Page 53 of Gua rdian of Blood and Shadow

Veris laughed, the sound like breaking ice. “You’re in no position to dictate terms,little girl.” He leaned back, his posture falsely relaxed. “But I’m feeling generous. I’ll release half the queens now. The rest, including your consort, remain until the curse is broken.”

“I need assurances,” I said, stalling. “A blood oath that you’ll honor your word.”

Something flashed in Veris’s eyes—triumph quickly masked. “A blood oath. How appropriate.” He extended his hand, palm up, a gesture as old as bargaining itself. “I accept.”

My mom’s ring flared hot enough to burn. I balled my hand into a fist in an attempt to suppress the pain, but I heeded the warning. The blood oath spelled danger—but why?

My lip curled, suspicion turning my stomach. “Not a blood exchange,” I clarified. “I’m not offering to bond with you.”

Veris’s smile thinned, the calculated charm slipping. “Come now, Luna. I can call you that, can’t I—Luna?”

I gritted my teeth.

His cheeks twitched with the hint of a heartless smile. “We both know that only Selene and Eos working together can break the curse. And we both know that only a queen in her full power—with a complete harem of seven—can appeal to Selene, just as only an elemental of the original bloodline can beseech Eos.”

I exchanged a wary glance with Javier over my shoulder. That certainly hadn’t beenmyexperience with Selene, but I wasn’t about to tell Veris that. The more I let him talk, the more he revealed, so I wasn’t about to cut him short if he was winding up to villain monologue.

“And wealsoboth know you are a couple of consorts shy of the complete set. It just so happens I have a guest from the original Star line on his way here right now, who I’m sure would be quite willing to be bound to the High Queen of the House of the Moon. You’ll need him to break the curse anyway, so it’s very convenient.”

“Actually,” I cut in. “I have my own—”

“Andwhile I could order one of my people to fill your otherhole, what kind of leader would I be if I asked my people to do something I’m unwilling to do myself?” His eyes hardened to chips of amber. “Your mother refused, and see how that turned out. I was good enough for her bed, but not for her bond.”

The revelation hit like a slap. My mom—andVeris?

“You’re lying,” I said automatically, even as doubt crawled up my spine.

“Am I?” Veris’s smile turned vicious, scenting weakness. “Ask your guardian. He was there, watching from the shadows. Diana’s faithful dog, yearning for scraps while I feasted.”

Javier’s rage surged through our bond like wildfire, nearly overwhelming in its intensity. His fingers tightened on my shoulder, his silence confirming Veris’s claim more effectively than words ever could.

“My mom would never—”

“Neverwhat? Stray outside her harem?” Veris laughed, hollow and cold. “Oh, but she would. She came back, again and again. Power seeks out power.”

A silver shimmer caught my eye behind Veris’s throne—stronger this time. A faintly humanoid shape. Not distinct enough to make out any discerning features.

“Lies…” The voice that accompanied the half-formed specter, however, was clearly identifiable. “Half-truths…”

My mom. She was here. Not in the middle of a ritual. Not summoned by divine power. She washere. Anchored here. Trapped here. I scanned the room. This sick psycho must have saved part of her body, holding her ghost captive, intentional or not.

“I used his weakness for flesh…”

I swallowed repeatedly, attempting to regain my voice. “Where is she?” I asked, my voice low and laced with cold rage.

Veris cocked his head slightly. “One of the queens?”

“Mymother, you sick fuck,” I hissed. “You kept part of her body. Where is it?”

Veris straightened, his eyes opening wide. He looked around, suddenly very much on edge. “She can’t manifest here. The wards—it’s impossible. He assured me—”

“You will release Gavin,” I ground out. “You will release the queens. And you will hand over whatever piece of my mom you kept as a trophy. Then, and only then, will I remove your curse.” I spat at his feet. “Take the deal or leave it. But know that if you reject my offer, Iwilluse mywillon you, and we’ll all find out once and for all if you’re stronger than alittle girl.And if you’re not—if I can command you—then I will get everything I want, and you and your people will get nothing. Not so long as you’re king.”

Veris curled his lip in distaste. “Deal,” he growled. His glare moved past me to the guards standing over Gavin. “Retrieve the queens.” Veris stood abruptly. “I’ll return shortly with the other item.Thenyou’ll uphold your end of the deal.” Without another word, he stalked away, leaving Javier, Gavin, and me alone in his war room with his stunned commanders.

31

ThemomentVerisdisappearedthrough the doorway, I rushed to Gavin, my heart hammering against my ribcage, and fell to my knees beside him. His body was a wreck—skin ashen where it wasn’t coated in dried blood, his usually immaculate appearance shattered by weeks of captivity. The cruel mask had left angry red gouges across his face, open wounds where corrupted manganese had rubbed his skin raw, and in his depleted state, he hadn’t had the energy to heal.

---