Page 37 of The Dark Lord’s Guide to Honeymooning (and Other Acts of Tyranny)

Through one of the damaged outer walls, another keep was visible across the chasm—a half-ruined structure on its own isolated island. I’d warded it so heavily that even looking at it too long made most people’s eyes water.

Arabella’s gaze followed mine to the crumbling keep. Her eyes narrowed, then widened as if seeing through a veil for the first time. “How have I never noticed—”

“The Old Keep.” My voice dropped low enough that the workers couldn’t overhear. “When I first took Skyspire, that whole area resisted renovation. Workers had accidents. Tools shattered. The building itself seemed to reject any attempt to alter it.” I shrugged. “I gave up trying to change it, but it turned out to be exceptional at containing dangerous items. It’s a magical vault, of sorts, and why I keep it heavily warded.”

Her lips parted, no doubt to ask what kinds of things, but my stomach chose that moment to voice another complaint with a sound that could have woken the dead.

13 Share Your Table with a Hero

(Without Strangling Him, Somehow)

Kazimir

The private dining room was one of the few spaces that had escaped damage during the attack. It was considerably smaller than the Great Hall, with a table that could only seat six people comfortably. A roaring fire in the large hearth completed the intimate setting.

We’d barely entered when the door opened again, admitting Thorne with Griffin and Sebastian trailing behind. A guard hovered at the doorway—Sebastian hadn’t been allowed to navigate the Inner Sanctum alone.

“My lord,” Thorne said with a nod. “My lady.”

“Lady Blackrose,” Sebastian said with a deep bow that was both excessive and graceful. “I don’t know how to thank you for your extraordinary kindness. And Lord Blackrose—” He turned to me with another bow. “Offering sanctuary to someone who has no claim on your mercy is… unexpected, given your reputation.”

I glowered at him, about to remind him that I hadn’t offered him anything.

“You’re welcome, Sebastian,” Arabella said, clearly fighting a smile. “Any enemy of Auremar’s is a friend of ours.”

Friend. I didn’t like that word. Ally, perhaps. Useful asset, certainly. But friend? No.

“Thank you,” Sebastian said warmly. I noticed his gaze had drifted to the black roses. He frowned slightly, then seemed to forcibly drag his attention back to us.

Beside him, Griffin was practically vibrating with excitement, looking at Sebastian like he was some kind of hero. Which, technically, I supposed he was. How nauseating.

As people found their seats, Sebastian’s eyes kept flicking to the roses, his brow furrowing. He opened his mouth as if to say something, then closed it again, shaking his head slightly.

Thorne caught my attention. “A word?”

I let him pull me aside. Griffin was already stammering at Sebastian about the architectural integrity of the dining room’s vaulted ceiling, though Sebastian seemed distracted, his violet eyes darting to the centerpiece again.

“The aftermath was handled,” Thorne said, his voice low. “Most of our forces were still dealing with the bodies when you left. The few enemies who witnessed anything are no longer witnesses.”

“Good.” The last thing I needed was word spreading about my moment of weakness. My enemies would pounce on any sign of vulnerability.

“All in all, morale is high, my lord. The victory was decisive. The outpost is secured, and our forces are ready to move on your command. It was a perfectly executed campaign.”

I resisted the urge to grumble about how it was hardly a campaign when everything had gone to shit before we’d even properly begun.

Thorne paused.

“What?” I prompted.

“Some of the shadow constructs you left behind are apparently still wandering around, terrifying the remaining servants in the outpost.”

“They’ll dissipate eventually.” Probably. My control over them had been growing stronger lately, but I hadn’t actually tested them at such a distance. I could recall them of course, but couldn’t be bothered just now.

“When are you returning?” Thorne asked.

I shook my head. “A few days, at most. We’ll know more after I speak to Griffin.” I refused to acknowledge a full retreat might be necessary. There was still time to reach Sunspire and take it before Auremar could muster his full forces. “The bone collection?”

“Proceeding as ordered,” Thorne said. “They’re being gathered and cleaned. Should be ready for transport within the day.”