Page 10 of Queen of Whispers and Mist

Erebos’s jaw was clenched so tight he could hear his teeth as they ground together. “Be that as it may, I cannot gift you another person. Shadow is not a slave.” He didn’t even realize he’d stepped into a trap until Ronan’s smile turned lazy and a new light entered his icy gaze.

“Then perhaps we should leave the choice up to the lady.”

He should have sensed the trick from miles away, but he’d been so distracted by the sheer audacity of the request he hadn’t maintained his usual cool head. The fact that a creature as insignificant as an ant had outmaneuvered him cut deep. It was a slight that would not go unpunished.

The crowd snickered, more than one person growing brazen enough to shout out suggestions of their own.

“Do it! Say yes, Lady Shadow!”

“Don’t waste your time on that frigid bitch!”

“Take me for a ride instead!”

“We love you, Butcher!”

“Very well,” Erebos snapped, desperate to regain control. “Lady Shadow, what say you?” After their lesson in the dungeon, he had no doubt his little moonbeam would know what part she was to play in this.

“Yes.”

His head snapped to the side so fast he nearly gave himself whiplash. “Pardon me?”

She cleared her throat and lifted her chin, raising her voice as she repeated, “I accept your Champion’s terms. Tonight, I am his.”

Tendrils of black smoke crept into his vision, and Erebos knew he needed to get out of this room before he snapped and accidentally killed everyone within it. He’d never had such a flimsy grasp on his control. If he didn’t get himself together, he was liable to raze the entire fucking city to the ground.

That wouldn’t do.

That wouldn’t do at all.

From the shit-eating grin on the Butcher’s face, it was obvious he thought he’d won, but all the arse had managed to do was force his hand. Clearly, he had no clue just how formidable Erebos could be when backed into a corner.

But he was about to learn.

There were still plenty of moves to be made. One in particular seemed quite promising. He’d held off on it until now because of the potential side effects, but if ever there was a time, surely it was this one.

Yes... that will do nicely. Thank you, Butcher, for providing me with this golden opportunity. Because of you, I can now make this unmitigated disaster work out to my benefit.

Careful to keep his expression neutral to avoid telegraphing his intentions, Erebos turned to his general, keeping his voice low so as not to be overheard. “No one leaves. The night’s festivities will go on as planned.”

“It will be as you say, High Lord.”

To Dovina, who’d stealthily made her way over to them during the ruckus, he said, “Keep your eyes on him. He doesn’t so much as scratch his arse without my knowing. Wherever he goes, whoever he talks to, I want to know about it.”

“Yes, my liege.”

“Whatever you have to do, word of this does not leave the palace until morning when we issue an official statement,” he added, looking to Dmitri.

“Of course, my lord. Anything else you’d like me to take care of?”

“I think it is a prudent time to open a few more casks of wine. Details tend to grow fuzzy after a night of overindulgence.”

“Quite right,” Dmitri agreed.

Satisfied that this part of the plan was sorted, he returned his full attention to the assassin who’d gotten them into this mess. “You,” he snarled dangerously, grabbing her none-too-gently by the elbow. There was a flash of pain in her jewel-bright eyes as he dug his fingers into her tender skin, but she knew better than to express it. She was, after all, still his devoted shadow.

“Come with me.”

CHAPTER4

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