The corridor opened onto a vast chamber. It had to be vast to house the enormous statue at the far end. I stumbled under the giant's pale stare, but Shale steadied me. The priests split around us, going forward while we came to a stop. They went to the base of the statue and knelt. There, at the feet of the God Ranu, altars held offerings—platters full of treasure and bowls of crimson crusted with rust red. Gold and blood. Holy fuck.
The God's image was sculpted from white stone as pale as the hair on Shale's head. His and his mother's. Marble probably, but without veins. Ranu's feet stood behind the twin altars. Between them, in the wall behind the statue, was an ominous door. I ignored it and stared up those long legs, up lean thighs to a jeweled loincloth. A flat stomach rose above it, rippled in muscles that led to a broad chest. Arms as wide as I was tall extended in welcome or maybe blessing. It was something good, going by the expression on the God's face. His beautiful features were peaceful, his eyes kind, but the tips of his fangs showed behind his parted lips.
Nope. Didn't care how nice he looked. Ranu scared the shit out of me.
I was about to beg Shale to leave when the priests began to chant. The sound of it rolled through me, then became a vibration. Thera went to kneel at the God's feet, between the priests. She lifted her arms in supplication, just like the Eljaffna in the entryway carvings. She didn't speak, but something changed. The way she held herself. When she stood and turned to face us, she looked bigger. Almost masculine. Spinning on their knees, the priests turned to face her and bowed their heads.
In a male voice, the Duchess spoke, “You have come to take back what was sacrificed to me.”
Shale dropped to his knees and yanked on my hand until I did the same. “Not take, Great Ranu. Never. I come to beg you to have pity on me. I have given a century and a half to you. My love has been yours and it has saved my life. I'm thankful for that. But I believe I can survive the loss of my mate now. I can survive because of this man. Because of his love. Please, tell me what I can give you to replace my sacrifice. I will sacrifice anything else or perform any task you wish if you will return my love to me.”
“The only fitting replacement for love is love.”
“But I have no more love to give.”
“Yes, you do.” Ranu looked at me through Thera's eyes. “Sebastian Dahl, mortal child, you have dared to love a Dragon. There is courage in you. Greatness. You are a fitting sacrifice.”
“No!” Shale roared and shot to his feet. “I cannot sacrifice Sebastian for my love. He is the reason I want it back.”
“And he may survive, Dragon King,” Ranu said. “I will test your consort. If he proves worthy and strong enough, he will find your love and bring it back to you. If not, he will take its place. Either way, your love will be returned to you tonight. Sebastian risks his life, and you risk the pain of mourning two lovers. That is my price. Do you accept?”
“No,” Shale whispered. “No, this is my doing. This should be my task alone.”
I stood up slowly, my stare locked on Thera's, or rather, Ranu's eyes. “I accept.”
“Yes, you understand,” Ranu said. “So young, and yet you feel so much, don't you, Sebastian?”
“I do. And my love for him will see me through your tests.”
“No, you are not risking yourself!” Shale grabbed my arm. “You promised you'd never leave me.”
I tore my gaze away from the God's and met Shale's frantic stare. “I'm not leaving you. I'm going to get the love I fucking deserve. It's mine!”
Shale blinked and stepped back.
Ranu chuckled. “That's right, Sebastian. It will be yours. If you can take it.”
“I can,” I said. “I will.”
“Then come to me.” Thera shuddered and hunched forward.
I went past her, knowing exactly where to go. Where to find Ranu.
As I passed her, Thera grabbed my arm, her grip vicious. “Do not fail him.”
“I never have, and never will.” I slipped free of her and strode between the kneeling priests, then between the God's feet.
“Sebastian!” Shale shouted.
Just before I opened the door to the God's domain, I turned and looked back. Shale looked frantic, his eyes bleeding pain and his hands trembling as he reached for me. Strained for me. His whole body was straining as if against a great weight. Locked in place, probably by the God.
I burned his image into my mind, knowing that it would see me through whatever his god demanded of me. “I love you, Shaleros.” Then I smiled, turned, and left the world behind.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Darkness enveloped me, thick and impenetrable. Then a glow appeared somewhere ahead. Pink and soft. Just seeing it brought tears to my eyes. But I also felt it. It was tender, warm, gentle. Loving. Itwaslove. Shale's love.
“It is pure,” the God's voice came from all around me. “As soon as Shaleros gave his love into my keeping, the mating bond with Erelis was broken. If you can win his love, Sebastian, it will not harm him. He will not feel the pain of losing his mate.”
