Page 149 of Of Spindles and Nightfall
“Marbas, assist Aryana to the throne room. Then you have permission to grant temporary access to whomever is necessary in order to take care of those in my chambers,” Zarathos said.
“Yes, sir.” Marbas proceeded to help Aryana while everyone else moved to do as they were instructed.
“Marbas, wait. There is a healing potion on Tigon’s corpse. Bring it here and give it to Aryana.”
“Yes, my king.” He hurried away to do as bidden.
Zarathos sank next to Aryana, finally letting his screaming body take full control. Somehow, somehow, they’d both made it through this hell alive. He lowered his head to his knees and reached out to her, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Well, Vampress, we certainly gave them a show, didn’t we?”
A soft smile crossed her lip. “We certainly did.”
“I thought you’d left me there for a moment.”
Fierceness flashed in those lovely eyes. “I’d never leave you. I told you. I’m yours, always and forever.”
He’d once believed that loving her would be his downfall. But he’d been wrong. It wasn’t love that destroyed. Her unwavering devotion, her fierce strength, had pulled him back from the edge when hope was gone. Today, it wasn’t death that claimed him.
It was love that saved him.
Chapter 50
Aryana
Aryana walked into the throne room, Zarathos at her side.
“I remembered my true name,” he said to her.
Her eyes widened. “You did?”
He nodded. “Rumpelstiltskin.”
Her nose wrinkled, and he couldn’t help but laugh.
“You don’t like it?”
“It will take some getting used to.”
“Gresil called me Rumpel most of the time.”
“Do youwant me to call you that?”
He tilted his head thoughtfully. “I’m used to being called Zarathos. It would be strange to change it now. But I still wish to claim it somehow.”
The throne room was vast and dark. A throne made of bones sat at its center. Shadows seemed to dance in the corners, alive with whispers and unsettling echoes.
The healing potion she’d taken had gone into effect immediately for her, returning feeling to her limbs. But Zarathos had been much more injured than her, and he was still mending. But she knew better than to offer him assistance. Right now, he needed to look like he was capable of being the king he was.
He turned toward a soldier, awaiting orders. “Search anyone who enters. Ensure they are who they say they are.”
“Yes, sire,” he said.
Marbas returned from his task and, after being searched, bowed. “Are you sure this is the right path forward, Your Majesty? You’re rewarding these rebels.”
“I’m remedying a grave error made by myself and the kings before me,” Zarathos said. “Today is a day for rectifying mistakes.” He nodded to Aryana, handing her the scepter. “Go sit on the throne.”
She stared at him in surprise. “But you’re the arch king.”
“And you’re the demon arch queen. You saved this kingdom. You are their ruler, and everyone who walks through that door will know that.”
