Page 27 of A Queen Of Broken Realms
I turn to Ashen and the red rings around his irises glow bright with fury. I squeeze his bloody hand and give him a fleeting smile. “Let’s go.”
Ashen’s throat bobs as he swallows. He releases a deep breath. He gives a single nod. “Dungeons,” he says to Cyrus without taking his eyes from me.
“Yes, sir.”
I turn and watch as the two soldiers tug on Pyrrhus’ chains. A flash of gratitude passes across the demon’s face and then he’s pulled out the door, the sound of chains clinking down the hall.
Cyrus turns to follow them but pauses on the threshold. “My Queen,” he says. He looks at me with a softness in his eyes, like the relief of a burden lifted. “Welcome home.”
CHAPTER11
For the first time in the Shadow Realm, I walk through the shroud of mist feeling at ease. The streets are still quiet, the details in the darkness concealed by fog. The crawlers still scuttle behind shrubs and peer around buildings, their shattered minds whispering to me. We see a few souls who stand and watch us pass. Their voices come alive in my head, if I let them. I see images of their former lives. Werewolves running through forests, witches picking herbs or collecting feathers. Even an apothecary, distilling poisons and potions in her light-filled laboratory. And some speak to me.Leucosia of Anthemoessa, they say. Bright soul. Queen of the Shadow Realm.
You would think it’s strange. Maybe it should be. But it makes me feel more comfortable here. Hearing their voices is like walking through the streets of the House of Virtues in the Realm of Light, where children play tag and dogs steal popcorn and people wave their greetings of welcome. Maybe here it’s a little less…cheery…and has more of aNightmare Before Christmasvibe, but I sense these souls are relieved to see me, even if they still suffer.
I intend to fix that.
And it seems Ashen might already have a head start on me.
“Where are the carriages?” I ask, looking around us as I strain to listen for their wheels lumbering down the road.
Ashen’s fingers tighten around mine as he glances down at me. His eyes are still ringed with red light, the flame within them black as the night sky. His wings flow behind us like a wraith. “Parked.”
“Parked. Parked where? The underground carriage garage?”
Ashen gives me the weakest, weariest smile. “Near House Mushussu.”
“Would that be your doing?”
Ashen shrugs. “Technically yours. I was just ensuring your wishes were followed.”
“And the souls? Won’t the hyenas eat them?”
Ashen raises our interlaced fingers to his lips and kisses my fingertips. “No, vampire. They have been rounded up. The souls are safe.”
“Well, I’m sorry I missed that. I’m sure it was fun trying to corral a bunch of decaying demon hyenas,” I say, relishing the feeling of Ashen’s gentle smile against my skin before he lowers my hand. “Anything else I missed? Is Urtur okay? I heard him howl and whine when we were attacked.”
Ashen’s palm grows hotter against mine. “He was injured but he is fine. I can’t say the same for your statue, however. A Nephilim broke it as they fought.”
“Oh Christ. I’m so sorry, Ashen. It was truly an incredible piece of art. So beautiful.” I squeeze Ashen’s hand and try to calm my emotion, knowing he can sense the swirl of sadness and anger through the bond we share. “Did you strip the bastard of his spine?”
“Unfortunately not. The Nephilim managed to flee. TheShub Lugalnearly caught up with them, but they escaped through a corridor and closed it behind them. I’ve shut all the remaining portals and positioned guards at each one. No traveling without permission. Any Reapers in the Living Realm will have to wait there until we can eradicate the threat.”
I take a deep breath, feeling a little lighter with that news. “We should establish a rotation of accessible portals and try and bring the Reapers home. Maybe Ediye can help to create a way they can communicate with us in case there’s an emergency. I wouldn’t put it past the Nephilim to launch another attack and I’d rather have a way for us to know in advance.”
“Consider it done. I will handle it tomorrow,” Ashen says, and we fall into thoughtful silence for a long moment as we walk. The whole ticking rings experience in the cavern has me desperate for a restful sleep, which will be easier knowing I hopefully won’t be attacked in the night again, at least for one night. Though in the Shadow Realm, there are never any guarantees.
“Any ideas how they got in?” I ask when I can muster the energy to speak again.
“Yes, actually,” Ashen says, his voice dropping an octave. “The demon who I was…working on…when you arrived. He took over from Ember when she was killed, pushing forward whatever her ultimate plan was. Zida tracked him in the Living Realm and brought him back. He has refused to give up his secrets despite the torture, however. It seems the others he was with knew very little of the plan.”
“Well, it’s a good thing I’m back in that case. I can try wrenching it out of his mind.”
Ashen slows to a stop, pulling me with him. He turns to face me. The warmth of his eyes traverses the angles of my cheeks and jaw. His gaze rests on my lips for a long moment before connecting to mine once more. “I am not sure that would be such a good idea,” he says as he sweeps locks of grimy hair from my shoulder. “His name is Joash. He is Hakan’s brother. The demon you killed on Anthemoessa.”
I blow out a long sigh through pursed lips. “Well. That might be a little awkward. I probably owe him an apology before I steal his secrets.”
“You owe him nothing,” Ashen growls, gripping my shoulder with burning fingers. The leathery skin of his wings crackles as threads of sparks snap and pop between the scales.
