Sundered by Fate: Dark MM Demon Fantasy Romance by Vera Winters

Author:Vera Winters [Winters, Vera]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Winter Woods Publishing
Published: 2024-11-02T00:00:00+00:00

Eleven

Aric fought the urge to pace as he waited in the elegant corridor outside Lord Valerian's private study. The guards on either side of the door watched him with impassive stares, and he forced himself to stand still, willing his heart to stop pounding in his ears.

He could still feel the faint, fading edges of the dream clinging to him like mist—Malekith's presence so near and yet agonizingly out of reach. He cursed the timing of this summons; he needed answers, now more than ever, and he doubted Valerian would be forthcoming.

But what choice did he have? He was here, in Valerian's city, at the mercy of human politics and intrigues that felt hopelessly tangled and foreign after so long away. But he'd faced demons and dark magic without fear; he could face whatever machinations the Astarians had in store for him. And if nothing else, perhaps he could learn something useful before finding a way to speak to Malekith once more.

The guard to his left finally spoke up, calling out through the door. "My lord! Aric Solarian has arrived."

The words had barely finished echoing off the high ceilings when the door swung inward with a gentle creak. Valerian stood framed in the entranceway, a faint smile tugging at his lips as his dark eyes swept over Aric appraisingly.

"Aric," Valerian said warmly, holding out a hand. "Thank you for joining me on such short notice. I apologize for disrupting your rest."

His eyes said otherwise—that sharp glint of calculation lurking behind them—but Aric forced himself to match Valerian's smile as he took the offered hand. "Of course, Lord Regent. I am yours to command."

The little chuckle Valerian gave was disarming in its warmth. "I assure you, I have no intention of commanding anyone tonight—at least not yet." He released Aric's hand but lingered close, guiding him with an arm over his shoulders into the room. "I thought we might take a walk through our fair city instead. I imagine it must look quite different than you remember."

"A walk?" Aric tried not to sound too incredulous.

Valerian ignored it if he noticed. "Yes, quite different indeed." He withdrew, calling out to someone beyond Aric's sight with brisk instructions for preparations before turning back to him with that relentless charm.

"Shall we?"

Despite himself, Aric found himself smiling back.

The palace's corridors were like a labyrinth of polished marble and gilded woodwork, but Valerian navigated them with ease, pointing out ancient statues and tapestries as they walked.

"This, for example, depicts the Blade of Sun's Dawn, wielded by our first Mage High Lord during the founding of Astaria." Valerian gestured to a massive sword encased in glass. "It's said he called down the very light of the gods themselves to banish the demon hordes from our shores."

Aric stopped to admire the craftsmanship, his mind spinning with the ancient magics it must have channeled. "Even as a replica, it's remarkable."

"Indeed," Valerian said, watching him closely. "We take great pride in our heritage." With a glance over his shoulder, he leaned in closer.

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