What Lies Within Masks & Shadows (Promises of the Marked, #1)

by Nicolle May

Only … her shackles were as illusioned as the finery she wore. And Kaine would learn something very critical, very soon. Caging an animal only fueled its ambition to escape. And he left the doors unlocked, wide open, envisioning nothing but his cruel voice to seal her in.

She was not the darkness she endured. She was the fire.

“Careful, darling, the darkness”—fingers danced in the air, spreading the whorling shadows around them—“betrays you. They are servants to me. Did you truly believe you could escape the Lord of Darkness? You cannot run from me.”

“Begging does not convince me. You will never beg me.”

Father, High Fae. Mother, human. Made for interesting family reunions. Zero out of ten. Would not recommend.

“Perhaps I should have left you to die in Telldaira.” “Maybe you should’ve. It would be better than spending another second waiting for someone else to determine my fate while I’m left here powerless.”

“Kick, shout, and curse as much as you wish, but power will not permit you to use more than it will allow.” He placed the iron in the center of the table. “It needs to know we are worthy enough to unleash it. To even protect it. We must strive for its blessing—to trust us. Practice, make it and us stronger, together. Stand with reverence. Humble yourself before it. And thank it every time magic works in our favor.”

In all honesty, she’d never owned something quite as exquisite. Something that was just hers. A perfect reflection of her own self. A deadly weapon with missing pieces.

up dead

The High Prince may be Death itself, but Thalon … He executed justice, carrying an ancient wrath onto battlefields. The kind of warrior who would slaughter ten thousand and then grieve their souls after. A solid killer of strength and ruin on the outside and a kind-hearted, protective soul within.

Alora leaned back onto her palms, not daring to watch. “I got my ass kicked. Horribly.” “Yet, you did not yield.” He dropped to one knee and grabbed bandages from the satchel. “The courage to fight in the face of death is rare.”

Because being broken like this, being silent about her past and letting Kaine beat not only her body, but allowing him to linger in her mind, was incredibly exhausting.

You are a survivor. You are not the pain you have suffered.” Alora felt the stirring of hope. “You are sunstorms and starfire. Refuse to surrender.”

The Lord of Darkness? his voice groaned, musical and breathy and far too dangerous, infiltrating her in teasing waves. Be careful how you think, clever girl. You might lure a starving beast. Every female needs her own villain, and I promise you, you do not want me as yours.

“Darkness and shadows are guardians.” Tendrils danced around his fingers. “You should not be afraid of the shadows, but hear me when I say, be mindful of the light. That is where real monsters hide.”

Fear not the path ahead, for you are not alone. The sun brings you a new day, and He and His stars are with you on your worst. And if by Destiny, the stars fail you, shadow will follow. I will follow. Even in the end of days, you will never be truly alone, Alora. You are safe. You are protected.”

You would go to the beast in the mountain? If you’re trying to keep someone out, what better place to make your entrance? Make it appear as the last place you’d go. You are not afraid of what lies within the darkness? I’ve lived my entire life in darkness. It doesn’t scare me anymore.

“Remember who wears the crimson cloak.” A ruthless breeze tore through the masses, collecting the fabric of Alora’s cloak and snapping it in the wind. “And it is not you.” Not Haiden. Not another general. Not any mere soldier there. Not even the High Prince himself. Perhaps a threat to all else, but never to Alora.

“Insult what is mine again and find that my knowledge of pain far exceeds the control of shadow. They will grant you mercy. I will not.”

“I would take no pleasure in your death. I believe I have made that perfectly clear. But make no mistake, clever girl, this is no fairytale. Do not expect me to be a hero. I am the villain, and you won’t like who I was made to be.

And Alora couldn’t bear it. Couldn’t bear the thought—the question—who kept him safe? Garrik went still when her fingers lightly brushed his chin. Look at me. Come on, just look at me, she thought, needing to see his eyes.

Kneeling. Waiting … as long as he was in there, she would stay.

She couldn’t see him, but knew he was there. If you can hear me … I’m right here.

“I know how you’re feeling. But our High Prince has given an order, and we must follow it. Garrik knows far more than we ever will. To go against him could prove catastrophic to the future of Elysian.” “And what of his future? Who’s going to protect him?” The words sounded like someone else shrieking them, not her.

A free Elysian required their sacrifice until their dying breaths. Until Magnelis was in a grave. Only then could they collapse and shatter and break.

He hadn’t answered her, leaving a burning, aching hole in her heart. Her problems were always her own, too.

“Don’t forget. You’ve survived every nightmare so far, real and those that torment you. Don’t let them win.”

“You are”—tears lined Alora’s eyes—“braver than you think. Stronger than you yet know”—her lips quivered—“because of what you’ve endured. Fight. Live.”

The darkness felt … wrong. As if even its comfort wasn’t offered as she stood there. As if it knew and decided she was no longer worthy of its relief. She was wrong to have said those things to him, and they knew. They all knew.

Turning to Kaine, Garrik towered over him, his voice a thing of death. “Get on your fucking knees before your queen.”

I have replaced what you broke with something far greater.

You wanted me to submit to your every whim, but I will no longer kneel. You kneel to me, now. Your eyes don’t deserve to look upon what I have become.”

I’m not the worthlessness you made me feel. I’m fucking fire and you’re the ash beneath my feet, blowing away on a smoke-covered wind to the depths of your own miserable and pathetic life.”

Just because you survived does not mean you stepped over a line of hurting and into being instantly healed.” “But I thought I was better. I thought I was healing.” “Progress is not linear, Alora. You can survive months without your pain, only to fall and shatter a moment later.

“We take it one day at a time, like all things. And if you ever desire to go back to that place, you need only ask. Until then, I think it is time you learned to protect your mind from unwanted intrusions. Even mine.”

Then, his voice went soft and low. In a way that longed to mask the words spoken but desperately pleaded to uncage them. “I crave death like a dying animal craves the life that is fading.”

You’re not a monster for what you’re forced to do. I see it in your eyes, High Prince. I see you.” Garrik’s eyes darkened as he meant to pull his head away when she held strong. “You hear me? I see you. Not whatever happened to you. Not what the stories say. Not what she did to you. Elysian will know who you are and what you’ve done for them. We will make them understand. We will.”

Then Garrik’s shoulders fell as he whispered, “One more day.” “One more day,” she repeated.