As if on cue, the gathered eyes shifted toward the walls. Alora followed their gaze, then nearly retched. Bodies hung there, or what remained of them. Heads and torsos, limbs twisted and nailed into black stone. Entrails dangled like grotesque garlands.
The fate of demons who had gone mad with hunger for her scent.
Bile surged up her throat.
Rune turned her chin, so she’d look at him instead. Instead of commanding, his voice was now quiet. “Now be gone.”
In bursts of smoke and shrieks scattered through the court as demons vanished into the dark one by one or flew away into tunnels in the ceiling. All but the Harbingers.
Alora sat frozen on his lap, her heart slamming against her ribs, every breath a shiver. She could feel the heat of Rune’s body beneath her, the weight of his arm still firm around her waist, like she was a … possession.
“This wasn’t a coronation—it was aclaiming,”Alora said, pushing Rune’s arm off.“You presented me like a prize to your court!”
He chuckled, resting his elbow on the armrest, his chin supported by his fist. “Oh, but you are a prize.”
She was still trying to breathe, to think, and he was already reshaping her identity with a single title.
Shadow Queen.
She wanted to rip it off her skin.
Alora reached up to remove the tiara, but he caught her wrist.
“Leave it. You wear it with perfect disdain.”
“I don’t want it!”
“Nevertheless, you were crowned the moment we were wed.” Rune glanced pointedly at the ring still resting on her finger. The ruby flickered like it bore fire inside. “We are now bound,” he said softly. “Forever.”
Do you choose to bind yourself to me by accepting this ring?
His words had been intentional.
“I hate you,”she seethed, tearing her wrist from his hold.
Rune laughed.
“You find that amusing?”
“I find I am pleased you feel anything for me.” He took her chin, making her meet his crimson gaze. “Especially something as arduous as hate.”
She scowled, jerking her chin away.
“Don’t think of this as mockery, songbird. You are the bride of the Netherworld King. Acknowledging you before the court grants you safety. Especially in Karag Dûr.”
The demons hadn’t merely knelt to him. They had looked at her as if they could already smell the power bleeding off her. Power she hadn’t asked for. Power she didn’t know how to wield. And yet, what choice did she have?
The court had seen her now. Title or not, even she knew they craved her. The bracelet could do so much to mask her scent.
And Seven help her... being his queen was no longer a choice. It was survival.
But that didn’t mean she had to surrender.
“I told you,” Alora said tightly. “I am not your wife until you give me what you promised.”
“Your bride’s price?” Rune echoed, his tone laced with amusement. “Let us discuss it later.”
Alora crossed her arms. “No.Now.”
