Page 36 of To Dwell in Shadows
“Even better,” Asmodeus said. “You have untapped power within. Now, what caused all this fuss, anyway?”
Queen Thema sniffed disdainfully. “Your subjects thought it would beamusingto trick some of the lost souls who roam this realm into believing they were being tortured. Your Guide”—she gestured toward Vanthee, who sat alone with her arms crossed—“attempted to stop their barbaric game. I lent her my support, and a brawl began.”
“Seems like a lot of fuss over nothing,” Queen Lamia said coolly.
Thema clutched her chest. “Sister, there wereAureliansamong those being affected. That is unacceptable!” She shook her head, scoffing. “When I host an event, I make certain my subjects are suitably entertained at all points during the celebration. I suggest you do the same.”
“Well, this isn’t Aurelia, and your unsolicited advice isn’t welcome,” Queen Lamia snapped. “Those souls are simply echoes, not living beings.”
“And that sanctions cruelty? No. The expressions on those poor souls’ faces is something I won’t soon forget,” Thema replied.
Selene silently agreed. Watching those spirits—or ghosts or whatever they were—suffer had been heartbreaking. Why was the land of the dead so callous to the ones already lost? She searched the room for the spectral forms, but they had all vanished.
A pair of imps set down plates of roasted meat before them. Another brought a basket of bread and began filling their goblets with wine. Selene was still buzzing with adrenaline, so she could only pick at her food and listen to the murmur of demon voices humming through the hall.
In between courses, Mammon approached the table and bowed before Sam. “May I be the first from the Legion of Temptation to welcome you home, Prince Samael. I am Mammon, demon of Greed and one of your father’s most trusted advisors.” Rivulets of grease were running down the sides of his mouth, and bits of shredded meat stuck to his bare chest.
“Thank you,” Sam said, obviously trying to hide his revulsion. “I am pleased to meet you.”
Mammon held Sam’s gaze for an uncomfortably long time, then turned to King Asmodeus. Speaking in low tones, he said, “Your son’s emergence signifies a new contender for Dark Sovereign, does it not?”
“It does.”
Selene shot Sam a questioning look. He responded by mouthing,Later.
“Good, good.” Mammon began using his long fingernails to pick his teeth.
He continued to hover, looking between Sam and the king, until Asmodeus said, “Leave us, Mammon. We’ll speak of this at a council meeting later.”
“Of course.” Mammon bowed again and clomped back to his seat.
Taking their cue from Mammon, other well-wishers approacheduntil it became a continuous stream of demons introducing themselves to Sam. Selene watched the subtle way Sam’s posture tightened with each passing minute. He answered politely, even managed a few forced smiles, but she could see he was barely holding it together.
When King Asmodeus finally rose and declared the celebration of Sam’s return concluded, Sam didn’t waste a second. He reached for Selene’s hand and said, “Let’s go.”
Together, they slipped away from the banquet hall, leaving the noise and crowd behind.
Back in their chambers, the fire in the hearth crackled softly. Selene helped Sam out of his tunic, brushing her fingers over his shoulders. “Do you want to talk about it?” she asked, more invitation than pressure.
He gave a small shake of his head. She nodded, giving him the space he needed. A hot bath would’ve felt incredible after such a trying day, but she was too tired to do anything but change into her nightgown.
Sam undressed wordlessly and lay back on the bed, eyes fixed on the ceiling. For a long time, there was only the sound of their breathing and the occasionalpopof fire from the hearth. Finally, he spoke.
“I think the shadows became a hydra because I wanted to protect you from each of those Lust demons. I let my instincts flow, and that’s what manifested.”
“That makes sense,” Selene said carefully.
He was silent for several more minutes. Then he said, “But before the banquet, after you and Thema left… my parents told me something.”
“What was it?”
His words came slowly at first, but once he began,the story spilled out in a rush. He told her what his parents had revealed about the Dark Sovereign. Selene listened calmly, even as her thoughts churned. It all sounded like something from a movie. A year ago, she might have dismissed it as fantasy. But now? Anything was possible.
When Sam finished, Selene climbed into bed next to him and said, “No ruler for a whole century? That’s terrifying.”
“I know,” Sam said. He pressed his fingers to his temples. “But why must it be me? Blood alone isn’t reason enough. I’m not fit to rule—and I don’t want to.”
“Did you tell them that?”
