Page 69 of To Dwell in Shadows
A small flicker of satisfaction warmed Selene knowing that Sam’s love for her had withstood even a demoness’s attempt at seduction. But she didn’t dare let it show.
Vanthee was quiet for a moment, then sniffed bitterly. “He really loves you. And he wants nothing to do with me.”
“Do you truly have to marry Drath?”
“I don’t know. Probably. He called it off after I tried to murder him, but lately he’s been asking about me. I don’t know what sort of deal he and my father have now.”
A single tear tracked down her cheek. Then she turned and continued up the stairs.
Selene shuddered. There were few things she could imagine worse than being Drath’s wife. They resumed their slow ascent, the silence broken only by Vanthee’s quiet hiccups as she tried to stifle her tears.
When they reached the top, Selene felt as though she should say something, but didn’t know what. Finally, she settled on, “Vanthee, I’m sorry that Sam couldn’t give you what you wanted. Is there anything he or I could do to help you?”
“Still trying to get on my good side,” Vanthee said bitterly, wiping at her eyes with the back of her hand.
“No—”
“Here’s what you can do. Just let me be miserable in peace.”
Chapter 34
Sam was with Borias outside the Sanctum, discussing a soul who had damaged one of the judgment doors in an escape attempt, when the sound of heavy footsteps interrupted them. He turned to see Drath approach. A bandage was wound around his head, and he wore an unsettling grin.
Sam looked away, hoping Drath was merely passing by, but then he stumbled toward them. Borias’s thick arm shot out, stopping Drath from colliding with Sam.
“Watch where you’re walking,” Borias growled.
“A thousand apologies,” Drath drawled, pointing at the ground. “I nearly tripped on this loose cobblestone.”
Sam glared at him but didn’t respond.
“Pay attention next time,” Borias said.
“I will,” Drath replied, then took a step closer to Sam. “However, someone should do something about the decay that has beset this realm, don’t you think?”
Drath looked expectantly between Sam and Borias. When neither responded, he crossed his multiple arms and added, “It wasn’t always like this, was it Borias?”
“No,” Borias said coolly. “But I am not so fragile that it bothers me.”
Drath huffed out a rusty laugh. “It’s not luxury and comfort I seek, but discipline. If a ruler cannot maintain appropriate standards—if he lets things as simple as a broken road slide—there should be consequences.”
He turned his painted face to Sam, giving him a meaningful look that instantly put him on alert. “What is your meaning?” Sam asked.
Drath used the heel of his foot to realign the loose cobblestone. “I mean that I would like to see the Underworld commanded by someone with true power and ambition.” He locked eyes with Sam and licked his lips. “Someone more ruthless than your father.”
Borias seized Drath’s cloak and yanked him forward, their faces inches apart. “How dare you insult my king! Especially in front of Prince Samael.”
“I was only stating facts,” Drath spat. “When the next trial takes place, I intend to rise above the rest. To secure my place. If our great and powerful king wants a champion, then let it be me.”
Drath squirmed out of Borias’s grip and then turned his sunken eyes back to Sam. “It will be me.”
The unspoken meaning of his words made Sam’s blood run cold.
He knows the true purpose of the trials.
“Why are you bothering us?” Borias asked. “Go rant and rave somewhere else.”
Drath’s mouth stretched into a grimace. “When I amchampion, this realm will brim with horror as it’s never known. All the dead will be punished, perhaps for eternity. Our lakes of fire shall churn with writhing flesh, our abyssal pits will echo with endless screams, and the eternal flames will consume all they caress.”
