Page 3 of To Dwell in Shadows (Shadows of Aurelia #2)

I t was a warm, clear morning when Sam and Selene prepared to travel to Queen Thema’s castle. After Brunie fed them a colossal breakfast and Eldridge showered them with well wishes, the four of them stood in the front yard.

Sam pulled his long dark hair out from under the straps of his backpack.

It was filled with their necessities, while Selene wore a pack filled with cloudberry muffins Brunie had baked for Queen Thema.

She was dressed in the canvas human breeches she preferred, with boots, and a cotton shirt. Sam wore his usual black leathers.

“Ready?” Selene asked.

“Yes,” Sam replied. Selene wrapped one arm around his waist and pulled out the traveler’s stone.

“Safe journeys!” Eldridge called out from the front of the cottage.

Brunie rested her elbow on Eldridge’s head, waving her hand and shaking her wings.

The height difference between the couple had always amused Sam, even though Eldridge was considered tall for a Goblyn.

He felt a pang knowing it could be many months before he saw them again .

“Queen Thema’s castle grounds,” Selene whispered.

Sam closed his eyes and, after a moment, felt his stomach lurch. His ears buzzed, and pressure pounded in his head. Feelings of panic began to rise, but before his anxiety took too strong a hold, the sensations stopped.

The scent of fresh mint enveloped him, and he could hear water flowing nearby.

“We’re here,” Selene murmured.

Sam sighed with relief. Opening his eyes, he saw they were exactly where Selene had planned—the grounds of Queen Thema’s castle.

The white stone of the castle walls glinted in the morning sun.

Rows of mint growing at their feet swayed in the breeze.

The two guards standing on either side of the front gate gaped at them.

Sam kissed Selene. “Well done, my love.”

He raised a hand in greeting to the guards.

“Good morning,” he said, wondering if they would remember him. When neither guard replied, he added, “We come in peace at Queen Thema’s invitation.”

“Samael?” the guard on the left gasped. He was more unkempt-looking than the other guard.

His black-vested uniform hung crooked on his beefy frame, and several knives at his belt looked in need of polishing.

It was Rig, one of Sam’s least favorite associates from his time as a royal guard.

However, Sam had experienced many changes since the last time he’d seen Rig, so he was inclined to be charitable.

“Hello, Rig,” Sam said coolly, then, put his arm around Selene’s shoulders.

Although Queen Thema had given him a home and a place among her people, Sam had always felt like an outsider among the other guards—especially when they talked about their mates or those they wished to court.

It made him relish the words he was about to say next. “You remember Selene, my fated mate?”

“I… uh… yes,” Rig stammered. “Greetings, my lady.”

“Hello again,” Selene replied.

The other guard cleared his throat. “Greetings, Samael. Please enter, and I will take you to the queen.” Sam remembered the guard’s face but couldn’t quite place his name. Before he could ask, the wooden castle gates thundered open, and Arkaya stood in the center of the archway.

“I had a premonition we would welcome visitors today,” Arkaya said, smiling. Her tail swayed gently under her dress. “I just didn’t expect them to be ones so beloved to our queendom.”

“Arkaya!” Selene cried, rushing to embrace Queen Thema’s steward.

“Ah, it’s wonderful to see you again,” Arkaya said while hugging Selene. “Have you been enjoying country life in Snowmelt?”

“Yes, it’s been fantastic.”

After a moment, Arkaya released Selene and came toward Sam. The ring of keys that dangled from her hip clinked melodically as she patted his arm. “Welcome back, Samael.”

“Thank you.”

“You look well.” Arkaya tucked a lock of gray hair behind her pointed ear. “Come, our queen is in the midst of her singing lessons but will be delighted to see you both.”

Selene shot Sam a perplexed look, which he immediately knew translated to Singing lessons? He chuckled to himself, loving how the intimacy of their bond went far beyond the bedroom. They also found humor in the same things. Selene slipped her hand into his, and they followed Arkaya into the castle.

They found Queen Thema in the ballroom, standing before a Harpy who looked like her patience had been depleted.

The chandeliers were dark, but the room was full of sunshine from the tall windows that lined the walls.

The emptiness of the grand space amplified Queen Thema’s voice as she ran through a series of scales while they watched from the side entrance.

The sound was like the yowling of the castle cats who prowled the Malkina grounds.

However, Arkaya seemed enraptured by the queen’s efforts.

It was only when Thema paused for a sip of water that Arkaya interrupted.

“Glorious. Absolutely glorious!” Arkaya gushed .

Queen Thema turned, saying, “Absolutely hideous is a better description, but I do enjoy the practice—oh! Look who it is! My darling nephew and dearest Selene!”

She rushed across the marble floor to throw her arms around Selene as Arkaya looked on. When they released their embrace, Queen Thema looked over at Sam and winked. She knew he wasn’t one for casual hugging.

“What a wonderful surprise,” Queen Thema said.

Selene pulled off her backpack. “Brunie sent cloudberry muffins for you.”

“Delightful! How thoughtful of her.” The queen pulled out a muffin and then handed the pack to Arkaya. “Can you take these to my quarters? I don’t wish to share.”

“Of course,” Arkaya said.

The queen held the muffin to her nose and inhaled its aroma.

“I had such a wonderful time at Brunie and Eldridge’s cottage.

I was so taken by the songs they entertained me with that I am learning to sing.

” Queen Thema motioned her dismissal to the Harpy tutor.

“Now, what brings you back to my realm, dear ones? I hope you didn’t walk all this way. I could have sent a carriage for you.”

“No need, I brought us over,” Selene said, patting the traveler’s stone at her neck.

“Ah! An efficient way to travel.”

“Queen Thema, we came to ask you something,” Selene said.

The queen turned serious. “Anything you need, it’s yours.”

“It’s nothing like that.”

Queen Thema shook her head. “I owe you a great debt for my treachery. Although you know I wouldn’t have truly allowed Zaybris to make you his blood slave?—”

“We’ve already talked about this,” Selene interrupted.

Sam didn’t know if he could move past Queen Thema’s betrayal as quickly as Selene had, but he understood her inclination to choose peace over bitterness .

Selene gave Thema a soft smile. “We aren’t asking you for a favor.”

“Then what?”

“We’re planning a trip to the Underworld, and we’d like to bring you along.”

Queen Thema remained silent for a moment before saying, “The time has come to see Lilith? Truly?” Her golden eyes grew shiny. “I would like that very much.”

“She’s called Lamia now,” Selene corrected.

Arkaya clasped her hands over her heart. “Aurelia’s seven sisters can be whole again.”

“Yes,” Queen Thema said. “Although I don’t think she will wish to return if she’s as taken with Samael’s father as Selene has said she was.”

The queen’s words made Sam feel warm inside.

Selene had told him in detail how his parents looked at each other, how King Asmodeus called Lamia my treasure , and how their son’s disappearance had not weakened their mating bond.

One of Sam’s fears was that the pain of his kidnapping would drive a wedge between his parents, so the knowledge that they remained deeply in love was a comfort.

The queen clapped her hands together. “Oh my, so much to do! When are we leaving?”

“We were thinking we could stay at the castle for a few days while you make arrangements. How much time do you need?” Selene asked.

“Just a day or two. I can ask Queen Delphine to rule in my stead. Arkaya, will you contact her?”

“Certainly,” Arkaya said.

The queen did an excited twirl on her furred foot. “Let us host a ball in celebration! To welcome you both back and as a farewell jubilee for my journey.”

“Wonderful idea, my queen,” said Arkaya.

“Samael and Selene, you’ll be our guests of honor, and we’ll invite all my subjects. It will be one of the biggest and grandest events I’ve had in years!”

Sam cringed. For him, attending a ball was an experience as torturous as a visit to the Underworld’s Sanctum of Agonizing Rectitude. He didn’t like the noise, the crowds, or the collective disdain for rules and order. He needed to stop Queen Thema’s planning before it went too far.

“No,” he said flatly.

Queen Thema’s eyebrows shot up. “Excuse me?”

“You don’t need to host a ball for us,” he said. “I don’t want that.”

Arkaya gasped. “You’re rejecting the hospitality of our queen?”

“I appreciate the hospitality, but I’ve gone to enough Malkina celebrations. I wish to have a quiet visit before we travel.”

Queen Thema made a sound of disgust.

Sam responded with, “You may throw a ball if you like?—”

“Oh, may I?” Queen Thema shot back with sarcasm.

“But I will not be attending,” he finished.

The Queen crossed her arms and huffed. “Silly me, I thought you enjoyed standing guard at my events.”

“It was my job!” Sam said angrily.

“Hey, let’s all just take a breath,” Selene said, looking between them.

Queen Thema ignored her. “And you didn’t enjoy yourself, demon?”

“Was enjoyment required of me?” Sam asked.

“Of course not, but how could anyone not be entertained by the festivities?”

“Too much unseemly behavior ignites my demonic instincts.”

“The unseemly parts are the most fun!” Queen Thema retorted hotly.

Sam let out a growl of exasperation, causing Selene to hold her palms up in a placating gesture. “Okay guys, that’s enough.”

He was about to make another quip about Queen Thema’s idea of fun, but the worry on Selene’s face stopped him. There had been fear in her voice. When she clung to his arm, he realized what he had done. Unwittingly, he had triggered her fear that he couldn’t control his emotions.

He knew his exchange with Queen Thema was just banter, but Selene didn’t.

Too many times, she had witnessed him lose control, and too often, violence had followed.

All forms of conflict made his mate uneasy, and now she was assuming the role of mediator and peacekeeper—a responsibility she wished to put behind her.

Sam put his arm around Selene, hoping to signal that there was no cause for worry. He had promised her he would master his demonic instincts instead of relying on her to soothe him—and now was the moment to prove it.

Gentling his tone, Sam said to Queen Thema, “Let us compromise. What if I attended the meal at your ball, then retired to my quarters before dessert?”

“You would choose to skip dessert?” The shock in Queen Thema’s voice was clear.

“I would.”

“Humph I suppose,” Queen Thema replied. “What about your attendance, Selene?”

Selene glanced at Sam, and he gave her a reassuring look.

“I’d love to go and see what the night brings. I may want to stay and dance,” she said.

“Fine, fine,” Queen Thema said. “Oh, Samael, it was foolish of me to think that true love could turn you into someone merry, but I accept your terms.”

The way Selene visibly relaxed made Sam feel relieved. He squeezed her closer, hoping to convey his assurance that she didn’t need to worry.

“Arkaya, can you begin the arrangements?” Queen Thema asked.

“Right away,” Arkaya said. She looked up at Sam. “Would you like us to prepare a suite, or do you wish to stay in your former quarters? They are just as you left them.”

“My quarters will be fine.” The thought of being alone with Selene in his old room made his blood pump faster. “If you don’t need us, Selene and I would like to relax after our journey.”

“Yes, yes,” Queen Thema called over her shoulder as she strode toward the ballroom’s exit. “Please, amuse yourselves for I have much to do!”