Page 139 of The King is Dead
“That purpose you’re chasing isn’t even your own. You know that. So do I. You’d rather be a fighter and a spy than a Ruler. But because your God made a decree, you are forced into corsets and arguing with men who can’t see what I see in you…” His gaze grew intense and he leaned closer. “You don’t have to live that life, Yilan.That’sthe deception. You were made for artifice and to walk the dark. You were made to be an assassin and a thief, not a Queen. And I will make that real for you.”
My breath rushed out of me as the words he spoke touched something so deep in me I hadn’t ever let myself even think it. His smile grew.
“I can give you Melek. I can hand you the Nephilim without a fight. Think about that…no war.”He took a step closer, his gaze growing more avid. “I can give you safety, a healthy mate, and the most powerful offspring that has ever lived. You could single-handedly change the world for the better.”
“You lying fuck. Leave mealone.”
I turned, intending to storm away, but his voice stopped me cold.
“One more step and your watchers will find you here, alone, and unshrouded—you’ve let go of the shadows because you fear that I’m right, are you aware of that? I have more power than you can evenfathom,Yilan. It’s mine to give. I’m already using it to protect you. But one more step…” His voice had been cold with warning, but it softened when he spoke again—almost crooning. “I know you. I know what you’re capable of—and how stupidly small the men in your life believe you to be. They’re wrong.Iknow that.”
I was frozen, scared of taking another step and being found out, but terrified of the Fallen Angel behind me as well. Stuck. And hating that his words rang withtruth.
“I willneverfollow you,” I snarled through my teeth, whirling to face him again. “I’ve seen what your power does to people. I’ve seen the evil of the Nephilim and—”
“Allthe Nephilim?” he asked casually, his brows rising slightly. I just stared. I wasn’t going to invoke Melek’s name. Not here. Not withhim.
Then he sighed like he was sad. “As I said, time grows short. Your options narrow with every step you take. So… just remember my offer. I can fix this. Until you’ve passed the point of no return, if you change your mind, just call for me. I’ll be listening.”
“I willnevercall for you.”
He shrugged. “We’ll see.”
“No! No, there is nothing to see—you could never say or do anything that would tempt me to want you—”
“Just remember the offer,” he said with a small, patronizing smile. Like I was a child throwing a tantrum that he was choosing to ignore.
He turned away and when his eyes were off me, I slumped. But then he turned back.
“Just one thing I forgot: I am patient. But there will come a time when things grow urgent. At that point, I’ll be back for you or…”
I swallowed. “Or?”
He gave that awful smile again. “Well… you’re a strong and handsome woman. I won’t deny that you’re my first choice. But I have discovered that the Shadekin as a people are strong. There are others here who would do as well. And if you force me to choose one of them, I won’t have any reason to keep you safe any longer.”
“You don’t protect me!” I snarled at him, sliding my hand into the sheath at my back.
Lucifer arched one brow. “You don’t have a clue all the things I’ve done for you, Queen of theShadowWalkers,” he said darkly. “Who the fuck do you thinkmadeyou?”
A flash of fear and pain jangled through my chest. Instinctively, I threw the knife—the serpentine flick that propelled a blade faster than an enemy’s eye could catch. But somehow, even faster, he was gone.
The blade whipped through the night air he’d inhabited a blink earlier and thunked harmlessly into a tree—
I sat bolt upright in bed, sucking at the air, panting, sweating, clapping a hand to Melek’s shoulder, who woke immediately and leaped to gather me in, his head whipping back and forth as he looked for the intruder.
“What is it? What’s wrong?” he demanded, pulling me higher on the bed with one arm to put himself between me and the unseen assailant as he threw the furs back with the other and prepared to leap from the bed.
But I grabbed for his shoulder and stopped him. “No, don’t leave me!” I gasped.
Melek’s head snapped back. He immediately gathered me into his chest, holding me to him, still looking around, then realizing that whatever had scared me wasn’t a physical threat.
“What is it? What happened? A dream?”
“We have to protect my people, Melek. My girls. My women—the Nephilim, the Fallen… they want them.”
Melek stared. “Istral?” he said hoarsely. “He’s after Istral?”
My blood ran cold, but I shook off the thought. “No, no, he spoke of… of strong people. Strong women.”Diadre.I swallowed hard. “He’s threatening my people soI’llgive in. We have to stand between them, Melek. Wehaveto get control of this whole fucking continent and teach them to resist.Now!”
