by Bec McMaster
I don’t cry. I hate crying.
But for some reason, my eyes grow hot.
And then he’s cursing under his breath and snatching me into his arms.
“This is where you belong, Vi.” A kiss to my temples. He squeezes me so tightly I could swear he’ll never let me go. “I know this is still new to you, but I waited centuries for you. I’m not about to turn away from you just because you bound yourself to the Mother of Night. You used her to break the curse and gain power. I can continue to be furious about that, or… we use it to protect you. Besides”—he lifts my chin and brushes my lip with his thumb—“you still owe me a kiss. Three, if I’m counting correctly.”
“You’re going to hold me to that?”
“Always.”
I capture his face in both hands and claim his mouth with a desperation born of fear. He’s not going to turn away from me. One kiss. Two. I paint them all over his mouth.
“I promise I will never hurt you,” I whisper. “I’ll never make a pact with the Old Ones again. We’ll find the Crown of Shadows and give it to that bitch, and then forget all about her.”
His eyes are stormy seas as he holds my wrists. “It’s not that easy, Vi. The Crown of Shadows was lost to mortal memory. No one has seen it since before the wars.”
“We’ve faced impossible odds before.”
Mortal memory. Not immortal. It’s a key distinction.
I just need to think.
“And if we do find it, then giving it to the Mother is dangerous,” he says. “As far as I know, it was used only as a conduit for a fae to access the Old One’s powers, but if she wants it, then she thinks she can use it for more. I’ll stake my entire kingdom on it.”
“No more gambling with kingdoms, please. Or your life.”
The faintest of smiles touches his mouth. “No more making deals with Old Ones.”
“Done. Done. Done. I promise thrice.”
“Then done,” he whispers, resting his forehead against mine. “Done. Done. I promise thrice.”
Finn clears his throat behind us. “As lovely as it is to see the pair of you back where you both belong, we may have to start moving. The Hallow’s not safe. It could spit anyone into our midst right now.”
Thiago’s face goes hard. “You’re right. Let’s go home.” He takes my hand and starts leading me toward the ruined castle in Valerian.
“And then?” Finn asks.
“Prepare for war. Adaia made her move. Now it’s time to make ours.”
BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE DARK COURT RISING WORLD
Dear Reader,
Thank you so much for reading! If you enjoyed Promise of Darkness, then get ready for Crown of Darkness, available in 2020.
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I hope we meet again between the pages of another book!
Cheers,
Bec McMaster
About the Author
BEC MCMASTER is a writer, a dreamer, and a travel addict. If she’s not sitting in front of the computer, she’s probably plotting her next overseas trip, and hopes to see the whole world, whether it’s by paper, plane, or imagination.
Bec grew up on a steady diet of ’80s fantasy movies like Ladyhawke, Labyrinth, and The Princess Bride, and loves creating epic, fantasy-based romances with heroes and heroines who must defeat all the odds to have their HEA. She lives in Australia with her very own hero, where she can be found creating fantasy-fueled worlds, where even the darkest hero can find love.
Read more at www.becmcmaster.com
Also by Bec McMaster
DARK COURT RISING
A new fantasy series with a fairytale twist, inspired by the Hades and Persephone myth.
Promise of Darkness
(coming September 2019)
LONDON STEAMPUNK SERIES
Kiss Of Steel
Heart Of Iron
My Lady Quicksilver
Forged By Desire
Of Silk And Steam
Novellas in same series:
Tarnished Knight
The Clockwork Menace
LONDON STEAMPUNK: THE BLUE BLOOD CONSPIRACY
Mission: Improper
The Mech Who Loved Me
You Only Love Twice
To Catch A Rogue
Dukes Are Forever
DARK ARTS SERIES
Shadowbound
Hexbound
Soulbound
BURNED LANDS SERIES
Nobody's Hero
The Last True Hero
The Hero Within
LEGENDS OF THE STORM SERIES
Heart Of Fire
Storm of Desire
Clash of Storms
Storm of Fury (coming 2020)
SHORT STORIES
The Many Lives Of Hadley Monroe
Burn Bright
