Page 79 of To Dwell in Shadows
“Thank you. How do you think your parents will react?”
“Not well. But if this is true, they don’t really have a choice, do they?” Sam crossed his arms, considering how to approach this issue. “Tomorrow, I’ll speak with Vanthee.”
“It’s going to be a lot for her to take in.”
“Yes, but since I don’t fully trust her, I want to get a feel for whether she’s amenable to ruling. I’d like to know if she would fight for the role without knowing she was destined for it.”
“I like that plan.”
He refolded the portrait and handed it back to Selene. “Even though I’m not the Dark Sovereign, I feel responsible for leaving the realm in good hands.”
“Of course you do,” Selene said, gazing at him in a way that sent a pleasant shiver through him.
“What does that mean?”
She laid her head on his shoulder. “It means I think I’m mated to the most honorable demon who ever existed.”
Chapter 39
The next day, Sam sent an imp to summon Vanthee for a private meeting in the pomegranate groves. It was a secluded place where they wouldn’t be disturbed. As he waited, he wandered among the trees, their twisted, gnarled branches reaching toward the orange-red sky like grasping hands. Only a few withered fruits still clung stubbornly to the limbs, their red skins shriveled and darkened to near black.
“What do you want?”
Vanthee’s voice echoed through the trees, sharp and suspicious. Sam turned to find her standing a few paces away, arms crossed. The seductive look she’d worn the last time they were alone had been replaced by open hostility.
“Hello,” he said. “Thank you for coming.”
“You’re welcome,” Vanthee said coolly. "But can we make this quick? I’m quite busy.”
“Certainly. Walk with me, will you?”
A gust of wind stirred the grove, rustling the few leaves that remained on the trees. Vanthee hesitated, then fell into step beside him, arms still crossed tight against her chest.
“I want to ask you a few questions. Is that all right?” Sam said.
“Ask away.”
“Good. When you competed in the Infernal Combat Trial, what were you hoping to achieve?”
She didn’t answer right away. He waited.
“This is just between us,” he added. “I have no right to your secrets. I’m only trying to understand.”
“I had an enemy among the competitors. I wanted to kill him,” she said defiantly. Then, in a quieter tone, she muttered, “I stupidly thought I could impress you, as well.”
“I see. But you mainly wanted to harm Drath.”
“Harm him? I wanted him to meet his true death. Then my father’s debt to him would be absolved, and I would be free.” Her voice began to rise with passion. “I have thought of a thousand ways to break our engagement, but a sanctioned way to kill him was too good to pass up. I’m only sorry I didn’t succeed.”
Sam nodded with understanding. “What debt does your father owe to Drath?”
“It’s complicated,” Vanthee said flatly.
Her tone made it clear that further questions were unwelcome, and they walked in silence, their footsteps crushing brittle leaves and broken twigs.
“So you weren’t trying to become the king’s champion?” Sam asked at last.
“Not at that point.”
