Light flared along the divine chains, the ancient symbols blazing before guttering out one by one. Then, with a thunderous crack, the manacles split and fell, crashing heavily on the stone.
For a breath, the dragon did not move.
Then he rose to his full height, wings unfurling with a leathery snap that hit her with a gust of wind. His roar tore through the dark like a storm breaking, so vast it shook her bones. Alora gasped, stumbling back.
His laugh followed, low and feral, curling inside her mind. His eyes slid closed briefly in triumph.Oh… yes.
She stared, wide-eyed, watching the scorched flesh where his shackles had bound him knit and heal before her eyes. His gaze lingered on her for a long breath and her heartbeat climbed.
Nothing bound him anymore.
But then a faint shaft of moonlight touched the edge of his jaw. His scales sizzled instantly, smoke curling from the burn. He recoiled with a snarl, dragging back into shadow.
Alora froze at this first glimpse of weakness. Her eyes flicked up to the jagged gap in the ceiling.
The light burned him.
His glowing eyes locked with hers and she sensed his ire, but not toward her.In three days’ time, on the night of the new moon, I will descend upon the invaders on your shores,he said and she smiled, heavy relief sinking through her.The dragon’s red eyes faded as it retreated into the depthless darkness of the cavern.And once their screams end and the fires die—I will come for you.
Alora blinked at him, her breath catching. “I don’t understand.”
Did you forget?His voice purred in her ear, as though he stood beside her.The shadows writhed around her legs, coiling up over her waist.You bargained away your soul for my aid.Therefore, you now belong to me.
Her heart lurched. She jerked forward but stepped back into the moonlight. “That was not our agreement!”
We agreed I would grant you freedom. From your father. From tyranny. From duty. You will no longer be a princess. Not the bride of a foreign nation, but mine.
“No…” She stumbled backward, her throat catching with a sob. “I didn’t want this…”
The song had been a warning. So plain to see. She thought herself clever, but the God of Shadows had lured her into a deal on his terms. A snare wrapped in silk, as merciless as the manacles in the dust.
Her eyes welled. “Why me?”
Dragons are always seeking treasure for their troves.
The amusement in his tone suggested other things Alora couldn’t pretend to understand. He mocked her as everyone else did.
“How is this meant to be freedom?” she asked, not bothering to disguise her tears. “You have trapped me within another prison when all I wanted was peace!”
The God of Shadows quieted.
She couldn’t see him, but his gaze settled on her like a weight. When he spoke again, his voice was almost pitying.
Peace is temporary. Freedom an illusion. As my bride, no king will barter you, no council will cage you. Walk in my shadows and the world will bow at your feet.
She turned in place, sensing his silent presence circling her like prey.
I will give you anything you desire. Wealth, crowns, vengeance. There is but one tether I demand: that you remain by my side for all eternity. Give me your soul and I will provide liberties the world never offered you.
Such pretty words. So charming and tempting. If she had not already been fooled by him.Eternity.The thought made her teeth clench. Regardless, logic argued this could work in her favor. The God of Shadows was power incarnate, and power was the last coin left to her.
Use him. Use his power. Survive.
Because she had not come this far to bend to another.
His presence retreated into the dark, his voice fading.Go now and await the downfall of your enemies.
Alora gave a shaky nod.
