Page 14 of Crown of Ashes and Desire

I told myself the balance of power here was delicate, that I was being strategic, but the truth was simpler and more dangerous—I was acting on pure emotion, letting my rage override caution. Every choice tonight was driven by my need to hurt him as he’d hurt me. If I could plant seeds of doubt about the permanence of our bond, it might offer me protection. At the very least, it would remind Hakan that I wasn’t so easily controlled.

I searched through my belongings until I found what I was looking for—a gown of pale- blue silk, simple but undeniably of Light Court design. I’d brought it for my honeymoon with Deniz, never imagining I’d wear it here, in the heart of shadow.

“Oh, he’s going to be livid when he sees you in it,” Melo said appreciatively.

“Good.” I laid out the dress. “It’s time to remind him who exactly he’s bound himself to.”

“Some of these shadow lords would happily see you disposed of.”

“Let them try,” I said, my light magic flaring briefly at my fingertips.

Light magic responded to emotion, flowing through my veins like liquid sunlight. The binding with Hakan had unexpectedly stabilized my power—shadow and light creating balance rather than chaos. Against shadow magic, it created a unique friction…

“They might discover that light burns as readily as shadow consumes,” I said, my voice hard with determination.

The murmur of conversation died when I entered the great hall. The Shadow Court elite had gathered in their finest, dark garments rippling with embedded magic and power.

And there I stood in pale-blue silk, my father’s light sigil openly displayed at my throat.

Sarp spotted me first, choking slightly on his drink before breaking into a broad grin. He nudged Hakan, who was deep in conversation with Lord Kaya.

Hakan turned, and the temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees. His expression remained neutral, but suddenly?—

TAKE IT OFF. NOW.

The command slammed into my consciousness with brutal force. Our bond was still new and unstable—in his extreme emotional state, his fury had triggered the deeper layer of connection, allowing not just emotions but the sharp edge of his wrath to transfer as physical sensation.

The protective magic within the binding recoiled against his attempt to use our connection as a weapon, sending an echo of pain back to him that made his shadows flicker with uncertainty.

I physically flinched while his voice thundered through our connection, invasive and overwhelming.

Get out of my head,I managed to respond, struggling to maintain my composure while my heart hammered.

You will turn around, go back to your fucking chambers, and change into something appropriate,he commanded, each word precise and razor-edged.Or I will burn that dress off you in front of everyone here.

His fury was so intense it triggered the bond's deeper layer—what should have been mere emotion became searing heat across my skin. But the binding's protective magic immediately retaliated, sending a wave of backlash through our connection that left him staggering slightly, his shadows wavering as pain lanced through him in return.

I gasped audibly, drawing curious glances. The sheer audacity of the attack stunned me. He hadn’t just threatened—he had acted, using our connection as a weapon.

“Ah, the lady honors us with her presence,” Lord Kaya said, his tone carefully diplomatic despite my obvious discomfort.

Through sheer force of will, I kept my expression neutral and stepped farther into the room.Touch me like that again,I projected back. I infused my thoughts with deadly promise,and I will show you exactly how much damage light can do to shadow. Bond or no bond.

“I wouldn’t miss it,” I said, my voice remarkably steady. “One should know one’s…neighbors.”

You have ten seconds to leave.Hakan’s mental voice was colder than I’d ever heard it.Or I will make tonight memorable in ways you cannot imagine.

I’ve survived worse than you,I countered, keeping my thoughts carefully guarded. He would never know how thoroughly he had broken me.

Another flash of pain—this time like needles of ice driving into my nerve endings. I bit my lip to keep from crying out.

That wasn’t my worst,he promised darkly.Not even close.

“Indeed.” Kaya’s gaze flicked to my dress, then to Hakan. “Though it seems you’ve brought a bit of the light realm with you.”

“Some things aren’t so easily left behind.” I focused on keeping my voice level while raw hatred surged through me.

Hakan moved toward me with liquid grace, shadows swirling subtly around him. When he reached me, he caught my hand and raised it to his lips in what appeared to be a gesture of affection. His grip was iron, his eyes glacial.

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