As Morgan moved into the room, her shadows slithered beside her, like a faithful companion. That was what they’d become. Her companions in the dark; a beautiful, misty piece of her that was alive with power and potential.
She saw the Sun King before he saw her, sitting silently with a book in his hand. He had that casual air about him of someone who was perfectly content. His suntanned skin and amber locks were too perfect. It wasn’t fair that such an arrogant man should be so gorgeous.
Finally he looked up at her, a small smirk tugged at one side of his face, exposing the slightest dimple on his cheek. “Ah, Morgan. You have returned from your stay, I see.”
“Yeah, Selene just got me out. I’m sure you knew.” Her voice sounded scratchy and unused as she spoke.
“Sit,” Rylo commanded. “How was your time in the Tower of Teeth?” A tea set for two appeared on the table as Morgan leaned into the low back couch.
“You stuck me in the dark for days. How do you think it went?” Morgan asked, grinding her teeth as she spoke. The shadows around her began snaking closer to Rylo and he tried to kick them away.
“It was for your best interest. You needed to get the absurd notion that you can leave Aeritis out of your mind. And you needed to get command of those lovely shadows of yours. Am I correct to assume that both things occurred during your time alone?”
Morgan let the shadows twist up the couch Rylo sat on until they reached his torso and slithered up his body, caressing his neck. He pressed his back against the couch, wings tucked in tight. She tugged her shadows slightly against Rylo’s throat until his golden eyes lit like bright orbs and his skin began to glimmer. Then she released the shadows, pulling them back into herself.
She reached for the tea set and poured herself a cup of piping hot, reddish tinted tea. It had a cinnamon and acorn scent and reminded her of the cool fall day outside.
“Does that answer your question?” Morgan asked with a grin.
“Do you plan to be a kingslayer twice over?” Rylo replied as he poured a cup for himself. His skin still seemed to sparkle with golden light as he took a steadying drink.
“Right now? No. But I won’t guarantee that if you ever stick me back in your stinking torture tower.”
Rylo’s look of boredom slid away as he eyed her with distrust mingled with curiosity. “I will not coddle you like Savine has done to your sister. You are not my soulmate and make no mistake, I plan to use that great well of power in you for the coming conflict. Selene told me what she saw in your soul. Whatyousaw. Your raw ambition, an analytical mind and someone who takes calculated risks. Tell me, have you found that part of yourself again?”
Morgan looked at him and considered how she should respond to such a question. She saw a lot of herself in the darkness. Parts that were ugly and parts that were beautiful. But most of all, she saw her inner strength and her need to outwit these fae. She wasn’t going to let these people who’d already hurther take away her power again. She wanted revenge, yes, but she also wanted a greater purpose in Aeritis if she was trapped here. Finally, she decided she’d be honest with this man.
“Yeah, I did.”
“Good. Do you see all these books?” Morgan looked at the room as Rylo waved his hands. Floor to ceiling bookcases wrapped around the room. “They’re a fraction of what I have collected over the years. Knowledge is power, and I think you can agree with that.”
Morgan nodded, not sure where he was going with this statement.
“Since I first discovered humans could enter our realm through Sapphire Falls I have collected every book and ancient text on the humans I could find. The witches at The Cleaving were far more powerful than any fae, and when they worked together they were unstoppable in magical strength. Your sister accidentally tapped into this strength, but I want you to learn it properly. I want you to study their history. Practice their spells and grow that power in yourself. Nephel has long been subjected to attacks from more powerful armies and greedy nations that have stolen our land. I was able to secure just a fraction of that land back from Savine in exchange for his little mate, but I want it all back. And you are going to help me get it.”
Morgan knew that Savine had initially seen her sister as some sort of gift that he could control, but this seemed to be some kind of power-hungry fae ruler trait.
“Why would I do that?” Morgan asked, crossing her arms.
“Beyond becoming the most powerful being in this realm? What is it you want, Kingslayer?”
Morgan grinned. While thinking in the dark, she knew what she wanted out of this place. She wanted to be the one in control, the one calling the shots. The shadows slithered away from her, reaching out toward Rylo again.
“I want three oaths from you, and I will speak the words of the bargain. You’ll agree to them no matter what I ask for,” she said, smiling up at the surprise on the man’s face.
“Three oaths? You drive a hard bargain. The fae rarely agree to such things.”
“Well, that’s what I want. If you want to use my brain and my magic then you’ll agree. Otherwise I’ll just be loafing around your home until I go to Orofine.”
Rylo pursed his lips. He hesitated long enough that she thought he may refuse her offer.
“Agreed. Three oaths in exchange for your mind and your magic.”
They both stood, shaking on the agreement. As their hands touched, bright light, like that of the sun, wrapped around her arm and mingled with the shadows that stretched up Rylo’s arm.
Their magic was in conflict against each other, and she saw his skin continue to gleam like morning light as he sat back down.
“Don’t be alarmed, pet. I was testing your truthfulness with a bit of my essence. If you were lying you’d be blistered from head to toe,” Rylo drawled as he took a chocolate from a box that appeared from thin air. “Now when can I expect you to follow through on your oaths?”
