Page 5 of A Bond So Deadly

Blake’s eyes widen for a fraction of a second before the surprise is gone. “As poetic as your prophecy is, it only talks about them having to be wary of bonding with their fated mate. And from what I can sense, those five haven’t bonded yet.”

As she says it, Raith’s monster lets out a possessive growl.

“You’re not grasping the gravity of the situation,” Queen Krosia insists, still staring gravely at Blake. “Everything we’ve fought for is at risk. She cannot be allowed to live. I will not allow it.” Power swells around the shadow queen again, and just as I feel she’s about to erase me from existence, there’s a blur of movement.

A heartbeat later, and Blake clicks her tongue from where she now stands closer to the shadow queen. I hadn’t even seen her move. “Oh, I understand perfectly, but I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” she tells Queen Krosia, and despite her playful tone, I’ve never seen Blake’s expression so dark.

Queen Krosia’s brows lower, but she doesn’t seem too bothered by Blake’s proximity. “Obviously you’re not willing to see reason, so I must act. This human has enchanted you, somehow. Once she is gone, you will see⁠—”

“Take her life, and you’ll die with her,” Blake snarls, closing the distance between them and pressing a dagger to the shadow queen’s neck.

A laugh rattles out of Queen Krosia. “You think your blade can kill me?”

Blake smiles wickedly. “Not my blade, no. But this isn’t my blade.”

Queen Krosia abruptly stops laughing, and when her gaze lands on the jeweled hilt of the dagger, her face pales. “Where did you get this?” she hisses.

“Oh, you know. Around,” Blake replies casually, still gripping the dagger. It’s a distinct blade with rich red jewels decorating the hilt. A dagger I remember all too well. Blake’s father, the demon king, had tasked Blake to steal it from the shadow realm some time ago as part of one of his tests.

A hysterical giggle threatens to burst out of me, and I barely keep it in.

Blake leans in close, whispering to the shadow queen. “We both know that with this blade, I can make sure you won’t be executing anyone.”

The shadow queen lifts her chin slightly, her throat bobbing. “Perhaps. But I’ll still kill your friend before I die.” Her shadow tightens around me until it feels like I’m being crushed. Raith’s monster snarls and tries to claw it off me, but it’s no use.

“And such is our predicament,” Blake says, pressing the blade even harder against the shadow queen’s neck. “Release Shade to me, and I’ll bring her back to the demon realm. She won’t be a danger to your war if she’s under my supervision.”

I let out a small, distressed sound as the shadow continues to squeeze, and Blake’s face hardens to stone.

“She can’t go with you,” Knox explains. “Once a human has been marked as a student of Shadowbone Academy, they can’t go to any other realm unless they’ve gained their immortality. To do so would result in their death within days.”

A chilling smile lifts Queen Krosia’s lips. “Yes, quite the predicament. So you see, there really is no other choice.”

Blake’s eyes flash with anger. “Then I shall enjoy making you suffer,” she growls, ready to slice the dagger across the shadow queen’s neck.

I close my eyes, because this is it. I brace for the pain. For the inevitable moment my end happens, but my heart stutters when Queen Krosia hisses, “Stop! All right.”

I’m not breathing. I’m not sure if it’s because of the shadow constricting me, or if it’s simply because of my suffocating fear.

“What did you say?” Blake snarls, her voice so low I almost don’t hear it.

I pry my eyes open to see Queen Krosia lick her lips nervously. “This realm needs me,” the shadow queen concedes. “I suppose there may be an agreement we could reach.”

Blissful air flows back into my lungs as the queen’s shadow loosens just a little, and I cough and splutter, feeling like I’ve been stuck under water for too long.

“Speak then,” Blake snaps.

Queen Krosia swallows. “There may come a time when we need the assistance of the other realms to fight this war. It was an idea rejected by your father long ago, but the Xalgrith are strengthening their numbers, and we could use the support. Your voice would hold weight with the royals of the other realms, and while your warriors aren’t as equipped to fight the Xalgrith, they could still be useful.”

I can tell Blake is surprised, and I understand her resistance. She’s not afraid to fight, but she’s reluctant to force her soldiers back into another war, so soon after all they’ve endured with the witches. She likely never truly believed that simply trying to save my life would end in another war.

Oops.

“Your…friend would, however, be confined to the grounds of Shadowbone Academy. I am not willing to grant her immortality and allow her to become more of a threat, but I suppose provided she stays within that barrier, our deal would stand and she can live.”

“You mean as a prisoner,” Blake says.

The queen shrugs nonchalantly. “I have a duty to this realm and the war. I can’t have her traipsing around the shadow realm. This is the only way she stays breathing.”