Hundreds of voices argued, debated, laughed. The press of bodies creating a wall of sound. Then they stepped inside and everything died.
Silence. Complete silence that made her ears ring.
Death Lords in their attire stood at positions like pieces on a game board. Courtiers from all five domains filled the vast space, some beautiful enough to make mortals weep, others terrifying enough to stop hearts. Servants lined the walls. Shadow-guards stood at attention, more formal than she'd ever seen them.
Every face turned toward them.
Her instincts screamedrun. Find an exit. Disappear.
But she wasn't running anymore.
Dante's hand covered hers on his arm.
I'm here, she felt through the bond.You're not alone.
I know. Still terrifying.
You've faced worse.
Have I?
His thumb brushed her knuckles where no one could see.You faced me.
They began the long walk toward the center. Her dress whisperedagainst the floor. Their footsteps echoed. Her shadows and his twisted together behind them like a train. White and silver threading through black, creating patterns that made several courtiers step back.
She kept her chin high, meeting the eyes of anyone brave enough to hold her gaze, noting who looked respectful, versus resentful, versus terrified.
Most looked away immediately.
Seraphina looked magnificent in fitted leather and metal scales that flowed like fabric, crimson and black, both armor and gown. She gave Brynn a nod that felt like a salute between warriors.
Vex had chosen robes of silk that shifted color with each movement, deep purple melting into gold, then amber. Jewels glinted at his throat. His smile held warmth, and he winked at her.
Thessa floated more than stood, wrapped in flowing fabric that faded from solid grey silk to pure mist at the hem. Her pale eyes held approval that felt ancient.
Gabriel stood with quiet dignity in robes of soft gold, the Mourned Court's colors gentler under his stewardship than they'd ever been under Caelum's. He inclined his head to her, warmth in his expression.
They reached the center. Dante stopped, turning to face the assembly.
Then every being in the chamber knelt.
The movement rippled outward, hundreds of bodies lowering in acknowledgment, fabric and armor rustling like wind through dead leaves.
Death Lords. Courtiers. Servants. Guards. Every soul in the Forsaken realm bowed to them both.
Brynn's breath caught. Her grip on Dante's arm tightened.
They were bowing toher. Not just to him with her as an accessory. Toher.
Movement in the Mourned section made her heart stop.
Two figures stood apart from the kneeling masses.
Her parents.
Her knees almost buckled. Something cracked open inside her.Ten years of grief and guilt and longing rising up her throat like a scream she'd been holding since the night they died.
They weren't the twisted memory she'd carried for a decade. They were her parents as they truly were. Her father’s sharp eyes had softened with pride. Her mother smiled even as tears tracked down ghostly cheeks.
