Page 6 of A Bond So Deadly

“And her mates?” Blake asks, somehow knowing what I was thinking.

“What about them?”

“You must allow her mates to stay with her,” Blake says.

Queen Krosia narrows her eyes. “Now that I cannot do. If she stays at the academy, she must be kept away from them.”

I let out a distressed noise, and Raith curses. Knox and the others remain silent, listening intently as the conversation plays out.

“I think you’re forgetting I’m the one holding the blade,” Blake says coldly. “You said yourself, Shade won’t be immortal, so where is the harm? Command your warriors not to bond with her. And if they do, then the deal will be broken.”

Queen Krosia’s top lip curls. “Fine. Your friend will be confined to Shadowbone Academy and her mates will be allowed to see her, but if any of these terms are violated, her execution will be swift, and if there is retaliation from you, it will be known throughout the realms that the demon queen couldn’t uphold her agreement.”

Blake stares Queen Krosia down, despite being shorter than the shadow queen. My heart thrums, even though I know I’m being selfish to hope. This isn’t fair to the demons. Despite the guilt that winds through me, I’m relieved when Blake nods.

“Oh, and if she’s going to stay, then she may as well be useful,” Queen Krosia adds.

Blake frowns. “Useful, how?”

“We’ve recently discovered this Shade of yours has a particular gift with languages. She will be required to utilize this gift for the good of the war,” Queen Krosia says. Then, noticing Blake’s scrutiny, she adds, “Still within the safety of the walls of Shadowbone Academy, of course. I trust that since she has no desire to make us lose the war, she’ll be happy to aid us instead.”

Blake pauses, her mind working as she peers at me. I give her a nod. It’s likely that the shadow queen wants to use me to speak to the zenali. I can do that, and it may help if I’m showing an effort to aid in the war rather than against it.

“Fine,” Blake says.

“Then it’s agreed,” Queen Krosia practically purrs. I doubt this was her plan in the beginning, but it’s clear she’s happy with how this has played out.

Blake leans in close, getting into Queen Krosia’s face. “But I think I’ll hold onto this,” she says as she pulls the jeweled dagger away. “Just in case I discover you don’t uphold your part of the deal.”

The shadow queen gives her a withering glare. “Oh, not to worry. I shall give you no reason to use it.” With a tight smile and a wave of her hand, Queen Krosia’s shadow releases me completely, and I sag on Bonfang’s back. Raith immediately grabs me, and my mates fuss over me.

“Good,” Blake says, taking a step back as she slides the dagger into its sheath. “I’m glad we have an understanding.”

Chapter Three

~ Shade ~

Regaining her composure, Queen Krosia turns to address the shadow warriors outside the amphitheater. She lifts her sword into the air, and shadows crawl over her blade.

“Warriors of Kiru,” she calls out, projecting her voice toward the ranks of soldiers. The demons pay attention too, listening to the words of the shadow queen. “While their appearance was most unexpected, let us celebrate our newly formed alliance with Queen Blake and the kings from Seral! Let this be the start of a strong friendship with the demons, and one that will finally see us defeating the Xalgrith once and for all!”

Beats of silence follow her statement, but then a few shadow warriors begin to cheer. The applause spreads like wildfire, and soon the entire shadow army is cheering at the news. The demons watch on silently, and I remain quiet like my mates.

Germain is grinning like an idiot, but I guess considering he just avoided death, it makes sense.

I’m surprised the shadow warriors are so quick to celebrate this new alliance, but then I spot the relief on a few of the closest faces. I can’t tell if the warriors are just glad they don’t have to fight Blake and the demons, or if they genuinely believe Blake and the demon army will be able to help them end the war. Both, probably.

When the applause dies down, Queen Krosia flicks her hand, and her shadows fly toward the holding cell where the students have been locked away during the battle. The steel gates open, and the students stream out, moving onto the sand. Kenzie’s gaze connects with mine, and for a moment, I think she’s going to race over to me, but she doesn’t. Instead, she stands dutifully with the other students as they gather, and the queen assesses them with her shrewd gaze.

“But I suppose we should address the reason why we’re all here in the first place,” the shadow queen goes on, talking like the graduation games were never interrupted. “To determine those who have earned their right to graduate and, in doing so, have earned their immortality. Our next batch of warriors!”

Nate stares at the students who are grouped together. Most of them are bleeding from various wounds and scratches, and some are even cradling broken bones. After a quick assessment, the jaguar shifter lets out a low whistle under his breath. “Fuck. Did she just say these are their newest recruits? No wonder they need our help.”

Clearly offended, Professor Lankin glares at him, and Callan clears his throat, jabbing Nate hard in the ribs with the tip of his wing.

Nate coughs and lifts a hand in a placating gesture. “Sorry,” he tells Professor Lankin and gives her a thumbs up. “I mean, they look promisin’. Won’t at all die within the first few seconds on a battlefield.”

Professor Lankin sniffs and looks away, and Blake’s lips twitch as she shakes her head at her mate. I would also be offended on behalf of my classmates, except I have to admit they do look like they’ve been through hell and back. They don’t exactly seem like they’re ready to take on Xalgrith monsters, or you know, anyone really.