Page 10 of To Dwell in Shadows (Shadows of Aurelia #2)

K ing Asmodeus and Queen Lamia led Sam into the formal dining room, their arms draped around him as if they couldn’t bear to let him go. Their closeness made Sam feel both comforted and slightly overwhelmed by their protective embrace.

He didn’t remember much about the dining room from his childhood, but he was struck by its elegance.

Black brocade fabric lined the walls, and metal chandeliers resembling large bats hung from the ceiling.

A row of tall windows along one wall looked out onto his mother’s second garden—the night-blooming one, where flowers only opened after dark.

The long obsidian table had been set with five place settings clustered at one end. Asmodeus took the seat at the head. When Sam pulled out a chair for Selene beside him, he was stopped by his mother’s voice.

“Selene can sit over here,” Queen Lamia said, gesturing to the last chair on the opposite side of the table. Her smile was polite, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Sam looked at her, blinking. “I’d prefer my mate sit next to me. ”

“But from there, she’ll have a lovely view of the gardens,” Lamia replied, her tone smooth and controlled.

“It’s fine,” Selene whispered. She circled the table and took the seat Lamia had indicated.

Sam sat down, feeling a bit unsettled but not wanting to create conflict.

With a casual wave of his hand, King Asmodeus lit every candle in the room at once, casting a golden glow across the dark furnishings. A trio of imps fluttered in, hovering midair with expectant expressions.

“Tonight,” the king announced, “you may have anything your heart desires. Picture your favorite food in your mind, and the imps will guide the demons of Gluttony in preparing it for you.”

He gestured to Thema with a smile. “Thema, may I also call you Sister? Please go first.”

“You may,” Queen Thema said, then scrunched her forehead in concentration. “Raw fish and clotted cream.”

One of the imps nodded then looked at Selene. “Can you do human food?” she asked.

“Anything,” the king said.

Selene closed her eyes. “I’ve been craving Southern comfort food, so I’d like hot chicken, macaroni and cheese, fried green tomatoes, and banana pudding.”

When she opened her eyes and the imp nodded, it was Sam’s turn. There were many dishes he liked in Aurelia, but the foods he had missed most from his childhood were simple—charred bread, fried vulture wings, and cinnamon sweet buns.

When the imps had everyone’s orders, they filled each chalice with dark wine and flew away.

Sam toyed with the edge of his napkin. The moment felt too big, and there was so much to say, he didn’t know where to start.

Should he ask his parents what they’ve been doing for the past twenty years? Recount his own story from the moment he was kidnapped? Or catch up on the current news of the realm as though he had never left?

Fortunately, Queen Thema was a skilled conversationalist. “This dining room is absolutely stunning. The chandeliers remind me of the ones you had back home, Lamia. Did you design them?”

“Yes. I wanted something to remind me of my past,” Queen Lamia said, referring to the bat—the sacred animal of the Goblyns from when she ruled in Aurelia.

“In my world, humans associate bats with vampires because of you,” Selene said. “Isn’t that interesting? Did you also have wings like a bat when patrolling Gaia?”

“Those wings were small and weak,” Lamia replied with a dismissive wave of her hand. “They called me the Jersey Devil because of it.”

She stretched out the elegant gray wings folded behind her back, then snapped them shut with a practiced motion. “Incomparable to the wings I gained when I became a demon.”

Asmodeus gazed at her fondly for a moment then turned to Selene. “This must be an exciting time for you. Have you given any thought to what kind of demon you wish to become?”

When she looked confused, the king continued, “What sort of vices are you drawn to? Lust, Greed, Malice, Strife? I estimate the transition will take no more than a season. We should begin planning a celebration for your official transformation.” He clapped once, sharp and commanding. “Imps! Come forward!”

Selene turned ashen. “Oh no, I don’t plan to become a demon.”

“You don’t?” Asmodeus asked.

“No.”

Lamia made an incredulous sound. “For what reason? Do you not wish to properly join our family?”

“It’s not that! I’m thrilled to join your family. It’s just that I want to stay… well, myself,” Selene said.

“A mortal,” Lamia said, the word laced with disdain. “ A human. ” She began tapping her fingers against the table. “Do you even have any magick?”

“Magick? Uh… no,” Selene replied.

King Asmodeus’s eyebrows rose. “Truly? No training in enchantments or spellwork? I would have thought you were at least fluent in necromancy to attract a demon.”

“Nope, I’m just a regular human,” Selene said.

Lamia lifted her chin. “Which is precisely why you should take advantage of this opportunity to transform as I did. To elevate your station.”

“Selene doesn’t need to elevate herself,” Sam said quickly, a knot of dread forming in his stomach. He took a breath, bracing himself. “Mother, you must understand, we’re not planning to make the Underworld our permanent home. We’re only here to visit.”

Queen Lamia recoiled slightly, her eyes wide. “What do you mean?”

“This is only the first of many return visits, I assure you. Selene and I have plans for our life back in Aurelia. But we will visit often.”

“Plans?” Queen Lamia asked. “What about your obligations to your kingdom and people? You’re their prince!”

“I don’t wish to rule,” Sam said, quieter this time, but firm.

King Asmodeus leaned forward. “For what reason?”

“It doesn’t interest me. Since I wasn’t trained for it, I wouldn’t feel properly prepared for such duties.”

“It is your birthright and destiny!” the king said incredulously. “We can start your instruction tomorrow.”

“No. I want to build a life with Selene, and Aurelia is where we are most comfortable. We plan to open a bookshop and live a quiet life.” Sam glanced over at Selene, who was staring into her lap.

He hated how their plans caused his parents pain, but he wanted no misunderstandings about their intentions.

“That’s not going to work for us,” Queen Lamia declared. She touched Asmodeus’s arm. “Do you want to tell him?”

“Later,” the king said tightly .

Queen Lamia pursed her lips and looked up at the ceiling.

Then she leaned back in her chair and crossed her legs.

“I have an idea.” A calculating look fell across her eyes.

“Sam, what if Selene leaves you here in the Underworld, returns to Aurelia with her little stone, and then comes back here to visit when you crave a human bedmate?”

The shocked gasp that escaped Selene’s lips at his mother’s words ignited the tension building in Sam’s chest. “Absolutely not. She is my fated mate, and I will not be parted from her.”

Lamia’s face flushed with anger. “But how can you?—”

“Enough!” Queen Thema cut through the tension like a whip. “Sister, you’re being catastrophic. Samael has a right to live the way he chooses.”

“This is a family matter. We don’t need you butting in with your opinion,” Lamia shot back.

“I am family!” Thema retorted. “Why, this is no different than if you were in Aurelia ruling the Goblyns and Samael lived a great distance away in Vowa lands.”

“He must fulfill his duty. His attachment to Selene is holding him back,” Asmodeus said.

Queen Thema shook her head. “Nonsense. You both should be filled with gratitude that your son’s mate controls a traveler’s stone! How else could he visit this realm except in death?”

“Why are you berating me so? I only want to spend more time with my son!” Lamia replied, her voice shaking with emotion.

Sam watched as Selene’s eyes nervously flicked between Lamia and Thema. The anger burning in him—the disregard for his feelings and the disrespect toward his mate—was making him feel unbalanced. His claws extended beneath his fingernails, and his horns pulsed with rising emotion.

Queen Thema glanced at him, seeming to notice his turmoil. Pinning him with her gaze, she gave a nearly imperceptible shake of her head.

Then she sighed dramatically and laughed to herself.

“Ah, forgive me for raising my voice, dear sister. It’s that Malkina moodiness we are so famous for.

It’s been a difficult journey, so let us speak of more pleasant things.

And enjoy each other’s company instead of arguing!

You can discuss this matter another time, when we aren’t all so frazzled. ”

She looked around the table with a smile, but the steeliness behind her eyes dared anyone to object. “Lamia, I have so much gossip to share. You must hear the story of how Queen Cebna took on a Lycah lover… ”

Gradually, the tension in the room dissipated with Thema’s jovial story. Soon, the imps appeared with their food, further lightening the mood. Sam tried to catch Selene’s eye as they ate, but her gaze remained downcast.

Her discomfort was palpable, making him long to sit closer so he could hold her hand. It pained him to see her like this, especially knowing how much energy it had taken for her to bring them to the Underworld.

Being caught between his parents’ expectations and his desire for a peaceful life with Selene was difficult, but he would not tolerate any disrespect toward his mate. He would reiterate his intentions to his parents tomorrow and reassure them that he would always be present in their lives.