Lady of Shadows (Lady of Darkness, #2)

by Melissa K. Roehrich

Saylah. The goddess of shadows and night. The goddess who was often whispered of along with her brother, Temural, the god of wildness and untamed adventure, and their parents Arius, the god of death and darkness, and Serafina, the goddess of dreams and stars.

“True strength, Lady of Darkness, is being brave in the hard seasons. True strength is getting back up one more time. True strength is believing you were made for such a time as this and fighting against all odds. True strength is having hope even when the stars go out.”

“Get up, Lady of Darkness. Hope is for the dreamers.”

“I wish I didn’t hate you because I need you, and I can’t have you,”

“And when the storm is unending? When the waves are unrelenting?” Scarlett asked quietly. “Rage, Scarlett. Rage and scream and cry and fall apart. You are allowed to feel and do all those things, but you do not stop fighting. You do not give up. You become a bigger storm,”

All stars are born in the dark, Scarlett. The darkness allows us to see them. You decide if they are worth fighting for.”

“It is okay if some days the only thing you manage to do is survive. That is okay.”

“But on the hard days, promise me that you’ll pull me from the river.” “Always, Love,” he answered. “I promise I will always pull you from the river and help you find the stars.”

He would follow her to the farthest star.

“My home is wherever you are. If you demand I go home, I am already there. Let me in.”

“You promised you would not leave me alone in the darkness. You came for me, and I have come for you. I am yours, and you are mine. Let me in!”

“You are a Queen. You do not need permission to do anything and certainly not from a male. You make the choices that will affect you and your people, and you make them without regret. You choose, and you handle the consequences, whatever they may be. You do not look back, only forward. Now make your choice.”

“I am someone who has faced the darkness and found the beauty it had to offer. I am someone who can create stars in the void when the light has gone out. I am someone who cares for those the realms have forgotten. I am someone who can bring beauty from brutal ashes. I am a fucking Queen.”

“I will never let you go, and I will always come for you. Whether you are in the human lands, the Witch Kingdoms, or some sandy desert, I will come for you. Not because you are my queen. Not because you are my twin flame. I will always come for you because I choose you, Scarlett Monrhoe. I choose every flame, every drop of water, every shard of ice, every bit of darkness. I choose each smart ass comment and each middle finger you throw at me. I choose every way we challenge each other. I choose every night of dancing and scandalous dresses. I choose every morning of waking up next to you and watching you master your magic. I choose you, and I will always choose you. I am yours, and you are mine. In this life and every life after.”

“Scarlett, I love you like the stars love the night. All the way through the darkness,”

“I choose you, Sorin Aditya. I choose every ember and wisp of smoke. I choose every snarky comment about my cranky mood, and every teasing remark about my love of books and shoes. I choose every time you challenge me and call me on my own bullshit. I choose falling asleep next to you every night and kissing you good morning with each sunrise. I choose to follow you to the ends of this realm and every other realm known and unknown. And after we fade, I will follow you to whatever life is next. I choose you, and I will always choose you. I am yours, and you are mine. In this life and every life after.”

“I’m going to need you to use more of your big boy words, Prince.” “Fuck no.”

“They had two children, a boy and a girl, who were the prince and princess, and they loved them very much. The princess was as beautiful as the stars, and the prince was as wild as the beasts of the land.”