Page 95 of Cursed By the Dawn

“I am as eager to deliver the world from Raelion’s evil rule as you are,” Silas said, placing his hand over his heart. “In this you have my eternal devotion.”

Erebus’s gaze raked over Silas from toe to brow. “But why would an esteemed commander from the Light Legion wish death upon his king?” Erebus challenged darkly. “You had no qualms about him killing an entire squadron during that fight in my tomb. Where was your noble heart then?”

Silas shook his head adamantly. “I was a weaker man then. I wanted, more than anything, to keep living. And to keep believing in Mithras. I valued my life above honor, bravery, and human decency. Even if it meant becoming the confidant of a devil.”

Erebus scoffed. “And now that your devil is poised to destroy the very balance of our world, you wish to side with us? It sounds like you’re merely choosing the side that will result in youbreathing.”

“He has proven his worth, Erebus. And he has vowed to ensure the safety of your brother, Esmer.” Theia added softly, “Silas was frantic when you escaped your room, Shadow Weavers. But I knew you were merely off to gather the rest of us.” She smiled, the expression serene and full of light. “How fortuitous that I was right.”

“Rest. Feast,” Silas offered warmly, motioning at the spread in front of us. “And when you are finished, there is one final labor Esmer and Erebus must do.”

“What is it?” I asked, trying to be brave. Maker knew how long I had before Raelion sank his teeth in me, bidding me to do his will. “I’ll do anything.”

“We need you to dream,” Theia said seriously, motioning toward the canopied bed in the corner of the sprawling room. My heart sank.Dream?“The Weavers’ escape from the Dream Realm will have made Raelion furious. You must try to access your domain one final time, gathering however many allies you can, and call upon Mithras.”

“To kill him?” I asked.

“No,” she whispered, eyes burning with sudden ferocity. “To beg him to relent.”

I tucked my head under Erebus’s chin, holding in an audible sigh when he wrapped his arms around my back. The rest of the Weavers were still enjoying the last dregs of food and wine, trading old stories among themselves on the other side of the room. Erebus and I had moved to the bed, drawing the canopy across its frame for privacy.

One final dream.

One final dream to force Mithras’s mercy and determine how we might kill Raelion for good.

Erebus smelled of rich, roiling darkness. Something masculine—and something freeing.

A scent that was perfectly him.

His chest rose and fell as he threaded his fingers through my hair, falling into a slow, melodic rhythm as he held me. Maker knew why I’d resisted his pull for as long as I had. We were made for each other.

But why is everything I love always taken away from me?

I turned around, squeezing the silk sheets with all my strength. Everything in Citadel Firstlight was either white or gold. Our silk sheets were white, the canopied four-poster bed a triumph of gold filigree, and our golden bedclothes, given to us by Silas, made us look like shadows trying to drape themselves in sunlight. In the dim candlelight, all the gold had reflected deep within Erebus’s eyes, appearing almost red.

I squeezed harder.

“Close your eyes, Esmer,” Erebus encouraged, his breath tickling my neck. “Unless you’re trying to dream with your eyes open.”

I took a deep, shuddering breath.

“Help me. Please.”

Gently, ever so gently, he slid his long fingers across my brow, urging my eyelids down. I tried to relax. Truly, I did. I tried relishing the weight of his hand on my face, how his thumb slowly stroked my temple, eager to shatter my dark thoughts. But soon a lump rose in my throat.

My eyes popped open.

Erebus made a perplexed sound, removing his hand.

“Let me go alone,” he offered seriously. “You’ve been through so much—”

“You’vebeen through so much,” I corrected. I swallowed hard, unable to look at him. “If anyone should be going alone, it’s me.”

I was the one who damned Ceveon, Sorren, and our legionnaires to their grisly fate. It should be me who faced their judgment.

If they’re even still alive.

“We’ve been over this before,” he said, his tone brimming with equal parts frustration and tenderness. He coaxed me into his chest, wrapping his powerful arms around my waist. “I am in love with you, Esmer. If we were separated again, I could not bear it. I will be with you until the bitter end.” He paused, making a soft, vexed sound. “I wish I could more eloquently tell you my heart. If you could see inside my chest, my veins—if you could peer inside the shadows that have become me—you’d see yourself everywhere.”