“And what conclusion did you come to?” I asked, finally breaking the quiet. My tone was casual, but my mind was racing. Altair had no heirs, no generals he trusted. His territory had been ripe for the taking for years, and yet, he had managed to hold it all together through sheer will and ruthless cunning.
Altair’s gaze sharpened, his eyes locking onto mine with a sudden intensity that belied his frail appearance. “I’ve decided,” he said slowly, “that when I die, you shall inherit my territory.”
I blinked, not in surprise—Altair was known for his theatrics—but from the sheer audacity of it. My family had coveted Altair’s territory for generations, but we’d never thought he would simply give it up.
“Why?” The single word came out harsher than I intended, and I didn’t bother softening my tone. I needed to know his angle.
Altair’s smile widened, revealing teeth stained red from the wine. “You understand what it takes to rule. Darkness, ruthlessness—these are not sins to you; they are tools.” He leaned forward and set his glass down with a soft clink. “Your illusions... They are exactly what the Crimson Dominion needs to remain strong. Your ability to inspire fear will ensure that my legacy doesn’t crumble to dust after I’m gone.”
It was a twisted sort of compliment that would have made most men’s blood run cold, but all I felt was a hint of curiosity. I arched an eyebrow. “You trust me to uphold your legacy? To protect what you’ve built?”
“I trust your instincts for survival,” Altair countered. “And I trust your ambition. You will do whatever it takes to protect your own empire, and in doing so, you’ll protect mine.”
I couldn’t deny the truth in that, but I also knew Altair wouldn’t give something for nothing. I could see it in the way his eyes gleamed. Another shoe was about to drop.
“What’s the condition?”
Altair’s smile vanished, his expression turning grim. “You are as sharp as ever. Yes, there is a condition. A simple one, really.” He leaned back, his fingers steepling before him as if he were about to reveal the punchline of a cruel joke. “You must marry. And soon.”
A short, bitter laugh escaped me. “Marry? And how exactly is that supposed to solidify my claim on your territory?”
“It’s not about solidifying your claim,” Altair said, his voice dropping to a near whisper, his eyes turning distant as if he were staring into some abyss only he could see. “It’s about ensuring that the power you wield doesn’t die with you. You may not have considered it, but without an heir, without stability, your enemies will descend on your territory like vultures the second you show weakness.”
I clenched my jaw, my fingers tightening on the armrest. “You expect me to bind myself to someone for the sake of your territory?”
Altair’s gaze sharpened again, piercing through the shadows I wore like armor. “You think it’s power that keeps you safe, but it isn’t. It’s the ability to create something that will outlive you.”
I scoffed and shook my head. “You mistake me for someone who cares for such things.”
“Do I?” Altair’s smile was almost pitying. “I’ve seen what happens when men like us refuse to plan for the future. You won’t only lose a territory, you’ll lose everything.” He leanedforward, a cunning light entering his eyes. “You have one month. Marry, or this offer disappears.”
The room felt colder, the shadows around me whispering in response to the command hidden in Altair’s tone. I was tempted to reject him on principle, to deny him the satisfaction of believing he had forced my hand.
But the gears were already turning in my mind, assessing, calculating. This inheritance could reshape the entire landscape of The Below. For such a long time, my focus had been solely on curing the ill women of my territory. My scientists had determined the illness was introduced deliberately and magically engineered to never spread beyond our borders. Someone had orchestrated the virus to affect only our women. It was a blatant attack against me.
Now, I had an obligation to rebuild. Not just my population—though it would be nice to have more women—but also to obtain the powers so many held in the Crimson Dominion. If I took Altair’s offer, I would immediately gain strength in numbers and power.
I was no fucking fool and would never agree to such grave terms without some type of agreement. “I will marry, but I need certainty that you will fulfill your end of this bargain.” I held out my arm and rolled up my sleeve. “I want you to perform a binding oath.”
Altair nodded and slowly pushed himself into a standing position, pulling a knife from the inner pocket of his jacket. Altair traced a sigil into the air with his sharp knife, its glowing trail searing itself into my skin.
I didn’t flinch as the mark formed on my forearm—dark, intricate, and pulsing faintly with magic. It felt like shackles tightening, binding me to his terms.
“One month,” he said, grinning smugly. “Find a wife, seal the deal, and the territory is yours.”
My jaw clenched, but I kept my gaze fixed on his and nodded once. The burn on my arm was nothing compared to the weight of the bargain settling in my chest. One month to change my fate or I’d forfeit everything.
The old sorcerer put his knife away, crossing his arms over his chest. He seemed fully satisfied, and why shouldn’t he be? He had just sealed my fate.
“Very well,” I said finally, the words like ice on my tongue. “One month.”
Altair’s laughter was dark and hollow, and it echoed in my mind long after he was escorted off my estate.
As soon asAltair Coppola’s hunched figure faded into the distant shadows, I exhaled. Marry within the month? As if absorbing the Crimson Dominion wasn’t already a monumental task, now I had to play the role of a dutiful husband.
That would never fucking happen. I would have to find someone who could be convinced to join me in a purely political marriage and agree to bear me an heir. Most importantly, she’d need to stay out of my damn business. I didn’t need an ambitious bitch who’d try to push herself into my affairs.
I turned away from the window, my thoughts churning, but a sudden shift in the air sent a chill down my spine. The shadows thickened, growing darker and colder, until they twisted together and solidified into a tangible form.
