Page 9 of Queen of Whispers and Mist

Erebos

The ringingin his ears was drowned out only by the shocked inhale of his Shadow. That, more than anything else, told him this was really happening. That he hadn’t imagined it.

He’d known Luna’s Chosen would be a wild card. The man had been impossible to predict from the jump, but no one could have expected this. The absurdity of it... the sheer impossibility... it was inconceivable.

No one was that stupid.

No one, it would seem, buthim.

The absolute nerve of this mewling patheticmortal. He had to give it to the man—he had a set of bollocks that would rival any god’s. But celestial-sized testicles or not, Ronan was no divine being. He was nothing more than a man. An insect, really.

And he’d just picked the wrong god to fuck with.

“You dare walk into my palace and demand my royal assassin as your trophy?” With each word his voice swelled until the walls fairly shook with the force of it.

“You misunderstand me. I don’t mean forever. I only want to borrow her for the night.”

It took everything in him not to snort. As if that made it any better. If not for all the eyes on them, Erebos would have ended this contemptible charade here and now. Instead, he was forced to grit his next words out through clenched teeth.

“Apersonis not aprize.”

“Aren’t they?”

In their shocked state, the crowd had remained quiet until now, but their stunned silence was quickly fading. Replaced by murmurs that, when combined, rivaled his own furious roar.

“Did you know about this?” Erebos snapped, finally addressing Shadow directly.

Eyes wide, she quickly shook her head. “No, my lord.”

He released a tight breath, thankful to learn her betrayal hadn’t gone that far, at least. But then the bastard spoke again, and any momentary relief he’d felt vanished.

“I don’t see what the problem is. Women are gifted all the time. I’m not even asking for her hand in marriage, but I would like the chance to exchange trade secrets as it were. I mean, the woman had me at her mercy today. I feel that as your Champion, High Lord, it only seems prudent to ask her toteach me her ways.”

Ronan won the crowd over with every new, poorly constructed innuendo that fell from his lips. He made it sound as though he intended to do nothing more salacious than pass the time chatting up a colleague, but only a complete twat would actually believe Ronan intended to do anything other than fuck her.

Defile her.

Ruin her.

It could not stand.

Shadow washisprize. Not just the final piece to a very elaborate puzzle, but the key toeverything. Unlocking his full power. Restoring his legacy. Attaining redemption. Glory.

Revenge.

She. Was. His.

“Absolutely not.”

Ronan quirked a brow. “You’d go back on your word?”

“My word?” he scoffed. “I made you no promises.”

“That’s funny. I clearly recall how only a few hours ago you promised to award me anything of my choosing. Was that a lie?”

Anger boiled in his veins, though he feigned disinterest as he shrugged. “I said anything within my power to give.”

Ronan laughed, a loud booming guffaw meant to entice the crowd. “You act as though I mean to harm her. I told you I want to learn from her so that I may better serve you.” He held out his arms, appealing to those standing on either side of him. “How is that anything other than honorable?”

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