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Mother didn’t even hesitate, but bowed her head to him. “Oh, it won’t be powerless. Not if it’s hers.”

The king wasn’t impressed. “You have until the end of the week. Then we all gather—to see Grace united with the appropriate man, or to call judgment on you for schemes to delay the Lord Breckon’s union.”

My brows shot up.

There were only Cruors’ here. They all knew Mother was Dominus—and that the king would ultimately bow to her in a battle of wills. Yet he threatened her before them? With witnesses who understood the underlying powers?

Was he threatening to challenge her for the mark?

And what would I do about it, if he was?

Darkness to Darkness

~ GRACE ~

As I glided through the castle at his mother’s side—and she deftly insisted Breckon leave us to lick his wounds—Voski spoke through the link, making certain he knew where we were, following through the passages so the others remained unaware of his presence.

‘Tell me if your course changes,’ he sent with the weight of warning. ‘If not, I’ll meet you back at her chambers—the passageway we used to get to her when we confronted her, do you remember?’

‘Yes. But now that she knows you know it, don’t you think she’ll have it blocked?’

‘More likely trapped to snare me with her magik,’ he muttered into the link ‘But she struggles to touch me with her power. I’ll be fine.’

‘Voski—’

‘Just keep your eyes open. Even if she’s being honest—even if she’s truly helping us—she has an ulterior motive, and she won’t reveal it until she’s cleared the path to what she wants. Don’t let her sway you.’

‘I won’t.’

There was a pause before he sent again, softly. ‘I love you, Grace. Once I arrive, you return to being enthralled and let me handle her. We will be together this night. You have my word.’

I responded with a thrust of anticipation and hope, then turned hurriedly back to watching our course to ensure we returned to Lady Ashford’s quarters.

Thank God, we did. And the moment we were inside and Lady Ashford dismissed the servants, Voski strode out of his hiding place. His gaze was chilling, but fixed on her as he approached. But, of course, she slipped between us, palms up in a gesture to stop him.

“Vane, we must speak before—”

“I’m taking her. Get out of the way. Now.”

“You can take her! Only, wait a moment to—”

“I’m not playing your game, Mother. Make a decoy and have her placed quickly so the servants don’t ask questions, because I have been more than patient awaiting this reunion, and I will not be delayed again.” He leaned past her, reaching for my hand.

I had risen to my feet in preparation to leave, and nodded to him—I would follow, even if she protested. But just as his hand touched mine, there was a resounding crack in the air. The sound rang my skull and I gasped, jerking my hand back from his because it felt as if my fingers had been struck.

The shock startled me, and I staggered back instinctively—then breathed Voski’s name as nothing I saw made sense.

Lady Ashford flickered.

The room went dark where she stood—shadows taking form, whipping and rolling like thunderclouds, shrouding her—but light emanating from her.

Voski’s face twisted, teeth bared, his body trembling as if he fought, though he didn’t move.

All light in the room fading, as if the lanterns and fire had all been doused at the same time.

“I said, just a moment!” Her voice seemed to erupt from the very walls.

Voski jerked.