A Shadow in the Ember

“There is no other choice. Not for you. Not now. Even if you managed to escape punishment for what happened here, I staked my claim on you in front of others. That will spread, eventually reaching the attention of the gods and other Primals. They will become curious about you. They may even believe you hold some sort of sway over me. They will use you, and whatever ways you have paid these past three years will pale in comparison to what they will do.”

“I think you’re a lot of talk. You seem to have no real interest in anything beyond touching me, no matter what you claim you do with your hand and—”

“Once you are introduced as my Consort, only the most foolish of gods would go after your family, as they would become an extension of mine.”

“So, keep that in mind the next time you doubt the realness of my interest. Because I won’t have you up against a wall. I will have you on your back, under me, and neither of us will remember our fucking names. Are we clear, liessa?”

“You are sitting next to me, gloriously naked, and I am intentionally staring.”

“As the Primal of Death, I risk destroying the mortal’s soul if they’re in my presence for any extended period of time, at least for those who have passed through judgement. That is a balance to prevent the Primal of Death from creating his or her version of life. There is no exact rule against it for gods or other mortals, but it wouldn’t be wise. Visiting loved ones who have moved on can cause both the one living and the one who has passed to become stuck—to want what neither can have, whether that be to continue seeing their loved one or to return to the living. It can even cause them to leave the Vale, and that does not end well.”

“Because now here we are. You’re in the Shadowlands. And soon, you will be known as the Consort. My enemies will become yours.”

“Only I get to determine what does and doesn’t involve me. What I do and do not do is of no concern to anyone. Not even a god.”

“There are many ways you can be taken out. Thousands. And I’m well acquainted with all of them. Your options are endless. Some painless. Some quick. This way won’t be either.”

“Killing is not something one should have little regard for. It should always affect you, no matter how many times you do it. It should always leave a mark. And if it doesn’t, then I would have grave concerns about that individual.”

“It is far easier to be lied to than it is to acknowledge that you have been lied to.”

“Death wants nothing to do with life. None of you can be surprised.”

“It’s not your palm I want wrapped around my cock right now. It’s you I want. Tight and wet and warm. And if you keep touching me like that, that’s what’s going to happen. I’m going to get inside you, and it won’t be my fingers you’ll be fucking. I think you know that.”

“Touch me, and I will break every bone in your hand. And then I will make sure the Princess has no reason to fear her wedding night or any night she is doomed to spend at your side.”

“I was…scared. I was to marry the Primal of Death. I was anxious. Of course, I felt hopeless. I felt like I had no control. But I was there. I was still there. I knew what was expected of me, and I was willing to fulfill it. You were not.”

“My apologies. I should’ve elaborated. I’m very good at pretending to enjoy things I do not, but I was not pretending when I had your tongue in my mouth.”

“To do what? Explain yourself? It is unnecessary. I know all that I need to. You were willing to do anything to save your people. I can respect that. I can also…respect how far you were willing to go to fulfill this duty of yours. But for what purpose? Love has never been on the table.”

“That what you just did is nothing short of a blessing. You’re a blessing, Sera. No matter what anyone says or believes, you are a blessing. You always have been. You need to know that.”