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Chapter 22
One Month Later
Igiggled and pulled Mrak through the castle palace corridors. After what had happened in the kingdom's previous capital—and the worry that leftover feelings might awaken Dakta again—Mrak and his court had moved the capital the relatively short distance to the palace we’d been staying at. With a lot of magic and work, the court had even managed to get most residents moved too.
Leif and his Lunar League demon hunters had returned almost immediately to Earth with Quinn. Something about not wanting to stay far away for long. I was pretty sure he was convinced Mrak would change his mind and not let them return. But that wasn’t the case at all and, in fact, Quinn had returned with Willa after a few days. They both had wanted to stay in Kithonia, and so Mrak had welcomed them—human or not.
Which was good because, with the Lunar League now marginally entangled with Kithonia, the portals had to stay open. An easy peace had been created, with Quinn and Willa as ambassadors. Leif, to no one’s shock, had wanted nothing to do with Kithonia or me ever again.
But so long as any demons who crossed over to Earth caused no problems, the peace would stay and all the nightsteel would be moved to Earth under the Lunar League’s protection.
Nightsteel would never be used again against the demons of Kithonia.
All of that had been a month ago. In the month since, Mrak’s reputation as merciful had spread, but it remained slightly tainted. Perhaps real mercy would have been finding a way to stop Sylas without killing him. But with how far Dakta had dug into Mrak’s brother, evident by being able to possess him at least partially, there was no telling what an alternative course of action could have created.
Instead, Mrak had commissioned a memorial to Sylas as he once was, while respecting and not excusing the crimes hehadcommitted against his people.
And today—todayhad been Mrak’s coronation. As of a few minutes ago, Mrak was now the king of Kithonia once more.
“Easy, Aisling,” Mrak chuckled as I ducked into my chambers. My own crown slipped a little with the movement. Mrak leveled me with a look before straightening it again. “You’re a spitfire today, my queen.”
I grinned from ear-to-ear. “I’m simply enjoying this happy ending we’ve carved out for ourselves.” Slightly tainted as it was, this was the best we’d probably get as far as endings went. Maybe over time we could right some of our own wrongs, too.
Mrak pulled the door shut and threw the lock before scooping me up and walking me over to the bed. I’d held my shadow demon form throughout the ceremony, but let it slip now. This was more comfortable, and I knew Mrak preferred it.
Mrak laid me down in the bed, my beautiful ballgown and all, and climbed on top of me. His six eyes drank me in.
I blushed at the intensity there as he studied me. “I won’t disappear, I promise.”
Mrak’s clawed hand drew down my check, then my neck and hips. “I know. I only wish that had been our hand-fasting. I wish to claim you as a husband does.”
“Why?” I asked, still grinning. “Why wait when you can claim me as your king? I’ve been yours since the day we met, Mrak. A simple rope and pretty words won’t change that.”
Mrak’s brow raised, and he smiled devilishly. “Rope. Now there’s an idea.”
Excitement shot through me. I grinned. “That sounds fun.”
Mrak pulled up my skirts, hiking them above my waist, and nudged a knee between my legs. “Then as a king it is.” He bent down to kiss me as he ripped open his trousers. He claimed me with his mouth as he ripped my panties aside and nudged my entrance with his length.
And then he paused.
“What is it?” I asked, staring up at him with worry. “What’s wrong?”
Mrak smiled softly and kissed my forehead. “Nothing. I simply want to remember this moment, Aisling. When I fulfilled my promise to you. You are safe at last.”
Warmthflooded my chest—love, and an ocean of it. “I’m pretty sure I said for life. So you’re kind of stuck with me.” I winked at him.
Mrak growled and slid inside me with one single stroke. I moaned loudly and pressed my fingernails into his back. “Then we better get started.”
Mrak set an even pace, as steady as our time together in our dream. Our magic mixed in at the same time. It heightened the sensations and feelings, making every touch feel tenfold stronger, and every orgasm like an eternity of bliss. Mrak claimed me thoroughly with every tendril and shadow he had, even though I was already his, and I gave everything I had to him.
When we finally collapsed to the bed, our chests heaving, my dress back down my legs, I couldn’t stop smiling.
I had finally found beauty in a dark place. But more importantly, I’d found love.
