Page 106 of Heart of the Shadow King

Master Ghat and his workers performed miracles of their own, unearthing the sacred hall and restoring the Yun Falls to something close to its original glory. Their trolde craftsmanship is unparalleled throughout the worlds. I could scarcely discern where repairs had been necessary. Vor could and pointed out several places where breaks had been patched and walls shored up. But he declared those scars are now an important part of Mythanar’s history.

So, he led me into the pool, and we swam through the falls. Or rather Vor swam while I kicked and otherwise tried not to be a dead weight as he pulled me after him to the other side. There we climbed out together, dripping wet as we stood before Umog Zu, and she delivered her final blessing:“Uvulg tor ugdth. Hirark! Yuntog lorst.”

“Now have the Two died.”Vor whispered the interpretation in my ear.“Look! The One rises.”

How true those words have become! Vor and I have lived and died many times over since the last time those words were spoken over us. We are truly One now. Inseparable from here to eternity, whatever trials may befall.

I draw a shivering breath, a nervous flutter stirring in my belly. I’m eager for my groom to come to me, eager for the closeness we will share. Since we climbed up from that pit in the world, we’ve scarcely had a moment to ourselves. What precious time we’ve had, I’ve spent in exhausted sleep, cradled in his arms. The work of undoingva-joris constant and takes all my strength. It is a work that will continue for many weeks, many months. Possibly years as more people are discovered in the rubble and ruins. But I will do it. I will set every last one of them free.

Tonight is for us, however. For Vor and me. And I fully intend to enjoy my husband.

I touch the pendant at my throat. Sul returned it personally into my keeping. To my surprise, the stone was clear and bright once more, humming with the gentle vibrations of life. Though I no longer need it, I like to wear it as a reminder of my former life. Of my beloved sisters, so far from me.

I close my eyes now, sending up a prayer for both Ilsevel and Aurae. When Vor told me that he found Ilsevel alive, I could scarcely believe it. Were it not for Mythanar’s desperate need of my gift, I would have begged to set off at once and see for myself if she’s recovered from her wound. As it is, Vor has sent messengers, and we anxiously await news. But she’s alive. I’m sure of it. Aurae too—after all, if Ilsevel survived the attack on Nornala’s shrine, surely there’s reason to hope my youngest sister did as well. Ilsevel may even know what became of her.

I smile and wipe a stray tear from my face. One day soon, I will know their tales. Tales which could hardly be any stranger than the one I have lived! But I hope they too will come at last to their happy endings.

The chamber door opens.

Vor appears, standing in the opening, illuminated in moonfire light. His torso is bare, each muscle cut and defined to such perfection, it makes my stomach knot and my center flood with heat. He gazes at me where I sit on the edge of the bed, clad in this clinging gown. His eyes shine with pure hunger.

Slowly, I rise. Holding his gaze, I lift my hands to the delicate straps of my gown, slip them down my shoulders, baring myself before him.

“Morar juk!”he exclaims, his eyes taking me in, lingering and dangerous. With an effort, he brings his gaze back to mine. A smile pulls at the corner of his mouth. “My queen,” he says, his voice husky and low. “You and you alone shall dictate your desires to me thislusterling. It will be my honor to act accordingly.”

I approach him, one foot planted deliberately before the other until I stand so close, I can feel the warmth of his breath on my forehead. I tilt my face up to him.

“I want you to kiss me, Vor. I want you to kiss me until I beg for mercy, then kiss me again for good measure. And then I want you to ravish every inch of me.”

He crushes me in his arms. His lips find mine in a kiss so bruising it almost hurts. I wrap my arms around his neck, pull him closer, answering his kiss with equal intensity even as the fullness of his feeling floods my senses. He does just as I ask, his mouth molding and shaping mine, until I am gasping and breathless. Then he wrenches my arms free, tears the gown from my body, and lifts me off my feet. I wrap my legs around his waist as he carries me to the bed, and we fall together in a tangle of laughter and limbs and delight. His lips, his teeth, his tongue find each and every one of my sensitive places, delighting in the gasps and cries he draws bursting from my lips. He pleasures me again and again, until I fear my soul will leave my body and float away on a cloud of sheer ecstasy.

“I want you inside me,” I plead after the third soaring rush begins to fade. “Please, Vor.”

“Ah, but if we do that, our marriage will be officially consummated,” he says, nuzzling my breasts and kissing my throat. “Then the law dictates I must escort you from this room and present you officially to my court.”

“They are waiting.” I turn to my side and prop up on one elbow. “They’re probably getting hungry as well, and all that great wedding feast will spoil.”

“Let it spoil,” he replies, greedily claiming my lips once more. “They’re none of them so hungry as I.”

Eventually, however, he allows himself to be convinced. As neither of us cares to have our time together cut short, I make certain the consummation is well worth the sacrifice. After he cries out in release and falls across me, his heavy torso pressed into mine, I hold him close and whisper in his ear: “Now I am truly Queen of Mythanar.”

“Yes.” He pushes up slightly, gazing down into my face. One finger gently caresses the line of my cheek and jaw. “I suppose we ought to see you crowned.”

He sounds so resentful, I laugh outright. “We can come back here when the ceremony is finished.”

“Yes, but I may starve for the taste of you in the meanwhile.”

It isn’t difficult for him to make his case. I surrender once more to the pleasure he gives, gripping the blankets and staring up at the gently waftinglorststones until the rush floods my body, and I cry out his name. Then he spreads himself alongside me, his hand resting on my stomach, gazing at me, his eyes drinking in my body. My chest rises and falls swiftly as I struggle to reclaim my breath, lost in a happy daze.

Finally, I turn to him. “Satisfied now, husband?”

“Hardly,” he responds. His teeth flash in a devastating smile, one I know I shall crave to the end of my days. “But I suppose I shall have to be for a little while.” With that, he rises from our marriage bed, sweeps hair back from his face, and holds out one hand to me.

“Come, wife. Let us go and present you. It is high time my people properly honored their Queen.”

EPILOGUE

The coronation of Queen Faraine of Mythanar, Lady Protector of the Under Realm, was much talked of for generations to come.

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