Page 173 of Promise of Darkness
At least I won’t die immediately.
The Mother stills as if incredibly tempted, but then she shakes her head. “A powerful gift, but no, I think not.”
What?
I gape at her. The gift of a soul will grant her immeasurable power, especially if my father was an Old One. Why would she not want it?
Because I won’t give her the freedom she craves? Or because she seeks to push my back against the wall?
“Then name a price I’ll be willing to pay,” I tell her.
The Mother falls still. “The Crown of Shadows.”
I vaguely recall Thiago saying something about several relics that were conduits for the Old Ones’ powers. One was the Sword of Mourning that Blaedwyn wielded against the Erlking; another was the Crown of Shadows, missing all these years…. I swear there was some other mention of it, perhaps in Kyrian’s grimoire, but I cannot bring it to mind.
“It’s lost to the world.”
“No,” she says. “Only lost to mortal memory. It still exists. I can feel it pulsing with power, calling to me. Bring me the Crown of Shadows within the year, and I shall be satisfied. If you do not, then I shall take your firstborn as payment. And do not deny me again. I am done bargaining with you.”
It’s not a good bargain.
The crown could be anywhere, and if it’s lost to mortal memory, then how in Maia’s name am I going to find it? Unless…. She specifically said ‘mortal memory’, but there are those in the world who are immortal. The Morai, for one, though I’ve used my chance with them.
And there’s time to find it, whereas time is running out for Thiago and me.
Three days, and I must return to my mother. Three days and she will finally have the excuse she needs to destroy my husband.
Versus one year to free myself of this meddlesome bargain.
And if I don’t find the crown, well, I started bleeding last night. There is no child for her to take. And maybe there never will be, if Thiago cannot forgive me for this.
“Agreed,” I whisper.
43
Idon’t want to go back to my mother, but I have no choice.
If I stay, then I condemn my people and the people of Evernight to war. Thousands will die, and it’s likely the other three kingdoms will be drawn into the battle too.
There are those among my mother’s court who crave her power and position, but I’ve never seen it as anything other than a burden. To rule is to serve your kingdom. And while the crown may pass to Andraste, its burdens haven’t escaped me.
Adaia might relish a war—perhaps that’s the excuse she’s wanted all along—but I will not give her reason to start it.
We pause at the Hallow as Thiago prepares to say his goodbyes. I’m still bleeding, but our last encounter remains printed on my skin, and even if my mother steals my memories, I’m sure I’ll still feel his touch. Perhaps I’ll look at those bruises and wonder who loved me hard enough to leave such marks on my skin.
“This is it,” I whisper, not wanting to let his hands go.
My mother’s riders wait for me outside the Hallow, grim-faced and tense. I count heads and realize with a sinking heart that neither my mother nor my sister is among them.
They sent the fucking guards.
They couldn’t even be bothered to escort me in person.
“I believe in you, Vi,” he whispers, brushing his fingers against my cheek. “Maia gave me the promise of you. I have to have faith in that. I have to have faith in us.”
Squeezing Thiago’s fingers, I give him the only gift I can. “I love you. I always will. And no matter how many times she steals my memories, she cannot take that away from us. I’ll always come back to you. I’ll always fall for you. ’Til the stars burn into nothingness and the sun no longer rises, you are mine, and I am yours. Remember that: I would do anything for you.”
Even make this terrible bargain.
