Vow of the Shadow King (Bride of the Shadow King, #2)

by Sylvia Mercedes

For all those who ever wondered . . . You are worthy. You are loved. You are enough.

Gods above, who knew I possessed such wellsprings of defiance? I’ve always been the demure, shrinking, people-pleasing, disappointing princess. Perhaps this is what multiple near-death experiences in quick succession will bring out in a person.

I was the thief in the night, taking from him that which was not mine. Something sacred. Something which I rendered profane.

grief is such a wild, untamed creature, always returning at the most unexpected times to bite.

Let this not be her end! If I must die, so be it. Let my bones be smashed to dust. Only let my body shield her from this fate. Let her live. Let her be spared.

What kind of monster asks after its prey’s wellbeing after nearly tearing out its throat?

The eldest daughter, but the second choice.

And yet I’ve always known that with Vor, I was never second. He would have chosen me first had the choice been his all along.

How am I to protect myself from this need? I crave her presence like I crave air in my lungs.

If the dark must devour me, so be it. Better to die in search of answers.

Vor. Vor is the missing part. My soul knew it from the moment I first heard his voice in my ear. It was as though I recognized him from some existence beyond time and space where we have always been inextricably linked. I am his just as he is mine.

I’ve always had to be so guarded. It’s the only way I’ve survived against the storms that assail my senses every hour of every day. I’d never known it was possible to let my defenses down so completely, to give myself over to someone else like this. Who knew surrender could be so exquisite?

But we are not destined for one another. Fate or the gods or both have conspired against us. The price has now come due on those beautiful moments we so joyfully took—a price neither of us is prepared to pay.

I love you, Vor. I will always love you. Wherever I go, I carry my love for you with me. But now you must let me go. Let me go, Vor.

Am I willing to risk all hope of heaven for Vor?

I won’t go another moment without you knowing the truth: You are my heart. My soul. My wife. From this day until my last, I am yours and no other’s. Whether you come back to me now or not, it makes no difference. I give you everything, everything.”

Then and there, with her kiss burning my lips I make a solemn vow: to be worthy of that choice. To be worthy of her love. To be worthy of her. My angel. My queen. My wife.