Just as I finish my sentence, the whispers halt, and the sudden silence feels so much worse. Because now we’re being watched, but not by the dead—by something very, very alive. We’ve reached the edge of Maelkar’s domain, the bones beneath our feet glowing faintly violet, like veins of corruption threading through the land. The Shadowtongue knows we’re here. And he’s waiting.
“Fuck”I breathe, frustration biting into every word.
“What? What is it?” Daisy asks, her voice laced with panic.
“He knows we’re here.” I clench my jaw. “I wanted time to build my reserves before facing him. But I guess we don’t have that luxury today.”
The whispers suddenly start again. This time, much louder, more frantic, and coming from every single direction. My heart pounds against my ribs as I brace myself, forcing my mental shields up. I lock every desire, every weakness, behind a wall of impenetrable stone in my mind.
Daisy throws her hands over her ears, her breathing turning rapid. Her eyes squeeze shut as she whimpers, stumbling into me to bury her face into my chest as she shakes her head violently. Shit. I should’ve prepared her better and taught her how to shield her mind before ever bringing her here. It’s too easy to forget that she’s mortal, that she’s untrained. And this realm is poison to the unguarded mind.
I wrap my arms around her, then unfurl my wings, pulling them tight around us like a shield. We’re wrapped entirely in me now—a cocoon of bone, leathery skin, and muscle.
“Shh, you’re okay,” I whisper, my mouth at her temple. “Daisy, listen to me. I need you to picture a door in your mind. A heavy one, okay? Put every want, every need behind that door and slam it shut. Hard!”
She shakes her head again, her entire body trembling as she whimpers softly against me.
“Try harder, Daisy. Slam that fucking door.”
Her body stiffens, her whimpers turning more frantic as her breaths coming in fast and hard. I grip onto her tightly, my heart racing in panic, but slowly, she stills as a calmness takes over her. Her breathing begins to slow, and I watch her eyes screw tight as a faint furrow forms between her brows. I watch her intently, not wanting to break her concentration. Come on, little flower, you can do this. She slowly lifts her hands from her ears and blinks up at me, her face glistening with sweat.
“I did it,” she whispers, her voice trembling slightly. “I slammed the door.”
A slow, wicked smile curves my lips as I lower my mouth to hers. I kiss her gently, letting my wings begin to unfold. “Well done, my sunshine.”
“Well, well, well…”A smooth, velvet voice cuts through the air like a poisoned blade. “Look at what the cat dragged in.”
I glance up, immediately placing the source. Maelkar Vyre.
He stands barefoot on the murky path, dark purple robes swirling around him like smoke. His shoulder-length inky waves glisten, drenched like he’s just emerged from the bog himself. His skin is slick midnight, laced with glowing violet veins. Bone and silver trinkets sway from his ears and neck, clinking faintly with every movement. And his eyes—pitch black, with a thin glowing ring of violet—lock onto mine with amusement. A too-perfect, chilling smile stretches his lips. Warm yet wrong. Kind yet predatory.
“Keep your walls up,” I murmur to Daisy. “Keep that door locked tight.”
She nods once, stepping slightly behind me.
“Maelkar,” I greet, voice cold.
“Child of Ruin,” he croons with a grin. The title burns like a slap. “And this… must be your sunshine.” His gaze slides over Daisy, slow and heavy, like he’s imagining her without her clothing. “Aren’t you a delicious sight?”
I pull her firmly to my side, shielding her with my body as undead shadows begin to slither closer, forming a tight-knit half circle around us.
“What’s with the welcoming party, Shadowtongue? I pose no threat to you… yet.”
Maelkar laughs, a low and sharp sound that has my spine stiffening, waving a hand. Instantly, the undead slink back—some vanishing into shadows, others dissolving into the mire.
“Just a precaution, princeling. Not every day royalty comes strolling through my rot. Or such tempting mortals.” He licks his lips slowly, his gaze still locked on Daisy.
“I think you’ll find there’s nothing tempting about me,” She says, chin lifting in defiance, even as her heartbeat thunders against my side.
Gods… I love her fire.
Maelkar’s eyes spark with delight as he releases another laugh. “Your desires smell utterly divine, sunshine. Why don’t you let me have a taste, and I’ll be the judge of how tempting you really are.”
A snarl rips from my chest. “Back the fuck off of my wife, Shadowtongue. Or I’ll rip that silver tongue from your skull and mount it on my wall.”
“Wife?” Maelkar purrs, his eyebrows raised in clear amusement. “The Child of Ruin marries a mortal? Oh, I’m sure the Divine Six fucking loved that.”
“That’s why we’re here,” I growl. “I need a favour.”
