Page 77 of Ashborne Phoenix

She smiled and leaned harder into my kiss.

‘Whatever you say, I’ll do,’ she murmured in my head. ‘I trust you… my husband.’

I shuddered as the flames of power and strength in my blood surged and swelled until it seemed my skin might split trying to contain it. A jolt of alarm zipped through the bond from Grace, but I didn’t let her back away and kissed her deeper instead.

Then we turned back to the others.

It was a strange, surreal time.

The court filed out first, those who would be involved in the rites rushing ahead to take their positions, while the others were left torn between following to position themselves for the best witness, or hanging back to potentially hear what passed between us, my mother, and the royals.

Mother, forced to act as if she were a part of my scheme, as if I’d pleased her and fulfilled the Dominus’s desire for the Cruors’ future, offered sweeping smiles and urged them all down to the ritual cavern under the castle. While the royals, particularly the king, a man of power in the land, were forced to wait attendance on his Dominus and her Heir.

Except for the occasional smug smile, I ignored them all, leaving my attention on Grace. But kept my ears perked to anything my mother uttered.

The king and queen hovered, whispering to her as we walked the numerous corridors and stairs between the tower above, down to the dark underground below.

My heart thudded in my chest, but for once, a well of hope sprang to douse my fear.

We were vowed. Married in the eyes of those who were ignorant of the powers wielded around them. Though we were so much more. Bonded by our dragons to unite our souls.

Vowed by words and will to unite our power.

Loving, to unite our purpose.

Grace gazed up at me with adoration, and it wasn’t difficult to return the regard. ‘Where are we going?’ she asked when we were on the move.

‘Down to the ritual chamber. It will be ugly—but I’m ready. I’ve got you. I promise.’

‘Which ritual will they try to perform?’

‘It doesn’t matter, because once we begin, it’s in my hands. And no matter what power they try to bring, they can’t touch us now, Grace. We’ve given our power to each other. No one else can touch that. You understand?’

I let her see my memories of the vows. Explained the difference between what I’d done and what Breckon had intended for her, and her heart lit up.

‘I love you, so much.’

Her words, offered while all this darkness surrounded us, set my heart singing. As I took the first step down the vast staircase that wound in a wide spiral to the ritual chamber, I squeezed her hand and pulled her close to me, to kiss her hair while the others weren’t watching.

Below, eerie chants drifted up to meet us, words in the language of the Cruors’ power that raised my hackles and made my skin prickle. Yet, it didn’t touch me. Because she was there, and I felt nothing but her love—and mine—burning, showering both of us, and filling the bond.

‘Love is your power in this world, Voski,’ Kham nudged me.

I didn’t know what to say.

Love was healing. Love strengthened. I never wanted to walk through another day without it. But underneath that beauty, I felt sick. I’d sworn I’d never enter another ritual. Vowed I’d never use the dark power again, yet I’d almost killed a man with it tonight.

I didn’t want to do this… but there was no other way.

Love was powerful, my dragon said. I shook my head. ‘Love heals and supports. But against dark magik? Love is an emotion that can be scoured out of heart and mind by fear. Trust me.’

‘Voski…’ Kham rumbled in my head. ‘Why do you think the Creator urges us not to fear? We offer ourselves to the dark power whenever we believe it. You cannot fight that which you flee. You cannot watch the light consume it when your back is turned, or eyes covered…’

I didn’t want to argue with my dragon, so I didn’t offer words. Just let him feel my unease, and my nerves, and my love for Grace—and he reflected that, showing me Koa, both of them flying high, but staying near.

Here. For us. Bringing help. Working to give us another option. Because they loved us.

I let him feel the spear of my gratitude as we finally descended into that hall of death, and the chamber—alight with torches ringing the walls, and candles held by the witnesses—opened before us.