Page 59 of Crown of Ashes and Desire

Hakan

Three days had passed since Ada’s explosive confrontation in my study, three days since she had destroyed my sanctuary and nearly brought down the castle’s wards with her unleashed power.

The memory of her pinned to the wall, her light intertwining with my shadows, haunted me through sleepless nights. I had been avoiding her chambers, knowing that seeing her again would shatter what little control I had left. But solitude offered no respite—not when my father's presence loomed over the boundaries of my realm like flood waters testing a dam.

I had felt his presence before the messenger had arrived. The temperature had plummeted, shadows deepening in corners where light normally reached. Even my shadows stirred restlessly, responding to a power far greater than my own. Unlike the pure darkness many expected from the Demon of Ashes and Shadows, Erlik's presence carried the weight of ancient knowledge, of centuries watching realms rise and fall.

"Fuck," I muttered, and run a hand through my dark-blond hair. I hadn't slept properly in days, not since that encounter with Ada in my study. The memory of her defiance, of nearly losing control with her trapped beneath me, haunted me day and night.

The court messenger found me in the war room, his face ashen, breath fogging in the unnaturally cold air.

“My lord,” he stammered, and fell to his knees. “Your father sends word. He demands your immediate presence in the shadow realm.”

I kept my expression neutral despite the ice that formed in my veins. “When?”

“Now, my lord. He’s opened a direct gateway.” The messenger swallowed hard. “He says the Crown of Ashes Ritual has been delayed long enough.”

Almost instinctively, I reached out through the bond that connected me to Ada.He’s summoning me. My father grows impatient with our…arrangement.

A faint echo returned—wariness, and underneath it all, a flicker of something that might have been concern. At least she wasn’t blocking me completely anymore.

“Interesting timing,” Sarp remarked from the doorway, his usual casual demeanor replaced with tension. “Right after your little domestic explosion three days ago.”

“He has spies everywhere,” I replied. “Our…disagreement…wasn’t exactly subtle.”

“Neither was the magic storm that nearly tore holes in the realm’s boundaries,” Sarp pointed out. “Hard to miss that sort of thing when you’re the demon lord of all shadow realms.”

I shot him a warning look. “Remember your place when we’re there.”

The shadow gate materialized in the center of the room—a swirling vortex of absolute darkness that led directly to Kara Cehennem. The air shimmered and sparked around its edges, tiny arcs of violet light dancing across my skin. The acrid scent of sulfur and ash from my father's domain slithered in, coating my throat and making my eyes water.

“This is different,” I said, and studied the gateway’s violent edges. “He’s not just summoning me. He’s making a statement.”

“Then we’d better not keep him waiting,” Sarp replied, though his hand moved instinctively to his weapon.

The journey through the shadow realm felt longer than usual, the darkness more oppressive. When we emerged in the great hall of Kara Cehennem, I immediately understood why. The entire shadow court had assembled—not just my father’s inner circle, but representatives from all seven shadow houses, including several who had opposed my binding to Ada. Notably absent was Kaan, my older half-brother who ruled the Seven Houses in my father’s name. His empty seat at the high table spoke volumes—Kaan had made his opposition to Erlik’smethods clear in recent years, and his absence from this gathering was likely deliberate.

The absence of my brother’s moderating presence meant the assembled lords were more volatile, more eager to curry favor with Erlik directly. Without Kaan’s diplomatic restraint, this gathering would be far more dangerous—both for me and any perceived weakness I might show.

At the center of it all, seated upon the Obsidian Throne, was Erlik himself.

My father looked exactly as I remembered—ageless, commanding in the way that predators were mesmerizing, with features that might have been carved from shadow itself. His eyes held the depthless black of the void between stars, and when he smiled, it was with the satisfaction of a spider welcoming prey to its web.

“My son,” he said, his voice carrying easily through the vast chamber. “How good of you to join us. We have much to discuss.”

I approached and bowed—not deeply, but enough to acknowledge his authority in his realm. “Father. You summoned me.”

“Indeed. It seems your…domestic situation requires clarification.” His smile never wavered, but something dangerous flickered in those black eyes. “Tell me, how does your binding with the light-bearer progress?”

The question carried weight I couldn’t quite interpret. Every shadow lord in the chamber was listening, waiting to see how I would respond. I felt the weight of their collective gaze,

“The binding grows stronger daily,” I replied carefully. “Ada’s light responds to my shadow magic as the ancient texts describe.”

“Does it?” Erlik rose from his throne with predatory grace. “Because my sources suggest you’ve been…distracted by your bride. That perhaps sentiment clouds your judgment.”

A ripple of murmurs spread through the assembled court. Some looked eager for my downfall, others calculating how my father’s displeasure might benefit them.

“I’m protective of what’s mine,” I said, and let shadows coil around my fingers. “Surely you understand the value of that.”

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