Page 89 of The Dark Lord's Guide to Dating

His scream lasted three seconds at most before the lightning bridge’s energy consumed him in a flash. Not even ash remained.

“Was that strictly necessary?” Vex asked, though she didn’t look particularly upset.

I brushed imaginary dust from my sleeves. “I was feeling dramatic.”

“You’re always feeling dramatic.” She kicked a loose stone over the edge, watching it vanish into the clouds below.

My shoulders tensed as the runes under my skin flared with leftover aggression. “So the king wants his bride back.”

“And Lord Evenfall wants his gold,” Vex added, coming to stand beside me. “You inadvertently rescued Lady Blackrosefrom a fate that makes your abduction appear downright chivalrous.”

I snorted. “I doubt she’d agree.” I dragged a hand through my hair. “Queen Arabella of Solandris,” I muttered, the words tasting sour. I pictured Auremar’s withered hands anywhere near her, and my shadows flickered furiously across the stones. Would she have preferred a crown and kingdom over this fortress and a Dark Lord? The question lit a fresh surge of rage in my veins.

“She’d have had power,” I said to Vex. “Resources. Royal guards instead of my shadows. An adoring court instead of terrified servants.”

“And a husband who bought her,” Vex said softly.

“As opposed to one who simply took her.” A humorless laugh escaped me. “No wonder she despises us all.”

“Maybe she wouldn’t, if you told her the truth.” Vex eyed me. “No leveraging, no threats. Just honesty. Stop treating her like a prize and treat her like a partner.”

I glared at her. “You make it sound so simple.”

“It is simple,” she corrected, undaunted by my scowl. “Just not easy.”

I turned back toward the parapet, staring down at the crackling bridge. Arabella was far from a simple captive. She’d fought, argued, defied me at every turn. After a lifetime of having her choices ripped from her by her father, she now clung to whatever autonomy she could grasp. And I’d approached her as just another conquest. How arrogant that now seemed.

I’d realized my error the night I returned from Evenfall’s estate, blood-soaked and raw with anger. I hadn’t told her what I’d seen yet, though I’d planned to soon.

“You’re overthinking this, Kazimir.”

I turned. Vex had only used my given name once before. “I’ll consider it,” I said at last.

She nodded, then melted into the shadows, leaving me with the wind and the echo of thunder below. I remained at the parapet long after she was gone, watching storm clouds churn until the sky fused with the abyss. I supposed I should feel guilty for depriving Arabella of her chance to be a queen. But I didn’t. Not even a little bit.

The wind dragged at my coat. I forced myself to turn for the stairwell, intending to return to my chambers, where she waited, still unaware of what I’d learned or what I had done.

Tomorrow, I might take Vex’s advice and try honesty for once. What was the worst that could happen?

Well, besides Arabella trying to kill me again.

38

TEACH DEADLY MAGIC (AND WIN A PRIZE)

KAZIMIR

The mouse skittered across the table, its whiskers twitching frantically. Arabella’s shoulders were rigid, her jaw set with clear reluctance. Her moral compass was so godsdamn inconvenient sometimes.

“Focus,” I commanded evenly. “Feel the life force within it. Then pull.”

“This is wrong,” she whispered, her fingers trembling slightly above the table.

“It’s necessary,” I insisted, despite my growing impatience. After learning about the king’s plans yesterday, I could no longer allow Arabella to be selective about what she learned. “You need to understand the full spectrum of your abilities.”

The mouse darted for the table’s edge, so I flicked a tendril of shadow to herd it back to the center. It squeaked in helpless protest.

“I can’t,” she muttered, her voice tight.

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