Chapter 29 #3
I call my shadows, letting them crawl up my body like a second skin, sliding over my shoulders, down my arms, and wrapping around the chains binding me. They tighten, then snap them clean apart as though they’re paper.
I roll my neck and my shoulders. Everything cracks as my limbs finally loosen. A low groan rumbles in my throat from the deliciousness of it. “Fuuuuuuck, that feels good.”
I reach down and rip a thick fur cape from one of corpses that litters the floor, the fabric still slightly warm from his body. Throwing it around my shoulders, I let the heat sink into my slowly healing skin, revelling in the glorious warmth.
Strolling towards the shaking guard, I pat him on the shoulder in a way I think is reassuring—though he flinches—and gesture to the door. “Come on Tiny, let’s go.”
We wind through the palace, my shadows trailing like smoke around my feet. Gods, it feels good to let them be free again. I swear I can feel them purring in happiness about it, too. Never, ever again, will I let someone take them away from me.
“It… uh, it’s in there, sir,” Tiny whispers, pointing a shaking finger to a set of large doors at the end of the hallway.
I pat him on the back, maybe a little firmer than necessary. “Cheers, kid.” My shadows climb his body, immobilising him instantly. “Sorry about this, truly. But you’re kind of a loose cannon and nearly got my girl killed.”
His eyes widen in panic, breath hitching as the shadows tighten. “No, no please! I didn’t attack her,” he cries out.
“No, you didn’t,” I drawl, tilting my head slightly as I watch him struggle. “But, you did run to a room full of guards so they could do it for you, like a little bitch.”
I don’t let him reply, to try and beg or save himself. My shadows snap his neck quickly. Poor bastard. He probably wouldn’t have been much of a threat. But he already ran his mouth once, and I wasn’t going to let him do it again. It was merciful, in my own sick kind of way.
I roll my shoulders, working out the last of the stiffness, and stride to the doors.
The air here feels different, like it’s charged with something heavy.
Without an ounce of hesitation, I swing them wide open.
The sound is harsh in the quiet space, but it barely registers.
Because my eyes instantly land on her. The magnificent creature.
There she is, on top of the dais, mounting Kaelith’s head onto the spike of his own throne.
The motion is slow and deliberate. A statement carved in blood and bone.
I lean against the frame, crossing one ankle over the other like I’ve just entered a casual conversation instead of a massacre. A slow smile pulls at my lips as she glances over her shoulder to see who’s entered the room.
“Hey there, princess,” I murmur, throwing her a wink.
She’s a fucking mess. Violet, red, and cerulean blood coat her, streaked across her skin and soaked into her clothes.
Some of it even stains her golden hair. She looks exhausted, yet utterly feral.
Alive in a way only a queen of Hell could be.
Power clings to her, even now, even battered and drained.
It hums in the air around her. Korithax would be so fucking proud of her.
“Maelkar,” she breathes, a small wobble to her voice that tells me she is on the verge of breaking.
I subtly shake my head, giving her a silent warning to hold it together a little longer.
I can see it in her eyes, the fracture threatening to split wide open.
But I can’t let her break in front of these people.
Not now. Not after what she’s done. She’s sent a message.
A damn loud one at that. She can fall apart at home, and I’ll hold her tight and piece all of her back together.
Gods, I’m so fucking proud of her for surviving this.
The Daisy I once knew wouldn’t have even been able to take a life, never mind stand there covered in blood with a decapitated head on a spike.
Yet here she is, in all her glory. She’s terrifying and magnificent.
And I’ve never been more certain of what I’m about to do.
I stroll down the aisle between rows of silent onlookers, the delicious scent of fear clinging to me as I keep my eyes locked on Daisy. Not a single person or creature dare moves.
I have never once bowed to anyone before. Not kings, not gods, not even Lucifer himself. But the woman standing before me deserves every bit of my devotion. So, without even a second thought, I drop to one knee before her, lowering my head in a show of devotion.
“Maelkar,” she whispers. “What are you doing?”
I slowly turn my head, letting my gaze drag across the crowd behind me.
A snarl curls my lip as my shadows stir, then writhe in warning.
One by one, they crumble. Knees hit stone in a staggered ripple through the room as heads bow, and bodies lower.
No one dares defy it. Only when every single one of them is beneath her, do I turn back.
I lift my gaze to hers, something fierce and unwavering settling in my chest. “This war, this universe—it’s yours, Daisy. I’m showing you exactly how worthy you are.”