No teasing lurked within his eyes and she felt his sincerity as if it were her own. Though she wanted the same, she had reservations. “You hardly know me, Siban. I hardly know myself. How can you be sure that you want to be with me?”
“I have no doubts.” He ran his finger along her cheek. “We are the same, you and I. We’ve touched the darkness and survived.”
“And that’s enough to know you want me as yours?” She shifted and rolled to her back, staring at the red and gold pattern of the bed’s canopy. Maybe a bit of innocent Esmeralda still waited inside her. His words touched her and made her feel less like an outcast.
“I think it’s all we need—for now.” He plucked at the edge of the pillow sham. “What I feel for you goes beyond anything I’ve ever felt for another person.”
She turned and looked at him. “Me, too.”
“In the Shadow World you were the only thing that kept me fighting for my life. There were times I wanted to give up, but knowing all I had to do was hold on and I would see you again, got me through my darkest hours.” He trailed a finger along her upper arm, sending shivers of pleasure through her. “Even when you were a Bane, I loved you. When you helped me escape, it took all my will to leave you behind, but I knew the situation was growing dangerous for you. Too often you almost got caught healing me.” His fingers wrapped around her arm with a gentle but firm grip. “I spent the next year battling not only the nightmares, but how much I missed you. It was like part of my soul had been left in that prison. Then when I saw you that night on the ship, when you plucked Jade from the crow’s nest, I almost didn’t want to believe it was you.”
Her brow furrowed. “Why?”
His grip tightened. “I couldn’t bear the thought of thinking I’d found you only to be disappointed. It would have been like losing you all over again.”
“It was me though.” She turned to her side and twined her fingers with his. “And here we are.”
Siban exhaled. “Yes, here we are and I don’t plan on letting you go again.
More than anything she wanted to be with Siban. He understood the darkness that still affected her. She wouldn’t have to explain when she woke in a cold sweat from the nightmares. He’d loved her while she was a demon. He’d love her at her worst. “Yes, Siban, I’ll be with you.”
Chapter Six
Night had finally fallen. Folding her wings tightly against her back, Sha-hera crept from the shelter of the trees and inched toward the closest tent. Ever since Vile had banished Icarus, he’d become more secretive, less forthcoming about his plans. Long ago she’d learned to trust her instincts when it came to the powerful demon. Even though she’d served the king faithfully for millennia, her instincts screamed that events in the Shadow World were not unfolding to her advantage. With Vile’s apparent lack of action against the Bringers, she’d been forced to seek help from an outside source.
Small fires dotted the encampment and the haunting music of flutes and slow-beating drums mingled with the brisk wind rustling the leaves. She had business with the Splinters, one in particular.
Splinters were nomads, traveling in groups and stopping only long enough to bleed the locals of their gold before moving on. But to only focus on monetary gain was a great waste of their talent in Sha-hera’s opinion.
The white magic of healers paled in comparison to the force of the dark skills of the Splinters. Black magic wanted to be used. It fed on the greed of those who pursued it. The humans who shunned the dark ways in hopes of a normal life were like sheep, souls for those with less scruples and the Bane to feed on.
Sha-hera suspected those Splinters who heralded from the line of the Summoners were capable of far greater feats than just separating men from their gold. But she would not be the one to reveal that information. Their ignorance worked best for what she needed done.
She skirted the tent and slipped through the slit at the front. Fatima sat next to a sleeping child, stitching a veil onto a beaded strip of material. A single lantern burned on a low table and the smell of jasmine permeated the air. Fatima’s long auburn curls shielded her face, the gleaming locks something Sha-hera had always been envious of.
“So domestic.” Sha-hera cocked her head, a sneer pulling at her lip.
Fatima jumped, stabbing her finger with the needle, and looked up. The Splinter’s beauty irritated Sha-hera. The features were too perfect and innocent for a woman such as her. She glanced at the sleeping child and then back to Sha-hera, her large brown eyes wide. “What are you doing here?”
“We need to talk.” The demon took a step toward the pile of lush pillows. Once, her life had held such luxuries—pillows, silks, satins, and jewels. All the riches one could have ever wanted. But that was before she’d chosen to serve Vile. Sha-hera stared down at the little girl snuggled under the woven blanket. A child—another sacrifice she’d made for her king. “Have you entered Illuma Grand?”
The woman set her sewing aside and stood, wrapping her bright orange shawl more tightly around her. “I go tomorrow.” Her mouth curved in a look of disgust. “I’m to enter through his private entrance. I doubt he’ll allow me beyond his chambers.”
Sha-hera smiled. “I’m sure you’ll think of some way to persuade him.”
The Bringer fortress was impenetrable to the Bane, warded against their kind. But any human could easily breach the boundaries.
“He’s not as susceptible to my dancing as the others. What if he doesn’t grant me permission?”
“It would be a pity.” Sha-hera squatted next to the child and stroked the blanket covering her leg. “Such a pretty girl.” She let the threat hang in the air.
Fatima stiffened. “I will see it done.”
“Good.” Sha-hera’s hand lingered on the child’s leg for a second before she stood. “We must know what lies beyond the Council Chamber doors.”
“You will assure Vile that I am making progress?”
“Of course.” She would reveal the minimal truth. The Demon King’s lack of punishment toward Icarus’s treachery had been the last failure Sha-hera would endure from her king. If Vile did not wish to take this war to the Bringers, then she would do it herself. “I’m sure he’ll be pleased with your efforts.”
The woman’s stance relaxed. “Where should I meet you next?”
“Don’t vex yourself. I will find you when it suits me.” Sha-hera took a step toward her and to Fatima’s credit, she didn’t shy away. “You and I are not so different.” She ran a talon down the woman’s flawless cheek. “We are unappreciated by those we serve, but I promise I will reward you for your loyalty.” Fatima didn’t move, her face a stony mask. Sha-hera lowered her hand and looked once again at the child. “If you succeed, you and your child will have my protection and want for nothing.”
“What of Vile’s protection?”
Sha-hera repressed the urge to laugh. There was no such thing. He did as he pleased and took what he wanted. “As far as you’re concerned, we are one and the same.”
“Thank you.” The woman’s words lacked conviction.
Tired of the conversation, Sha-hera turned and walked to the slit in the tent. “You’ve done well thus far, Fatima.” She glanced over her shoulder. “See that you continue.
Not waiting for the Splinter’s reply, she slipped into the night. Though the wind swooshed through the trees, she thought she heard Fatima’s sigh of relief.
Once back in the shelter of the woods, Sha-hera stopped to contemplate her next move. Being around the Splinter dredged up memories from long ago, servicing men and gaining power the only way she knew how—with her body. Where had it gotten her? Nowhere and alone. Most of the soldiers in her succubus army had sworn loyalty to Vile, not to her. When Sha-hera wanted to continue her attacks on the Bringers, all had refused to go against Vile’s orders. They were coward. Just as much sheep as the humans.