Page 59 of Ringmaster (The Kingdom of Shadow & Bone #1)

Azrael

Our guests—my brothers from each of the uncorrupted Kingdoms—have arrived to witness our coronation and the public consummation of our mating bond.

My footsteps are the only sound as they shuffle across the black marble floors while I wait for Mercy to finish dressing.

I reach for her through the bond, then pull back at the last moment, afraid she might be different from the woman I fell in love with now that she possesses Selestina.

Which name will she want to go by?

Will she still love me?

What if things change between us?

The questions roll through my head, refusing to release their grip on my focus. At long last, the heavy door gives a faint groan as someone peeks their head out.

Evanthe. “Are you ready?” she asks, her bright lavender eyes glimmering.

Her dainty, elf-like features were crafted by the Fates long ago as a companion for Queen Selestina. Equal parts beautiful and deadly, she was created to guard her soul, guiding her in every lifetime, and teach her to wield the magical gifts she possesses. A living repository of history.

I return Evanthe’s smile nervously and nod. Centuries have passed since we last walked this path together, yet she has my undying trust. All these years, she’s helped Beelzebub keep the Kingdom and its souls safe.

Evanthe swings the door open wider, and out steps Mercy. She looks just as I remember, save for the subtle changes: the glow of her skin, the rhythm of her heartbeat, now endless, her beauty amplified. The two tattoos marking her hand and shoulder are stark reminders of the sacrifices made for me.

I can’t take my eyes off Mercy. The black gown Evanthe dressed her in is seductive and elegant.

Thin straps reveal her bare shoulders, and sheer fabric glides over the curve of her breasts dipping low into a provocative V.

My eyes travel lower, catching glimpses of skin exposed along her side, below her breasts in the shape of a triangle.

I circle Mercy, drinking her in. The back of her dress crosses over her exposed skin in intricate Xs.

Unable to restrain myself, I reach out, letting my fingertips trace down her spine to the small of her back, where the material teases and tempts me.

I can’t wait to watch this come off you, I send through the bond, realizing too late that my thoughts slipped free.

Embarrassed, I pull my hand back and continue my slow circle around her until we face each other once more.

The sheer fabric of her gown ripples with each movement, teasing and revealing, flowing over the curves of her hips and legs.

Finally my eyes land on her bare leg. The dress has a slit that travels all the way up her thigh.

Desire coils in me. I want nothing more than to run my hand along that slope and stroke—

“Ehem,” Mercy clears her throat. “Do you like it?” she asks, her voice still hers and unchanged.

The sweet melody is the reassurance I needed to know nothing has changed between us, because true love is impenetrable.

“You look,” I pause, searching for the appropriate words, “remarkably beautiful. The dress is stunning, like it was made for you.”

She blushes. “It was. Evanthe made it. She said you’d like it.”

It’s my turn to feel the burn of embarrassment. How easy to read must I be? I check all my wards, reaching out with my shadows and magic to survey the wards of the entire castle, then the entire kingdom. Relief washes over me as I find every rune, soldier, and shield in place.

“Evanthe was correct, my angel,” I answer, offering her my arm.

As she steps forward, it’s then I notice it’s not just the flowing sheer material that moves with her—shadows fall to the ground like a waterfall before curling into tiny streams that disappear and taper off.

Once again, I lose control. My shadows dart for hers, crashing over them like a hungry wave eager to devour them. The moment our shadows meet, a euphoria of pleasure I’ve never felt before ensnares me. Our hearts beat in synchronization, and I can’t stand the idea of pulling back.

This time it’s Evanthe who clears her throat. “Just a reminder that you need to consummate the bond publicly.”

I pull my shadows back, unaware of the obvious—and apparently very public—display of passion.

“Apologies, Evanthe.” I place my hand on top of Mercy’s as I lean in to whisper, “I guess we have to wait until later.”

She giggles nervously.

“Can I trust the two of you to make it to the throne room, or do I need to escort you myself?” Evanthe asks, raising a stern brow and narrowing her eyes in a disapproving look.

I smirk. “I assure you, lady Evanthe, we can make it to the throne room.”

“That’s right, Evanthe, I’ll make sure they don’t get lost,” Beelzebub says, appearing in the corridor. “Let’s not keep your guests waiting. Follow me,” he adds, motioning for us to do so.

As I escort Mercy through the dimly lit corridors, I reach for her through the bond. I love you.

I love you more, she taunts.”

“Mercy…” I start, then pause. “Should I still call you that?”

“You can, but I think I like Selestina. It feels like a fresh start.”

“I understand. It changes nothing, my love. I will love you in every lifetime. A mortal name is just that—mortal. Tonight we begin a new chapter, Selestina, Queen of the dead.” I pat her hand tenderly.

She beams at me, and I realize this is all I’ve ever wanted for her. Everything I fought for was so she’d be happy, no longer burdened by the life she lived before she belonged to me.

“Always and forever, Azrael. In every lifetime I will always love you too.”

Fuck. She knows just what to say to get to me.

We round the corner, and I no longer have time to dwell on our love or the part of the ceremony I’ll enjoy later—we’re standing face to face with the oversized double doors leading to the throne.

A murmur of voices is audible from the other side as my brothers talk amongst themselves.

The entrance is heavily guarded, as are we.

Looking over my shoulder, I realize we’re flanked by at least fifteen warriors.

It’s clear Beelzebub has no intention of allowing anyone to harm me now that I’ve returned to take control of the Kingdom of Shadow and Bone.

The guard nods at him, pulling open the door, and I feel Mercy—I mean Selestina— take a deep breath.

I squeeze her hand beneath mine, offering reassurance.

It’s almost over, and then we can finally be alone.

I’m eager to return to the mortal realm and get things under the big top in order now that the Ringmaster has been eradicated.

Suddenly, the room goes quiet as the glowing fountains of mage-light erupt, casting shadows everywhere. Mine hold a protective circle around my mate, unwilling to chance one of my brothers making an irrational decision.

Beelzebub’s voice booms loud and clear through the throne room. “May I present the true king of the Kingdom of Shadow and Bone, Lucifer, Lord of the Underworld… Ruler of Hell. And beside him, his fate-bound mate, Selestina… Queen of the Dead, shadow-kissed and fallen.”

Gasps and murmurs fill the throne room. “Silence!”

My command echoes off the walls, and my brothers fall silent immediately. The control is short-lived. Magic fizzles through the air.

The Fates have arrived.

Our guests gasp. Their appearance is unexpected. My body goes numb and cold. I owe them a favor—I hope they haven’t come to collect it.

“Azrael,” they screech.

My shadows strengthen their shield around my mate.

“Your true nature has been revealed. The monster within no longer lurks, he rules.” The Wraith of Present rasps.

“The path forward is clear. King, you shall be once more. Swear your allegiance and claim the throne, Lucifer,” whispers the Wraith of Past.

“Together is the only way. A lamb for the lion. You must restore the balance,” warns the Wraith of Future.

They walk through time, rushing forward until they stand before us at the bottom of a set of stairs draped in a velvet carpet.

Deadly warriors block them from getting any closer, and the protective wards around the throne hold, protecting us for now.

Something tells me this isn’t stopping them, but they don’t care to attack us.

“We mean you no harm,” the Present snickers, holding up a crown. It’s carved from bone, designed to spike at the tip and wrapped in shadow. Four runes glitter at the center. Power thrums, pulsing from it. The shadows reach for mine—calling to me, begging to be reunited once more.

“We’ve kept your crown hidden and safe until we were allowed to return it. Are you ready to rule once more?” the Future snaps.

“Yes,” I reply.

“Give us entry through your shields so that we may crown you,” the Present demands.

I imagine giving them access to me and only me. When a path has been created, I nod. The guards step aside, and the wraiths ascend the steps to crown me.

“Kneel,” they screech in unison, commanding my compliance.

I drop to my knee in front of them, holding my head high.

“Do you swear to protect the Kingdom of Shadow and Bone, extending your protections to any of your uncorrupted brothers in times of need should they ever arise?” the wraiths chant.

“Yes,” I answer.

“Will you embrace your destiny and vow to restore order and balance to the realms?” the wraiths demand my full compliance.

If I agree to follow my destiny, I’ll be forced to do things I might not agree with.

I would end up bound to them, since they’re establishing the conditions of my reign.

It makes me wonder if they too played a part in my original fall from power, or if it was such a well-calculated attack not even the Future could sense what was happening.

I’m taking too long to respond. Against my better judgement, I reply. “Yes.”

“Mmmm.” They gloat with delight, knowing I’m now their pawn.