Page 5 of To Dwell in Shadows
She rushed across the marble floor to throw her arms around Selene as Arkaya looked on. When they released their embrace, Queen Thema looked over at Sam and winked. She knew he wasn’t one for casual hugging.
“What a wonderful surprise,” Queen Thema said.
Selene pulled off her backpack. “Brunie sent cloudberry muffins for you.”
“Delightful! How thoughtful of her.” The queen pulled out a muffin and then handed the pack to Arkaya. “Can you take these to my quarters? I don’t wish to share.”
“Of course,” Arkaya said.
The queen held the muffin to her nose and inhaled its aroma. “I had such a wonderful time at Brunie and Eldridge’s cottage. I was so taken by the songs they entertained me with that I am learning to sing.” Queen Thema motioned her dismissal to the Harpy tutor. “Now, what brings you back to my realm, dear ones? I hope you didn’t walk all this way. I could have sent a carriage for you.”
“No need, I brought us over,” Selene said, patting the traveler’s stone at her neck.
“Ah! An efficient way to travel.”
“Queen Thema, we came to ask you something,” Selene said.
The queen turned serious. “Anything you need, it’s yours.”
“It’s nothing like that.”
Queen Thema shook her head. “I owe you a great debt for my treachery. Although you know I wouldn’t have truly allowed Zaybris to make you his blood slave?—”
“We’ve already talked about this,” Selene interrupted.
Sam didn’t know if he could move past Queen Thema’s betrayal as quickly as Selene had, but he understood her inclination to choose peace over bitterness.
Selene gave Thema a soft smile. “We aren’t asking you for a favor.”
“Then what?”
“We’re planning a trip to the Underworld, and we’d like to bring you along.”
Queen Thema remained silent for a moment before saying, “The time has come to see Lilith? Truly?” Her golden eyes grew shiny. “I would like that very much.”
“She’s called Lamia now,” Selene corrected.
Arkaya clasped her hands over her heart. “Aurelia’s seven sisters can be whole again.”
“Yes,” Queen Thema said. “Although I don’t think she will wish to return if she’s as taken with Samael’s father as Selene has said she was.”
The queen’s words made Sam feel warm inside. Selene had told him in detail how his parents looked at each other, how King Asmodeus called Lamiamy treasure, and how their son’s disappearance had not weakened their mating bond. One of Sam’s fears was that the pain of his kidnapping would drive a wedge between his parents, so the knowledge that they remained deeply in love was a comfort.
The queen clapped her hands together. “Oh my, so much to do! When are we leaving?”
“We were thinking we could stay at the castle for a few days while you make arrangements. How much time do you need?” Selene asked.
“Just a day or two. I can ask Queen Delphine to rule in my stead. Arkaya, will you contact her?”
“Certainly,” Arkaya said.
The queen did an excited twirl on her furred foot. “Let us host a ball in celebration! To welcome you both back and as a farewell jubilee for my journey.”
“Wonderful idea, my queen,” said Arkaya.
“Samael and Selene, you’ll be our guests of honor, and we’llinvite all my subjects. It will be one of the biggest and grandest events I’ve had in years!”
Sam cringed. For him, attending a ball was an experience as torturous as a visit to the Underworld’s Sanctum of Agonizing Rectitude. He didn’t like the noise, the crowds, or the collective disdain for rules and order. He needed to stop Queen Thema’s planning before it went too far.
