Page 102 of Princess of Death

He paused, thinking over his request as the galleon rocked in the waves. His eyes were open and endless in depth, as if he imagined his future as he gazed upon the God of the Underworld. “Vampires.”

“I can’t give you an army of vampires.”

“I want us tobevampires.”

“I’m only taking one soul, so I can only grant this boon to you.”

“Fine. Then I’ll turn everyone else. I’ll make my own army.”

I’d warned Lily not to come to Riviana Star, and she’d proceeded anyway. She’d ignored my warning twice in a row, and now I was in the situation I’d been desperate to avoid. Kennt would have taken Riviana Star, but the Southern Isles would have been spared. He was unaware of the Realm of Caelum, had no idea that it was located inside the ancient tree. I’d agreed to this deal before I’d met Lily. If she’d come to my shores before him, I never would have negotiated with him when I knew it would come at her expense.

Now, I was trapped in deceit. Lying to the woman who burned inside my heart.

Her father had been mortally stabbed because of me. Riviana Star had burned because of me. Elves and men had died because of me.

She would never forgive me for that.

And she shouldn’t.