so thick with them that the setting sun was blotted out.
Nothing but darkness and fear remained .
Shadows coiled and twisted like serpents snaking toward me. The mass of darkness was drawing ever closer. Close enough to suffocate me. Close enough to devour me.
My heart lodged itself in my throat, and my pulse quickened. Sweat formed along my brow and the back of my neck, trickling down my skin in spite of the cool air. My breathing came in short spurts, and I worried I might faint.
Get ahold of yourself, Sybelle, I ordered myself. You knew he was monstrous. You knew he was a demon. Shove aside your fear and do what needs to be done!
I internally screamed at myself to move, to shift, just to prove I could overcome this mind-numbing terror.
With great effort, I flexed a few fingers, shaking off the cold horror that had frozen me.
I took a deep breath, then lifted my hand to my amber necklace, running my fingers over those familiar grooves.
“Give me strength,” I whispered, not caring that the supernatural fae senses meant everyone present could likely hear me.
It didn’t matter. I needed Azure’s soothing voice in my head. This was the moment I needed my dragon the most.
“I am here, Sybelle,” came her warm voice.
I closed my eyes, letting her friendly and familiar presence wash over me.
“So many shadows,” Azure said. “I can even see them from here. It is the Wraith King, isn’t it?”
I said nothing. My eyes opened, and the dark shape was only a few paces away from me now.
The darkness was so massive that it blotted out a large portion of the light behind it, dimming my surroundings.
I focused on controlling my breathing and reminded myself that Azure was close by.
She was close enough to see the shadows.
She would not let harm come to me.
“You can do this,” Azure said. “You may be nothing more than a pitiful human, but I know you are capable of facing this wretched monster. If you can tolerate me, you can certainly tolerate him.”
The corners of my mouth twitched at her weak attempt at humor. She was trying to ease my fears by goading me. I was tempted to tell her it wasn’t working, but that would have been a lie. Already my heart was lighter, and the ghost of a smile on my face lifted my spirits.
Az was on my side. And she always would be.
I could do this.
At long last, the mass of shadows reached me.
The king appeared as a shapeless form made only of darkness and mist. It churned and roiled more intensely than the rest of the shadows, as if the king’s silhouette was strengthened by his body heat.
I could make out faint outlines of his arms and legs, and two large shapes near the top of his head led me to believe he had horns.
But the darkness obscured everything else, rippling like a pool of ink. I couldn’t even make out his eyes, though I felt them scrutinizing me.
With the echoes of Azure’s voice still in my head, I found my strength and lifted my chin to gaze directly into what I thought was the Wraith King’s face. I would not cower before him.
Slowly, my legs bent in a curtsy, but I did not bow my head.
I kept my eyes on him the whole time. I held the curtsy and then straightened once more.
Unlike his subjects, I was not his subordinate.
In this moment, we were equals. And once the marriage ceremony was over, I refused to entertain the idea that I was an object to be commanded.
He would not rule me with fear. Not like he ruled everyone else.
Another figure approached from the opposite end of the courtyard. It didn’t take me long to recognize her. The great black wings folded behind her were impossible to forget. With a saccharine smile on her face, Tislora drew closer until she stood before us, directly underneath the archway.
In Agnarrish, she said to the king, “Are you ready?”
Grateful I’d kept my knowledge of their language a secret, I stared at the shadows swarming around the Wraith King, waiting for him to speak.
A single Agnarrish word: “ Dach. ” Yes.
His voice was deep and much smoother than I’d expected. I had prepared myself for a rough and gravelly sound, the voice of a true monster, a voice that grated against my ears. But instead, it was low and sultry and washed over me like a warm caress.
This was completely at odds with my mental picture of the Wraith King.
Tislora nodded, then looked at me. In Terrish, she said loudly, “We are here to unite these two in the binding ceremony of vows and blood.”
I shot a glance over my shoulder, frowning at the crowd behind us.
They had all been here moments before, setting up for the ceremony.
Now they were wedding guests? Where were the nobles and courtiers?
I had to admit, I had expected more fanfare and a much bigger crowd.
This almost seemed like a small, intimate affair.
Not at all what I pictured for the wedding of the King of the Shadow Court.
“Sybelle of the Earthen Court,” Tislora continued, “do you vow to bind yourself in body and blood to the Shadow King? To serve this court to the best of your ability, provided that the Earthen Court is not at risk?”
Beside me, the Wraith King stiffened, and I wondered if Tislora failed to mention to him her promise to include the protection of my home in the marriage vows.
I held my breath, waiting for him to object, but he said nothing. After a moment, I realized Tislora was waiting for my response, so I quickly said, “I do. ”
In an undertone, Tislora whispered, “You must say, I solemnly vow .”
Clearing my throat, I said firmly, “I solemnly vow.”
Sudden warmth whispered across my skin, and the dagger at my hip burned hot from the presence of magic in the air.
Tislora turned to the shadows swirling around the Wraith King. In Agnarrish, she said, “Do you, King Varius, vow to bind yourself in body and blood to the Earthen Princess? To serve the Shadow Court and make your sacrifice to the curse that cages us?”
I frowned. What curse? But as Tislora’s eyes flicked to mine, I quickly arranged my features into what I hoped was a neutral expression. I didn’t want her to know I understood what she was saying.
With his deep, melodious voice, the king said in Agnarrish, “I solemnly vow.”
Magic hissed in the air, and my skin prickled. The runes painted on my arms and cheeks began to burn, and I resisted the urge to scratch at them.
“Now pledge your vows in blood,” Tislora said.
My stomach knotted, and I looked at her in alarm. But she was watching the Wraith King. A metallic sound rang out as he drew his blade, still obscured by his shadows. Black droplets of blood oozed from a wound I could not see. I stared at the inky liquid pooling on the ground, mesmerized by it.
“I, King Varius, vow to bind myself in body and blood to the Earthen Princess, and to serve the Shadow Court and make my sacrifice to the curse that cages them. I pledge this vow with my own blood.”
My insides were frozen with terror as warmth seared into my skin once more. The runes burned hotter than before, making my skin sizzle as if I had been branded.
Tislora looked at me and smirked. In my own language, she said, “Your turn, human. ”
I scowled at her, then withdrew the dagger at my hip. Immediately, a flood of awareness rushed over me, and I stifled a gasp of alarm. Energy and courage swelled in my chest, blotting out all fear.
“Repeat after me,” Tislora said. “I, Sybelle of the Earthen Court, vow to bind myself in body and blood to the Shadow King…”
Dragging the tip of the blade along the center of my palm, I repeated the words.
“…and to serve this court to the best of my ability,” said Tislora.
My breath trembled as I spoke the words.
“…provided that the Earthen Court is not at risk,” said Tislora.
“…provided that the Earthen Court or its inhabitants are not at risk,” I said with emphasis. The gemstones from the dagger were making me feel bold, but I did not care.
Tislora’s silver eyes flashed. Clearly, she had noticed my altered wording of the vow.
But I refused to recount it. The Wraith King could easily kidnap a member of my court, drag them to the Shadow Court, and hold them hostage, all while claiming the Earthen Court was not in any danger.
I wanted to ensure that not only the land of my home was protected but also the people within it.
My own crimson blood dripped to the ground, mingling with the black blood of the king’s. I expected Tislora to insist I repeat the vow with the proper wording. But she didn’t.
“Bring your hands together,” Tislora instructed.