Page 13 of Crown of Ashes and Desire

“Do it,” she challenged, eyes blazing. Her chin lifted in that stubborn way I remembered. “I dare you.”

Her courage in the face of certain death should have disgusted me, but instead, my chest tightened with something dangerously close to pride. Even broken, even hating me, she was still Ada—still the woman who would rather die than submit.

The wound would heal—they always did as my magic grew. The damage to whatever was left of my soul was another matter entirely. Through our newly formed bond, I felt an echo of her satisfaction at drawing my blood, her emotions bleeding into mine despite both our efforts to maintain barriers.

“Next time,” I said, shadows gathering around me, “aim better.”

“Next time,” she replied.“I won’t miss.”

I turned and left without another word, the taste of her light like ashes on my tongue. The darkness within me howled for her destruction, even as every fiber of my being screamed to protect her. I was being torn apart from within, and I deserved every moment of the agony.

For Ada’s sake, I hoped she would keep her promise. A clean death by her hand would be kinder than this endless, exquisite torture of loving what I needed to destroy.

Ada

Iawoke slowly, my body aching from the magical strain of our confrontation. The unfamiliar chamber was bathed in the dim light of shadow-fire torches, their cold flames casting dancing shadows across obsidian walls. For a moment, Icouldn’t remember where I was—then it all came flooding back. Hakan. The binding. My imprisonment in his fortress.

Melo was already awake, pacing anxiously by the window. The moment she saw my eyes open, she bounded over, her turquoise eyes bright with urgent news.

“Ada, thank the gods you’re awake. I have a word from Nadine,” she said, her mental voice tight with barely contained excitement. “About Kiraz.”

My heart leaped into my throat. I sat up too quickly, quickly and my head spun. “What? Tell me everything.”

Melo padded over, a tiny scroll concealed in the fur around her neck. I quickly retrieved it with trembling hands, unrolling the minuscule parchment.

K is safe. Missing you desperately. Full moon brings opportunity. Be ready. —N

Relief flooded through me so powerfully, I nearly wept. Kiraz was safe. My daughter was alive and protected. The Shadow Festival, a week away, would distract Hakan and his court with ancient rituals; that night was the full moon.

“Seven days.” I burned the message with a touch of light magic. “We just need to survive until then.”

I rose from the bed, my legs unsteady, and walked to the ornate mirror mounted on the far wall. Dark circles shadowed my eyes, and I looked pale, almost translucent in the strange light. I traced my fingers over my throat, checking for any marks from yesterday’s confrontation with Hakan.

The memory quickened my pulse—not because of desire, but because of the raw violence in his eyes when I’d driven that makeshift stake into his chest. The moment when his hand had closed around my throat hadn’t been passionate—it had been a warning, a demonstration of his power over me. The fact that he’d released me instead of crushing my windpipe had been mercy, nothing more.

“You were restless in your sleep,” Melo observed. “Dreams again?”

“Memories.” I turned away from the mirror. “Yesterday was…unfortunate.”

Melo snorted. “You stabbed him. I’d call that a good start.”

“I lost control.” I hated the admission. “I can’t afford to do that again.”

It was then that I noticed the black gown laid across the foot of my bed—heavy silk embroidered with shadow sigils, meant for the court gathering that evening. The dress was beautiful in its own dark way, designed to showcase my position as Hakan’s bound partner. As the Gölge Hanim.

“When did this arrive?” I fingered the rich fabric.

“This morning, along with the rest of your belongings,” Melo replied. “That Sarp fellow had them retrieved from your uncle’s house. Quite efficient, really. Though the servants who delivered everything looked terrified the entire time.”

I moved to the wardrobe and opened it, surprised to find my clothes neatly arranged inside. Everything was there—my gowns, my books, even my jewelry box. It felt surreal seeing my life from the Light Court transplanted into this shadow realm.

I had no intention of wearing the black gown.

“They left that monstrosity at dawn,” Melo said, curled at the window seat. “Along with minions who instructed me on the ‘proper manner’ to address my new master.” Her turquoise eyes gleamed with mischief. “I may have suggested some anatomically impossible activities for them to attempt.”

I smiled despite everything. The message from Nadine had given me the strength I needed. Seven days until the full moon. Seven days until I could escape this gilded prison and return to my daughter.

I paced my chambers, calculating risks. Defiance was dangerous, but submission was unthinkable. If Hakan wanted toparade me before his court, I would use the opportunity to show them I wasn’t just another conquest. I needed them to see me as Gün Ata’s daughter, heir to divine light—not merely Hakan’s bound consort. It was a gamble, but one I had to take.

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