Page 103 of Goddess of Light

The battle ends as quickly as it began. The last Deadmaiden falls under General Suvari’s blade, its veil shredded, its face caved-in. The hall falls silent once more, but the echoes of the fight linger in the air.

I survey the scene. The floor is littered with broken bones and tattered cloth, the remnants of my former servants and the skeletal army. The soldiers regroup, their faces pale but determined. We didn’t lose anyone this time.

“This is only the beginning,” I say, my rage festering. “She’s turned my home into a graveyard.”

We push through the rest of Shadow’s End, the walls closing in around us as the castle twists and tightens like a predator’s maw. The cold air seems alive, carrying whispers of despair that curl around my ears. Hanna leads the way, her golden glow illuminating the dark stairwell as we climb, the others following close behind. My thoughts are singular—find Sarvi, find Lovia, and end this nightmare.

Then I see her.

The nightmare herself.

Louhi.

Her shadowy form darts up a staircase toward the private wing. Her dark dress billows like smoke, her wings raised behind her as she moves with inhuman speed. My grip on my sword hilt instinctively tightens with rage.

“There!” I snap, halting the group. “She’s heading to Sarvi’s room.”

Hanna turns, her golden eyes narrowing. “Let’s go! We’ll?—”

“No,” I interrupt, shaking my head. “This is my fight.”

Her jaw tightens, a flicker of hesitation crossing her face. “No, please.”

“I have to,” I say firmly, already stepping toward the staircase. “Once she was mine to wed, now she’s mine to kill. You find Sarvi and Lovia. Save them. I’ll deal with my ex-wife.”

She doesn’t argue further. Instead, she nods, a spark of trust in her gaze. “Don’t die.”

I don’t respond. Words are wasted here but I give her a look that tells her not to die either.

I bolt up the stairs, my heart hammering like a war drum.

Sarvi’s chambers are at the highest point of the castle, a place of seclusion and solace. But now, as I storm in, they are steeped in darkness and malice. Chains hang from the walls, remnants of Louhi’s cruelty, and the air reeks of something old and rotting.

Louhi stands in the center of the room, her back to me as she gazes out the window, giving me a clear view of her terrible wings. She turns slowly when she senses my presence, a cruel smile curling her lips. Her dark gown flows like ink, her green-grey skin pale in the dim light. The rams horns that curl back from her head shine with oil. Or maybe it’s blood.

“You’re persistent, I’ll give you that,” she says, her voice low and venomous. “But persistence doesn’t change fate, Tuoni. You can’t change what’s already been done. But, Gods, you have such a hard time taking no for an answer.”

Every single word has me ready to explode.

“It ends here, Louhi,” I grind out, stepping forward, my blade gleaming in the faint light. “No more schemes. No more death. Except your own.”

Her laughter is sharp, cutting through the air like glass. “You always were a fool. Do you think you can stop me? Your realm is crumbling, your son is dead, and soon, very soon, you will join him.”

“Don’t you dare fucking speak of Tuonen like that,” I growl, anger tearing through my throat. “He was your son too. Your son and you killed him. You. Killed. Him.”

Without warning, she moves. Shadows burst forth from her hands, coiling like snakes as they lash toward me. I dive to the side, rolling to avoid their strike. My sword comes up instinctively, slicing through one tendril as it snaps too close. The severed shadow dissipates with a hiss, but more take its place. This magic is new to her and powerful and it makes me sick to know it was probably conjured with Tuonen’s horns.

And so I will show her no mercy.

I charge, swinging my sword in a wide arc. She blocks with a conjured weapon of her own, a jagged black blade that seems to absorb the light. Sparks fly as our swords clash, the force of the impact reverberating through my arms. She grins wickedly, pushing me back.

“You’re weak,” she taunts, lunging at me with inhuman speed. “You’re not a god, you’re nothing but a man.”

I parry, narrowly avoiding her strike. Her blade grazes my shoulder, slicing through fabric and grazing flesh. Pain flares, but I grit my teeth and retaliate, forcing her back with a series of rapid strikes.

“If I’m a mere man, then it will bereallyembarrassing for you when I win.”

She moves like a serpent, her movements fluid and unpredictable. I have to focus on every step, every angle. She has black magic on her side that’s more powerful than I could have imagined.

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