Page 63 of Lord of Ruin (The Age of Blood #2)

Glancing at Shan, the King offered a chilling smile.

Though they weren’t directly connected, their magics were still close enough to brush.

He knew that she could feel his power, that it would only take a tiny bit of effort for him to taste her fear and awe.

“I have it from here, Shan. I plan to run some tests with her before our experiment in the morning.”

She severed the connection immediately, the bridge disintegrating into nothingness as it all faded away.

With a simple flick of the wrist, the King dismissed both Shan and Samuel. And some terrible, cowardly part of Shan was grateful—the ride over had been tense and stifling, and she appreciated the opportunity to freshen up before the horrors began.

And, as Samuel carefully took her arm, her claw-tipped fingers digging into the silk of his suit, the time to salvage what she could of her fiancé’s faith in her.

Samuel let her into the estate without a word, pulling her through the foyer, their footsteps clipping on the hard marble, echoing up to the ceiling far above their heads.

The grand staircase directly ahead curved upwards towards the next floor before bending back around again, a tiered series of landings looking down at the entryway.

A chandelier fueled by witch light hung above their heads, the eerie red glow refracted through all the crystals, sending slim beams of light dancing around them.

Hallways split off to each side, no doubt to sitting rooms and ballrooms and dining rooms, the estate large enough to host all of Dameral’s elite, if the need called for it.

But Samuel didn’t lead her down those paths, guiding her towards the staircase, following in the footsteps of servants she hadn’t even noticed, carrying the luggage that they must have pulled from the carriage while she was distracted.

She tried to blame it on Mel, on the magic, on the King, but she knew that Samuel’s appearance had thrown her off her game. And if she was going to make it through the rest of the trip unscathed, she needed to focus.

Samuel led her up the staircase and to the third level, whisking her away to more private areas of the estate.

Like the King’s personal chambers, the Aberforth country home was filled with art, pieces of priceless history hung upon the walls, landscapes highlighting the beauty and breadth of Aeravin’s natural scenery, grand tapestries that depicted the rise of the nation and the life of the Eternal King, cold and imposing sculptures of people who could only have been Aberforths.

It wasn’t a home, it was a museum and mausoleum, a tribute to those long gone.

It was a fitting estate for the Aberforths, and not even a year ago Shan would have called it a microcosm of what was wrong with the Eternal King.

But that was before she learned the price of power, and the inevitability of one who dared to be Eternal.

“This is for you, Shan,” he said, leading her into what was clearly the chambers for the Lady of the estate, but there was no affection in his voice. Just a weariness that even he could not hide as he dismissed the servants.

Shan detached herself from him, drifting through the room.

It was larger than even she had expected, done in soft colors—light pinks and peaches and creams. There was a balcony off to the side, and she was sure it had the most charming view of their lands, but the bulk of the room was taken up by a large canopy bed that could easily sleep five.

But it was meant for her and her alone, judging by the interior door just off to the side, a style that was centuries old, when partners had slept in separate chambers.

It hadn’t been the standard practice in generations, but this home was older than modern traditions, and as they were not yet married, it would do nicely. Intimate, should they decide on it, but still appropriate for a woman of her standing.

Shan hated it—Samuel should be at her side, but there was every opportunity for him to slip away, locking the door behind him. A physical barrier just as strong as this growing void between them.

He stood so close; it would take nothing to reach out and touch him. But he held himself apart, arms crossed over his chest, his expression grave and forbidding. Colder than she had ever seen him, and she knew, deep in her heart, that she was the reason for all the changes.

“So,” she said, finally breaking the silence. “You’re here.”

“I am,” Samuel said, not relaxing an inch. “And you didn’t come alone.”

Shan pressed her hand against her head, trying to stop the throbbing headache that was threatening to break loose. “I’m too tired for games, Samuel, please just tell me what he told you.”

Her plea worked, the harsh edges fading from him with a sigh. But he still didn’t approach her. “Not much, truthfully. Just that you were doing work that was important to the stability of Aeravin , whatever that means. I just didn’t expect to see…”

He trailed off, and Shan swallowed past the dryness in her throat. “It was determined best to keep her sedated, for the safety of herself and others.”

Samuel just arched an eyebrow, so imperious. So regal. “And that poor girl was a threat to the Royal Blood Worker? She could barely lift her head!”

“You haven’t seen what she is capable of,” Shan replied, the memory of the monster’s viciousness burned into the back of her mind. “What we’ve made her. I hoped you’d never have to see it.”

“You won’t get your wish.” Samuel tilted his chin up, stubborn as always. “The King already requested that I be there tomorrow, in my official capacity as Councillor of Law.”

Shan sank onto the edge of the bed, the plush sheets soft under her fingers as she struggled to ground herself. So, this was the King’s aim, then. Shock Samuel into compliance or break him completely. Force him to stare directly into the darkness and see what remained.

And she had laid the groundwork, hadn’t she?

It had been a slow and careful transformation, taking the kind man she had found and carving away all his soft and gentle bits until all that remained was Lord Aberforth.

She had wrapped him around her finger, bound him to her in every possible way, dismissing all of his very valid concerns with sweet words and physical distractions.

All this time she had thought it was the Eternal King who was the monster, but she was just as capable of cruelty and viciousness as he was. She could no longer hide behind the lies she wove around herself.

She just hoped that when Samuel saw the truth, he wouldn’t flinch away from her. Her brother had already left her, she had already ended things with Isaac. If she lost Samuel as well—

She didn’t know what she would become.

But cruel as she was, cunning as she was, she still couldn’t put that weight on him. Not so boldly. Instead, she tapped the bed beside her. “Can you hold me, just for a moment?”

Samuel didn’t move, just looked down at her with suspicion. “There are things that I need to do.”

The fracture in her heart grew wider, and Shan knew she was on the verge of total collapse. But when she spoke, her voice was clear. Empty. “I understand. I will see you later, then.”

Samuel inclined his head, then strode from the room, leaving her alone with her thoughts.

She dug the tips of her claws into her flesh, using the sharp bite of pain to drive away the tears before they fell.