Page 57 of Bartered by the Shadow Prince (Bargain with the Shadow Prince #3)
DAMIEN
I stand before the rows upon rows of narrow tables, looking out across a sea of mountain dwellers, my cup raised, my spirits high.
None of the faces are particularly interested in what I have to say.
They go about buttering their bread and portioning out their meat from oversized silver platters, their efforts filling the cavernous space with the clinking of knives and forks against plates.
Some of the people converse as if I am not attempting to command their attention.
Some shift in their chairs, trying their best to convey they haven’t noticed me.
Some dart the occasional glance in my direction, heads down and focused on their food. Some are openly scornful.
No one smiles.
No one directs their attention my way.
“Sit down, Damien. I know my men. You will not change their minds.” Seamus seems embarrassed for me.
He doesn’t know.
No one knows, other than me and my mate, my queen.
No one knows how we once died, how we walked the shadowpath and faced a goddess, side by side.
How we learned that it is only together that we can succeed.
It was my mistake before, to speak for her.
I won’t make the same mistake again. My little dragon has a secret, and it’s time to share it.
Eloise’s hand lifts to mine until our pinkies briefly hook. I smile at her keen, supportive face, and she nods. If this doesn’t work, nothing will.
I raise my cup higher and, in my strongest and surest voice, say, “I am Damien Hymir, rightful heir to the throne of Stygarde. I am raising an army to overthrow the man who murdered my father and stole your kingdom from you and the dark elf who would bathe in your children’s blood if given the chance. Will you fight with me?”
Nothing. Glasses are raised and ale is sipped. A few laughs break through the silence.
At my nod, Eloise stands. Seamus’s brow furrows. This is highly unusual. Women are not often ceded control of the floor in the Great Hall.
Eloise raises her cup. Her voice is loud and strong when she speaks. “I am Eloise Harcourt, mate of Damien Hymir and your future queen. I am the key, blessed by the goddess Thanesia, and the bearer of dragon’s blood.”
The hall goes silent; men and women stare at her in varying degrees of offense, as if she’s spoken pure blasphemy. Their eyes are narrowed, their teeth bared.
“I have the power to end the tyranny of Willowgulch!” The ground shakes as heavy footsteps draw closer.
Platters and goblets rattle on the tables.
Tiny stones tumble from the walls. Every eye turns toward the cavern that leads from the Great Hall as an enormous silver dragon with radiant white eyes enters.
Mountain dwellers leap to their feet. Women scream. Dishes are knocked to the floor. A chatter of curses fills the space. Fathers gather their children behind them. Every eye is on the dragon, and as it walks behind Eloise, like a dog to heel, every widened eye focuses on her.
Phantom rears, spreading its wings behind Eloise. Fire builds in the monster’s gullet, glowing red in the silver throat. People cry out, shuffle toward the exit in fear, stare openmouthed in disbelief.
“I am Eloise Harcourt,” she booms. “I will take back the kingdom of Stygarde with my mate and king. You can either join us and fight for what’s right, fight for your children, fight for the kingdom you once knew and loved, or I will assume you fight for New Stygarde and its shameful ruler. Fight for us, or face our wrath.”
Phantom breathes deep, its chest expanding and turning red with gathering fire, and then the dragon roars .
Dragon fire shoots above Eloise’s head, blowing her hair forward on her shoulders, the heat scorching the side of my face.
It’s terrifying. It takes everything I have to stand my ground. But we do, and we wait.
Several men gather in the middle of the room.
I recognize the master of the guard, along with some older, notable members of the community.
Twelve men in all. The mountain elders. Men who knew me when I was prince of Stygarde.
Men who knew my father. I can’t hear what they are saying, but the discussion is animated.
One by one, they each come around to nodding and then return to their families.
Beside me, Seamus’s brow is furrowed. He’s staring at the dragon behind Eloise as if trying to weigh if we’re his salvation or his doom.
Again, I raise my cup. “ Who will join me ?” I ask.
I watch the mountain dwellers exchange looks with one another and then with Seamus and Amala. One by one, every hand goes up.
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