River of Shadows (Underworld Gods #1)(85)

“This one.” He gestures to the air around me with his other hand. “The sight of you outside here in the garden, in the fresh sea air. I don’t think you’ve ever looked so lovely, little bird.”

His eyes then darken. Literally. The gray turning a tarnished pewter, matching the color of his runes. “It makes me worry that you might catch a gust of wind coming from places unknown to you, that it may make you curious enough to try and spread your wings. That you’ll fly far from here and never look back.”

He cups my face now, his thumb gently brushing over my lip now. I lean back against the wall, feeling the cool air sweeping over the sides, ruffling my hair in tendrils that dance around my breasts.

“I’ve become quite fond of you, Hanna,” he says in a low murmur, his eyes searching my face. “I’m not used to feeling anything of the sort. You’ll have to forgive me if my fear makes me do foolish things.”

“What foolish things?” I ask.

He gives me a small knowing smile, making him look positively roguish. “You will find out soon enough,” he says.

Then he straightens up, his hand dropping to my waist, and he looks over at Sarvi who is nibbling on some grass, like a straight-up normal horse.

“Sarvi,” Death says. “Would you mind giving us some privacy?”

Sarvi raises its head, then nods, tail swishing. Of course, sir. Is there something you’d like me to do for you in the meantime?

Another dark look passes over Death’s eyes, his black arched brows furrowing. “Yes. Fly to the City of Death. To Inmost. Tell the dwellers that there will be a Bone Match next week, and for them to put forth their best fighters. There will be ten different rounds, running all day long. Each winner will receive sanctuary at Shadow’s End as one of my royal guards.”

Yes, sir, Sarvi says, though it sounds hesitant. May I ask why we’re having such a big competition?

“Because I want everyone to know that I’m strengthening my army,” he says gruffly, and though he may not have a skull or crown on his head at the moment, he sounds very much the king. “I want the word to spread far and wide, throughout the city factions, throughout the realm itself. I want it to reach the bogs of Star Swamp, and the shamans of the Upper World. I want them to know that any uprising will be met with a reckoning.”

That little speech shouldn’t turn me on but it does, heat flaring between my thighs. Apparently I’m a simp for power.

Yes, sir, Sarvi says, eye gleaming. Sarvi seems to like it too.

“Invite all the Gods and Lesser Gods,” Death goes on. “Tell them it will be the first formal appearance of the new Goddess of Death.”

My eyes widen. “Wait, what?”

I beg your pardon? Sarvi snorts in disbelief at the same time.

Death glances down at me, his eyes tempestuous. “You’re to be my bride, Hanna. This shouldn’t be a surprise to you.”

Well, I don’t mean any disrespect, sir, but it’s a most shocking development to me, Sarvi says.

“And me!” I tell Death. Good lord. “What do you mean, your bride? Since when…we’re not married. We are so not married.”

Unless…Oh shit, is there some weird custom here that when you have sex with the king, you automatically become the queen or something?

“We will be married, soon,” he says, his nostrils flaring in defiance. He looks at Sarvi. “There’s nothing you need to do about it. It will be a civil ceremony, with Kalma officiating. You will be there as witness, that’s all. I know Lovia will be disappointed there isn’t a big party, but after Surma revealed his intentions, I don’t think waiting will help anything. This world believes in the prophecy; it’s the only hand I have right now.”

I shake my head. This is moving fast. Way too fast. “Don’t I get a say in this?”

He grins at me, looking more wicked than handsome now, a truly devious king. “It was your suggestion, fairy girl. Don’t you remember what you had first put on the table? You told me you would marry me. You said I could make you my bride.”

“If it came to it,” I protest, feeling panicked.

“Well, it’s come to it,” he snaps, his eyes taking on a harsh glint. “As you know, I am not someone who goes back on my word. I let your father go, I cured him, not because I wanted to, but because I promised to. You must keep your word to me, Hanna.”

“And if I don’t?”

“You will,” he says, his hand coming to my chin again and holding my face, his grip tighter now, his gaze hardening. “You have no choice in the matter. Unless you want me to do to you what I did to Surma.”

“Are you threatening me?” I practically sneer at him. He wouldn’t dare!

“Does this surprise you too? For shame, fairy girl. So much naivete.” With his hand still on my chin, he glances at Sarvi. “Off you go now.”

Sarvi nods. Giant black leather wings unfurl and the unicorn leaps up into the sky, flying away, leaving Death and I alone in the garden.

I watch as Sarvi’s dark shape in the periwinkle blue sky disappears and then I feel truly afraid.

“You’re angry with me,” Death muses, his gaze roaming my face.

“I’m always angry with you.” Frustration rolls through me and I try to whip my face from his grasp, but his grip is strong.