Page 91 of Crown of Storm and Silence
Zohan takes a careful breath, clearly working to regain his diplomatic mask. "I came to discuss your future," he says to me, his voice carefully controlled. "The Light Court has made arrangements—safe passage, secure lodging, protection for you and the child."
"Arrangements?" I repeat, something cold settling in my stomach.
"We can't leave you here, Nesilhan," he continues earnestly. "Not with him growing more unstable by the day. The poison is changing him, making him dangerous in ways you can't imagine."
"Here comes the rescue fantasy," Banu mutters under her breath.
"The poison spreads because he absorbs shadow poison to contain it," I say quietly. "He's dying slowly to keep the curse from claiming him completely."
"And how many innocent people has he murdered while containing this supposed curse?" Zohan demands, leaning forward with desperate intensity. "How many villages burned while he 'contains' his transformation?"
The question hits harder than I'd like to admit. I've seen the destruction he's capable of, witnessed the way violence feeds the poison in his system. But I've also seen him fight against that darkness, seen the self-loathing that follows each loss of control.
"Everyone's a critic," Banu observes dryly. "Though you weren't particularly helpful when she needed rescuing."
"I was—" Zohan begins.
"Conveniently absent," Banu finishes helpfully. "Very mysterious timing."
"That's enough," Zohan snarls, his perfect mask finally slipping completely. "I won't be lectured by a fairy who?—"
The temperature in the chamber drops so suddenly that frost begins forming on the windows. Shadows pour through the doorway like living smoke, announcing Kaan's arrival before he materializes from darkness itself. He looks exhausted, the silver veins of poison more pronounced than when he left, but alive.
Zohan immediately rises from his chair, tension radiating from every line of his body. "I should go," he says quickly, moving toward the door with obvious haste. "We'll continue this conversation later, Nesilhan."
"Running along so soon, Goldilocks?" Banu calls sweetly. "How disappointing."
But Zohan was already gone, disappearing through the doorway with the speed of someone who's decided discretion is the better part of valor, his guards following behind.
"Well, that was fun," Banu observes with satisfaction. "Nothing like watching true colors show through the diplomatic mask."
Kaan moves to my side with careful steps, exhaustion evident in every line of his body. "Hatun," he says softly, his voice rougher than when he left. "How are you feeling?"
"Better," I reply, studying his face with growing concern. "But you look terrible. What happened?"
He settles into the chair Zohan vacated, shadows coiling around his feet like faithful pets. "I met with Erlik. We... came to an arrangement."
"Oh, this should be fascinating," Banu says, settling back with anticipation. "I'm sure it was full of heartwarming moments and absolutely no threats whatsoever."
Kaan's expression darkens at her tone, but he continues. "He agreed to remove the poison—but there's a price."
"There's always a price with demons," Banu interjects with false cheer. "Usually souls or firstborn children."
"What kind of price?" I ask, though I'm already dreading the answer.
"He wants to meet you," Kaan says quietly. "In Kara Cehennem. He claims there's a purification ritual that will ensure no remnants of the curse affect our child."
"Purification ritual," Banu repeats slowly. "In the demon realm. Yes, that sounds completely legitimate and not at all like a trap."
"I took a blood oath," Kaan says defensively. "He can't harm either of you during the visit."
Banu sits up straighter despite her injuries, green eyes blazing. "You took a blood oath with ERLIK? Oh, well, that changes everything! Because demons are famous for finding loopholes in magical contracts!"
"The blood magic is binding—" Kaan begins.
"The blood magic binds the letter of the oath, not the spirit," Banu interrupts with exasperation. "He swore not to harm her by his hand, yes? What about his minions? His realm itself?"
Elçin speaks up from her chair, her warrior's instincts clearly engaged. "What were the exact words of this oath?"
