Page 482 of Kingdoms of Night

But could I do it? I may have been the lone woman to not crumble at the bass of his voice, or collapse at the frightening sight of his cursed form, but could I love him? What did that even mean?

It was his turn to crack a humorless joke. “An apt punishment for denying the one I ought to love unconditionally, isn’t it?”

“It’s not about love, it’s about the control they think we owe them for existing.”

“To such people, it is one and the same.” Tamuz gripped my hands and tendrils swirled down from his body to my own, wrapping around my aching limbs. “Due to such experience, I’m afraid I don’t know how to obtain the love needed to defy the fate she’s set for me.”

Before I could question his faith or his actions, I felt great pressure lift off me, just enough for blood to rush through me and fill me with a drowsing flush. Right before my eyes, I watched my bruises fade, skin returning to an even tone.

Overwhelmed, I couldn’t hold back the tears that flowed out my burning eyes. “How did you…?”

“Remnants of my lunar magic, just as it affects the tides, I can influence your blood flow.”

That he certainly seemed to do, as a flush had filled my face and the warmth filling me wasn’t the heat of stress, but of ease. A sensation I rarely experienced.

I reached for his mask, attempting to imagine the face that matched his voice. “How can you be seen in the shadows?”

The dragon creature slipped into frame, wrapping around him with a protective stare that had me fearing for my hand.

“Iltani, it’s all right.” He pet her scaly snout, coaxing her to break the intimidation with a blink. “She has grown wary since Ashtara’s attack.”

“What is she?”

“Abashmu, among the masters of the air, like birds where you’re from.”

Urge proving too great, I tentatively reach out—not for him, but for her. He mistook it as persistence, standing. “There is no use in unmasking me. You won’t find anything underneath.”

“Then why the disguise?”

“I’ve found this to be a better alternative after appearing as I am to the others.”

That partly explained the terms of his curse, but not how it could be undone.

“What happens if you take it off, will I turn to stone?”

Tamuz brushed his knuckles against my frizzy hair. “As lovely as a statue you would make, no. I’m unable to see myself as others do, but judging by the reactions, it is an unpleasant sight.”

“So, how do I do as Ashtara said?”

He laughed, a sad, aching noise. “The best my underlings could gleam from the curse is that I need my bride to show me she loves me.”

“How?”

I couldhearhim grinning. “Now, isn’t that the curse-breaking question?”

CHAPTERSEVEN

Perhaps it wasn’t so literal. It might require a grand display, just a strong enough intention or even just a gesture.

The prospect of being a savior was what I had arrived here with, so why did these new conditions intimidate me?

Here I sat, gazing up at a god limited by a divine curse. A god who was my husband. And I didn’t know what to do with him.

Tamuz broke the nerve-wracking silence, helping me to my feet. “This is hardly the time to get into specifics. You must rest properly, adjust to being here, then, if you’re still undisturbed by my presence, we can continue.”

I leaned against him, allowing him to lead us out of the apparent prayer room. Its very existence was baffling, that the home of a deity had such a thing. Then I remembered hundreds of mortals must reside here. “You think I’ll come to my senses and fear you once I get some sleep?”

“There has to be a reason you are in possession of your wits, and it could very well be exhaustion.” He turned us into a hall where Suzianna and Baltasar lingered, postures tense. “They have been with me for years. Baltasar even knew me before, and yet, they can’t hide their discomfort.”

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