Page 70 of Shadows of Fate

“Of course, Master,” Cora whispered. I heard her and the other girl’s footsteps leave the throne room.

My heart started thudding against my rib cage as he continued walking until he stopped in front of me. “Look at me, Viktor, and rise to your feet.”

I looked up into his startling blue eyes and slowly rose from the floor. We were so close I could feel the heat coming from his body. His dark hair was perfectly styled in straight locks that framed his sharp features. Not a blemish in sight.

“I’m proud of you, Viktor, have I told you that lately?” he asked me, his tone so gentle it made my insides purr.

“No, Master. You haven’t. But I always know you are. It shows in your actions,” I replied, trying not to stumble over my words. Trying to sound more confident than I felt in his presence.

He smirked and gripped my chin. He was a bit shorter than me, the top of his head reaching my eyebrows, but it had never taken away from the power he emanated whenever he blessed me with his presence and attention. I’d worked tirelessly for so many years to garner his favor and then build his trust in my abilities. To finally have it meant everything to me.

“You miss nothing, Viktor, and I love that about you.” My heart nearly stopped when he pulled my mouth to his in a quick, delicate kiss. His lips felt like ice against mine, and I’d never craved the cold more than I did right now. “Come with me.”

He led me away from the throne room and into one of his chambers. The room was gold, beige, and blue—just like the rest of the castle. His bed was in the middle of the room, surrounded by large open windows and gold sheer curtains. Normally there were other females in the room, kneeling on the floor and waiting for him to call upon them. But tonight, it seemed to be just the two of us. My palms started to feel clammy at the thought.

He sat on the bed, pulling me in front of him. “Kneel, Viktor. Your gaze may remain.”

I dropped to my knees, glancing up at him, waiting for what was to come.

“I know this work I’ve had you doing hasn’t been… easy, Viktor. I know it’s been challenging losing friends along the way, having to work with the squalor you’ve been forced to entertain.” He shook his head in disgust before his voice softened. “I hope you’ll make it to see the end of this game with me. I think you’ll look handsome on a throne next to me, Viktor. Truly.” He ran his hands through my hair and smiled sadly, as if he knew something that I didn’t.

“I need you to finish questioning Raiden before Silvana finds him,” he stated.

“Before Silvana finds him? But, Master, I thought—” He shook his hand, and I stopped speaking.

“Did I ask for your thoughts, Viktor?” I shook my head, my gaze returning to the floor. “Silvana will find him, and that will be fine. They’ll come here together, and that’s what I need. Her back under my line of sight. I’ll handle the rest.”

Anxiety started to rise in my chest, but I pushed it down. He’d tell me what I needed to know, and I didn’t need to worry about the rest. I just needed to do my job and make him proud.

So that’s what I’d do. I didn’t care about a throne or the recognition. I just wanted to be by his side, so I’d do whatever was asked of me. I’d already taken care of the mighty shadow lord—what else could possibly get in the way of me and the male I loved? Nothing.

Keres was mine, and nothing would stop us.

Especially not Silvana, of all females.

Chapter36

Warmth of the Sun

Silvana

Stretching out, I could feel the warmth of the sun caressing my bare skin. I was lying on a plush spot of grass in the middle of a vast meadow, the sun shining on my face, I looked to the sky and smiled. Rolling over, I kissed his shoulder. I’d felt his presence next to me as soon as I’d opened my eyes. He peered down at me, his onyx eyes saying everything words would never be able to cover.

“Hello, my darling. Did you sleep well?” he asked, his voice still groggy from a deep sleep.

“Always next to you, My Lord,” I replied, my voice sounding soft. I playfully nibbled on his shoulder until he rolled over, pinning me beneath his solid body. I ran my fingers through his thick dark hair and smiled as it cascaded over his shoulders and onto my naked chest, his length already hard and pressing against my thigh.

“You look so beautiful in the sunlight like this, My Queen. Free and happy,” he murmured against my skin as he gently kissed along my collarbone.

“I always look like this when I’m with you,” I replied, which earned me a genuine smile. The smile lit up his entire face and made him look like the human version of Raiden I’d seen in my dream. The one without the weight of an entire court of people depending on him.

I ran my hands down his broad shoulders, letting my fingertips run along the dark ink that was set into his pale skin, only stopping once my fingers hit his wrist where our bonding mark lay. He was stunning and he was mine. But a part of me, the logical part I hated right now, knew this wasn’t real. Not fully.

“I’m going to find you, Raiden. I won’t stop until you’re back with me,” I whispered.

He looked up at me, his eyes suddenly somber as if he were thinking the same thing I was. I wasn’t sure if this was truly him, or if my mind made this up. I wasn’t sure if there was a way for me to know.

“I could pass on into the next life, Silvana, and I would find a way back to you. Dust in the wind, and I would will the Fates to bring a breeze my way to bring myself back to you, even if to only be back in the presence of your soul. I will always be with you, no matter what it takes or who I must kill, I will be with you again,” he proclaimed.

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