Page 63 of Shadows Ascend (Remnant Archives #2)

I breathed a silent sigh of relief when Remnant gasped loudly, lurching in my arms as a tiny shadow purged smokily from her mouth—its small form floating delicately above us, waiting patiently for her to open those beautiful eyes again.

My soulmate had done the impossible.

She faced death and lived .

I glanced upwards towards the thousands of steps she had left to travel upon, my lips thinning in a grim line.

I had no doubt she could accomplish this over and over again but I had serious doubts if I could.

Seeing how each one of these souls were ones seeking vengeance there was very little expectation that any of their deaths would be a peaceful one.

Watching the shocked expression of my soulmate, I listened for her heart to slowly regain its natural rhythm. "Remnant?"

Her eyes snapped open, glancing briefly up at me before our daughter barreled into her, face burrowing into her mother's chest, no doubt seeking the steady beat of Remnant's heart that had stopped for the most paralyzing seconds of my entire existence—I never wanted to hear that sound again, or rather the absence of that sound.

As always, silence could go fuck itself. Agreeing, the stormy skies of Wrath’s territory lit up with blinding lightning and the ocean waters beneath us lapped softly, applauding the sky’s violent display.

"Is that Talgira?" Riella asked, turning in her mother’s arms to assess the little shadow still floating among us.

Extending her tiny hand outward, she laughed when the little flame of darkness danced a jig up her arm.

"I—I think so," Remnant answered hoarsely, touching her throat with surprise.

I tucked my face into the crook of her neck and then growled low through our mind connection so as not to alarm Riella.

" I thought—" I squeezed my eyes hard. "I thought I'd never have to hear you scream that way ever again.

I can see that physically you are well, tell me you are unharmed," opening my eyes, I touched the center of her chest, "in here. "

Pulling my head up, her hands brushed against the scruff of my beard. My soul wraith form hadn't done a single thing to the effect she had on me with her soft touch, if anything it made me feel more.

My emotions were volatile.

Fleetingly, I felt a flicker of something that wanted to just consume her with my need, swallow her whole in the darkness I now wielded.

My stomach roiled with disgust, I did not have the heart to tell her this, she already suspected, already guessed that there was a cost. I prayed to the fucking goddess I didn’t forget myself before I ensured she conquered The Well because there was something far more sinister hidden beneath my surface and for the briefest moments on that damn ship—I had forgotten who I was, what I was.

I had hurt her with this hungry anger…

"I am unharmed, Emon, nothing permanent although my heart and soul aches. I have learned much already."

I dropped my forehead to hers and breathed even though I had no need of air in this form, listening to the giggles of our daughter while picking up her hand to trace her palm with my fingertips.

"A better mate would tell you to stop this madness, to turn around, go back, and to find another way.

A better mate would take your place." My voice cracked.

"But then again that kind of mate would not be the one your soul needs, that mate would not be the one destined for only you.

So while I cannot be this better mate, I sure as fuck can make sure I am the mate that puts you back together every fucking time you fall apart. "

I watched her eyes glitter with unshed tears while she gave me a wry smile. "I cannot help but wonder if there are other things you can do in this wraith form, besides playing at rescuing the pieces of me."

I smirked at her deflection, finding sweet innocence in her discomfort.

Quickly, I spun us both to our feet, kissing the top of her head, I played along, "If you're asking if I am still rock hard for you as I always am and thinking of all the ways I could fuck you around a sacred well full of souls, ask no further. The answer is yes."

She snickered to cover the blush stealing across her face and I prayed that I would never lose the ability to spread that rosy hue across her cheeks.

Chuckling, I gave her one last playful kiss before placing my hands on her hips and lifting her up upon the next step with ease, my own heart, if I still had one, breaking for her. "Up you go, little umbra, time for you to die again."

Riella tucked her small body into my leg, holding tightly while lifting the small shadow up on the step as well. "Yes, good luck dying again, maedere."

I grinned down at her, ruffling her hair, and ignoring the shimmering script that appeared beneath Remnant's feet. "I do believe I am rubbing off on you too much, my cub."

"Emon…"

Glancing up at Remnant’s wide emerald eyes, I frowned, scanning her from head to toe, my eyes catching the name on the next step, and I felt my heart drop in my stomach.

Remnant reached out to me but it was too late, the next soul flashed brightly from The Well and I stared at the figure standing next to my soulmate.

"Mother," I whispered, feeling as if I would crash to my knees.

Standing tall and elegantly draped in the white golden glow of The Well, she smiled softly. Caramel eyes, the exact color of her hair, sparkled down at me, lightning electrifying them to a bright glow as Wrath's winds blew her hair gently over her beautiful bronze face.

"Daemon, my sweet cub." Her eyes scanned my person and her lips pursed with disapproval of my soul wraith form. "It seems neither of us expected to see each other in such a way."

I snorted. "More or less."

She grinned then. A full smile reached her eyes and suddenly I was that cub again, basking in his mother’s warmth who felt pride and confidence in the fae she saw in front of her.

Like my father could read the truth, my mother’s gift was instilling our truths we could not accept ourselves, deep into our very hearts.

"Good thing your father is not here to see this," she added, reading my thoughts, although I did not miss the wistful longing in her tone. Her strong regard then fell down to my daughter who watched silently with wide eyes.

"Hello my little nepta . We meet again."

Hearing my mother call my cub granddaughter in ancient fae was almost too much for me to bear.

" Emon? " Remnant's voice whispered with concern in my mind.

"I am fine, little umbra." I gave her a small smile but I knew it did nothing to ease her worries.

Riella beamed, tugging on my leg excitedly. "You are the pretty fae that came to me and told me to go find my mother in The Under!" She looked at Remnant. "That is how I found you by the dead seas. She told me where to go."

Glancing at Remnant, I crouched low to Riella and tucked back the strands of her hair behind her ear that escaped her braid.

"Riella, this is my mother, she died a very long time ago."

Riella frowned. "But I am telling the truth. She was there."

I looked up at my mother, who watched us with glowing love shining from her eyes, nodding. "In a dream, yes. We all have been watching over our sweet miracle."

My daughter grinned but then shifted uncomfortably. "You're not going to make my maedere hurt like Talgira did, are you?"

My mother’s face saddened as she lowered herself to us.

"I do not wish your mother any harm, my sweet nepta .

" She reached out and trailed a slender hand along my daughter’s face.

"In fact, I am here to help her." Riella nodded and my mother smiled, standing to turn and regard my silent soulmate for the first time.

Remnant spoke first, stepping forward, her face clouded with concern. "Queen Skyler, you do understand what you will become, what you will leave behind should Asher leave our world. He will be alone without you here waiting for him."

Skyler tilted her head, "I have often pondered what kind of fae my son would find himself tied heart and soul to. I never doubted he would find his soulmate in his lifetime and when I realized it was you…" she sighed, "I admit, I was not happy."

My eyes narrowed and I growled in warning, "Mother…"

Simultaneously, both fae turned to scowl at me.

"Hush, shifter."

"Hush, my cub."

My eyes darted between them both. Crossing my arms in front of me, I glared back. "Fine by all means, start off on the wrong foot. What do I know anyway?"

My mother snorted and Remnant rolled her eyes.

"As I was saying, I was not happy…my son deserved a love not tainted from my death.

" She frowned, shaking her head. "But you were exactly what he needed. Your beautiful darkness has complimented my son’s blessed golden light so perfectly that there is no doubt the goddess has created you for one another and I want to be a part of that.

Asher has come to peace with my death and he will understand my decision to join you as your lilin. "

Remnant exhaled. "Thank you, Queen Skyler."

Her eyes twinkled looking over at me, lingering on the ink swirling around my arms. "Yes. It seems I have regained that title again, have I not? Since my son has forsaken his sworn vows to the throne."

I could feel Remnant's guilt snaking along our soulmate bond and I shook my head at her.

"Don't," I growled. "If given the choice, I would choose this over and over again, little umbra.

My place is with you, you are the only kingdom I wish to be bound to—there is no room for any other vow in my life but my commitment to you and you alone. "

My soulmate gave me a small smile. "I know shifter, but you are a good king. Your court loves you."

Unable to resist, I reached up to her, our height level from the step she stood upon. "I love you. If there is one thing our kingdom knows, it is if a Strider falls in love there is nothing that will stop them to prove that everyday. My court will understand and rejoice."

My mother hummed. "That is very true." Clapping her hands she beamed at both of us. "Well then…I suppose we shall go die now."

I barked out a laugh and then in a flash, my mother's spirit crashed into Remnant’s chest and I lunged to the step, catching my soulmate before she dropped into the sea.