Page 17 of Crown of Ashes and Desire

"Ah, yes, nothing says 'welcome to the family' like rodent control." Sarp chuckled. "Though I suspect Ada's more interested in hunting bigger game."

I managed a genuine laugh despite everything. "You always had a gift for understatement."

"It's a talent. I've been practicing my diplomatic skills on our host," Sarp continued, adopting mock seriousness. "Just this morning, I complimented him on how his brooding has reached new artistic heights. The way his jaw clenches when he's furious? Pure poetry."

Across the hall, I could see Hakan deep in conversation with Lord Kaya, but I felt his attention split between his discussionand our group. The bond between us hummed with his barely controlled irritation.

Enjoying yourself?His voice cut through my thoughts with icy precision.How touching that you’ve found such…supportive company.

I kept my expression neutral, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a reaction.Jealousy doesn’t become you, Hakan. Perhaps if you tried being less of a tyrant, you might have friends, too.

His mental presence withdrew abruptly, like a door slamming shut.

“He’s watching again, isn’t he?” Sarp observed.

"Always," I replied, the single word heavy in meaning.

Melo's ears twitched in amusement. "You know, for someone who claims to care nothing for you, he certainly pays you an awful lot of attention."

"I've noticed that, too," Sarp added in a theatrical whisper. "The way he glares across the room when anyone talks to you? I've seen less possessive behavior from dragons guarding their hoards."

“It’s not about me,” I said. “It’s about control. About winning.”

“Oh, absolutely.” Sarp nodded sagely. “That’s why he nearly shattered a wine glass when Lord Yilmaz complimented your dress. Pure strategic thinking, that.”

But even as I spoke the words, I wondered if I was trying to convince them or myself.

“Perhaps,” Melo said thoughtfully. “But I’ve seen how he looks at you when he thinks no one’s watching. Like a man dying of thirst staring at the last drop of water.”

Sarp snorted. “More like a man who’s accidentally set fire to his own house and is now wondering if he can put it out by glaring at it hard enough.”

“Then he should have thought of that before he chose power over love,” I replied, sounding bitter.

“Things aren’t always what they seem in Kara Cehennem,” Sarp said. “Even for those of us who live here.”

The evening continued, our small group maintaining careful political distance while finding moments of genuine connection. I knew I was making enemies, and I knew I was putting myself at risk. But for the first time since being dragged into this nightmare, I felt something like hope.

Seven days until the full moon. Seven days until I could escape this gilded prison and find my way back to Kiraz.

I only hoped that in my efforts to challenge Hakan, I hadn’t set in motion something I couldn’t control.

Hakan

The day after Ada’s defiance at court, I summoned my demonic cousins to the estate. Not a family reunion—a calculated display of power. The sons and daughters of Erlik’s inner circle were vicious, sadistic creatures born of pure shadow, each more ambitious than the last. All of them hadsneered at me once—the half-breed bastard with human blood tainting my veins. All of them had underestimated me. None of them would make that mistake again.

“Quite the domestic arrangement you’ve made for yourself, cousin,” Azra remarked, her obsidian eyes scanning the great hall with predatory interest. Darkness writhed beneath her skin, occasionally breaking through to form twisted patterns before sinking back into her flesh. “Though Erlik questions your…attachment to this light-bearer.”

“Father questions everything,” I stated coldly. “It’s why he remains unchallenged after ten thousand years.”

Rezen, the eldest of my cousins, sneered. “And yet he wonders if perhaps you’ve inherited your mother’s weakness. Sentiment is such a human failing.”

My shadow magic coiled tighter in response to the deliberate provocation. These creatures had tormented me during my training and had laughed when Erlik’s punishments left me broken and bleeding. Each of them had expected—hoped—to see me fail. Each had been disappointed when I’d surpassed them all.

“Sentiment didn’t stop me from beheading three of your favorite minions last month,” I replied, my tone like ice. “Or executing that lieutenant of yours who thought he could challenge my authority in the eastern territories? What was his name again?”

Rezen’s expression faltered. “Orias.”

“Ah, yes. I recall now. He screamed impressively when the darkness took him.” The implicit threat hung between us. “You always chose poorly in your followers, cousin.”

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