Page 40 of Crown of Light and Ashes
The dismissal of their concerns is less about trust and more about control; no one questions my decisions, regardless of their merit. But even as I speak the words, something nags at me. The blood bond that should have given me insight into herthoughts remains frustratingly opaque, as if she possesses some natural barrier I've never encountered before.
The threat in my words is unmistakable.
"Of course, my lord," Ates says after a moment. "We merely wished to offer counsel, as is our duty."
"Your duty," I correct, turning back to face them, "is to execute my will, not question it. Now, is there anything else of actual importance to discuss? Or shall we continue wasting my time with matters I've already settled?"
No one speaks. I take that as my cue to leave, striding from the chamber with my shadows roiling around me in response to my irritation. The nerve of them, to question my handling of Nesilhan. As if I need advice on how to control one Light Court woman.
I find myself heading toward the central courtyard before I've made a conscious decision to seek her out. Servants and guards scramble out of my path, pressing themselves against walls as I pass. Their fear usually amuses me. Today, it barely registers.
I pause at the courtyard entrance, observing Nesilhan as she circles the shadow fountain—a massive construction of black marble where perpetual twilight is captured in flowing water. She reaches out, her fingers hovering just above the liquid darkness as if testing its temperature.
"I wouldn't touch that if I were you," I call, stepping into the sunlight. "Unless you want your fingers permanently stained with shadow essence."
She startles slightly but recovers quickly, lowering her hand without looking at me. "And here I thought you'd prefer me marked by shadow."
I approach slowly, savoring the way she tenses with each step I take. "Oh, I do,hatun. But I prefer to be the one doing the marking."
Now she does look at me, golden eyes flashing with that deliciousdefiance. "Was there something you wanted, Kaan? Or is intimidating me your latest hobby?"
I smile, deliberately showing too many teeth. "Can't a husband simply enjoy his wife's company?"
"Is that what we're doing? Enjoying each other's company?" She gestures around the empty courtyard. "Strange, I don't see any torture devices or restraints. Are you feeling unwell?"
Despite myself, I laugh. This sharp tongue of hers is becoming one of my favorite things about her, the way she refuses to cower, even knowing what I am capable of. It is refreshing after centuries of sycophants.
"Maybe I simply missed you," I suggest, moving closer.
She takes a step back, maintaining the distance between us. "You saw me this morning. When you threatened to feed my heart to the shadow hounds if I spoke during breakfast."
"Yes, well, that was hours ago. I've grown as a person since then." I lean against the fountain's edge. "I saw you in the garden earlier. With Taner, Volkan, and Reza."
Something flickers in her eyes, wariness, perhaps. "Your shadowlords were explaining the properties of night-blooming flora."
"Is that what made you laugh? Botanical facts?" I keep my tone casual, but my shadows betray me, darkening around my feet.
She studies me for a moment, head tilted slightly. "Actually, they were sharing stories about you."
That catches me off guard. "About me?"
"Apparently, the great and terrible Shadow Lord once slipped on ice of his own creation and landed flat on his ass in front of the entire Altin delegation." A smile tugs at the corner of her mouth. "Volkan's impression of your face was quite detailed."
I am going to kill all three of them. Slowly. Creatively.
"I didn't slip," I say, drawing myself up indignantly. "I wasdemonstrating a new fighting technique that involved rapid ground engagement."
She arches an eyebrow. "Is that what we're calling it? Because, according to Volkan, you cursed so colorfully that the Altin ambassador's translator refused to translate it directly."
"Volkan exaggerates," I mutter. "And Taner couldn't accurately imitate a shadow puppet, let alone me."
"I don't know," she says, and to my astonishment, there is a hint of genuine amusement in her voice. "His impression included that thing you do with your eyebrow when you're annoyed. Like right now."
I immediately school my expression, then feel stupid for doing so. "I'm not annoyed. I'm contemplating how to most effectively punish insubordination."
"By sending them to the northern border?" She shakes her head. "Subtle. I saw them receive your orders and leave the garden just before you arrived here."
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
