Page 48 of Bartered by the Shadow Prince (Bargain with the Shadow Prince #3)
What We Came For
DAMIEN
“ T he warrior lovers,” Thanesia booms.
The volume of her voice is enough to hurt my ears, but it’s the way my bones rattle that scares me.
If she sang the right note, I’m sure she could shatter them like glass.
That voice is a reminder that I am an insect in her world, easily smashed under her sandal.
Her presence is far bigger and more powerful than I ever expected.
The dogs at her feet rise to attention, rustling her armor as they pace, growing more agitated by the minute.
It’s all I can do not to draw my sword. I understand I have no chance of besting a goddess, even if I wanted to, but my every instinct is to protect Eloise.
The leather armor she wears may look like a short dress, but it is designed for battle.
Her long black hair is braided as if she’s ready for a fight.
Thanesia is no goddess of mercy. She’s a warrior goddess, and the last thing I want is for her to see me as her opponent.
But my little dragon rises and steps in front of me, as if she’s been preparing for this for weeks, and maybe she has. She’s wanted to come here for far longer than I considered it possible.
Eloise bows low. “Goddess Thanesia, I humbly come before you to offer you my most sincere apologies for entering Tenebris through your domain. I am new to my spirit magic and did not understand that the underworld of my home planet did not connect directly with Tenebris. I ask that you please forgive this transgression and allow my ancestors through your door so that I may again access my magic and use it to honor you.”
The goddess shifts on her throne, her lips coming off her teeth. “You wish to use your power to honor me?” She laughs a dark and angry laugh. “How exactly do you dream that will happen, girl?”
I step forward, ready to back her up, but Eloise motions for me to stay where I am.
“If you restore my power, I will help avenge King Malek’s death and help my mate Damien reclaim the throne of Stygarde as king.
When he is king, he will ensure that you are worshipped in the proper way, the way of his ancestors, the way that I ensured you were worshipped when I helped host the Harvest Festival in Wickham Wood.
Your shades want to sing your name. They want to dance in your honor and spill blood in your honor, but the current king and queen?—”
The ground shakes, and Eloise almost loses her balance. “Do not lecture me on how the ones who sit on the throne of Stygarde displease me. I am not ignorant of their insolence.” She leans down and sniffs Eloise in a way that makes my heart thunder in my chest.
“You smell of dragon.” The way the goddess’s lips curl, I do not think it a compliment.
“I was born with dragon blood in my veins. It is what gives me the ability to channel my ancestors’ power, when I can access it in the underworld.”
The goddess’s eyes narrow, their dormant lightning threatening to spear Eloise with their scrutiny. “You haven’t been able to wield that power since you became vampire, though, have you?”
Eloise stutters.
“You promise to return this prince to his throne, but you, as his mate and his queen, can give him no heirs. Is that not a risk to this kingdom you promise to save?”
Eloise opens her mouth, but no words come out.
“Don’t bother answering me, girl. I can see every shadow in your dead heart. Even if I gave you access to your ancestors, you could not fully wield this power to…honor me.”
I can’t see Eloise’s face as she bows her head, but I can smell the salt of her tears.
I rise to my feet. “Please, goddess, her state as a vampire is only because she gave up her life to save mine. She is a true warrior who fought bravely and was turned in battle, all so that she could free me to return to Tenebris.”
Thanesia leans back in her chair, and the sound of it groaning under her weight is like rolling thunder, or perhaps that rumbling is the growl of the dogs that seem overly interested in both of us now.
“Ah, the warrior speaks. Tell me, Damien, son of Malek, son of Nyxadora, prince of Stygarde, and master of the umbrae guard, you have walked my road with this stranger you’ve brought before me. What do you ask of me?”
“A chance to rule Stygarde as your worthy subject, as my father was your worthy subject. A chance to lead the shade people in the way you required when you created us. A chance to end the tyrannical rule of those who, even now, wish to wipe you from the memories of our world.”
She leans forward in her chair, her sheer size and nearness causing my knees to tremble.
“You ask me to help you become king, yet you have mated this vampire and will have no heirs? Am I to be satisfied to assist a royal bloodline that will last only one lifetime?”
I consider telling her that I have a sister, that she was who my father named to the throne, that she could provide the children after I’m gone.
I swallow and dare a glance toward Eloise.
I have to get this right, both to ensure our survival today and to deliver on the promises I made to her and to my father.
“There are other ways, goddess.”
“ Don’t tell me of ways, boy.” The goddess gets to her feet, rousing the dogs, who pace around her chuffing and growling.
“Enough! I am the goddess of night. I am the beginning of all darkness. I knitted your world from the fabric of nothingness. I created you in the womb of the universe. Woe to those who forget my name. You have walked my road, and I have heard your pleas. You will accept the gifts I deem you worthy of. Now go, do as you have promised. I shall suffer your presence no more.”
“But we—” Eloise begins.
She’s cut off by a blast of energy. It’s as if the goddess has become a supernova of light, stars showering from her throne, her dogs barking wildly. She reaches for her bow and notches an arrow.
“Run!” I yell to Eloise, shoving her ahead of me and blocking the energy coming from the goddess with my body.
We’re halfway to the yawning maw of the chasm that swallowed Stygarde Castle when Thanesia’s arrow flies. I feel no pain. I am overcome by light. I hear only the first second of Eloise’s scream and then nothing. Silence. Radiance. Then nothing.