She would make certain it did.
“And I know what I think your spies and scouts, even any prisoners you may have taken, do not, as only a handful know. And that is the location of every portal in Talamh, what worlds they open to, and how each is secured. And while I may not know all, I know many of the portals in other worlds.”
“You’ve traveled through them.”
“I have not, my lord. And though it is not permitted, my father indulged me by showing me on maps. I would be honored to do this for you if it would please you.”
“And in return?”
“In return I would see those who turned against me punished. I would enjoy, after you’ve drained the one from outside of power, when you have finished with her, putting a collar on her like this one.”
“Because she took the taoiseach from you.”
“He’s but a man, and men are easily come by. But because she took what I worked for, what I earned.” Shana held out her palm. “And I have this to remind me. She will have scars, should you grant this wish, to remind her.”
“And the taoiseach?”
Her eyebrows rose. “You would execute him if he survives the war. Keegan, his family, a public execution so all of Talamh knows who rules.”
For the first time, he smiled. “You like the taste of blood.”
“I prefer wine, but what is rule without power, what is power without force? And to hold worlds, there must be fear, and aye, there must be blood.”
“And all you want for assisting me is what’s left of the girl when I’m done with her.”
“Well now.” With a laugh, she gestured with her wine. “If you’re well pleased with me, I wouldn’t mind if you granted me a place—oh, a small one, inconsequential—where I might rule. Under your dominion, of course. Or more, if you’re very well pleased, a place to sit beside you. To lie beside you. I could give you sons, and from them, you would take what you will. Power to drink for years and years.”
“And if you displease me?”
“I don’t believe I will. My lord, all of my life I’ve wanted what I have at this moment. To sit beside a ruler of great power, of great vision, who will use it to gain more. Who will indulge my frivolous affection for lovely things. For this, I will give all I have to please you.”
“Then you’ll begin now.” He rose. “Dispense with this,” he told the silent woman before striding into the next room.
Because she enjoyed the wine, Shana took her goblet with her.
She didn’t bother to disguise the gasp at the vast bed, the towering posts of gold, but wandered past another raging fire to circle the vast room.
She could see herself—wanted to see herself—sitting at the long dressing table with its drawer knobs of diamonds as big as a baby’s fist, or lounging among the plush pillows on the settee. Standing on the terrace looking out at all she commanded—through Odran, of course. But it would be hers. She would see to it.
Whatever the cost, whatever the price, she would have this.
“Your taste is more exquisite than any. I am humbled to stand in such a room.”
“You are not humbled.”
She smiled, lowered into a curtsy. “Already you understand me. But I am honored.”
“Disrobe.”
“Myself or you?”
“Yourself.”
“Then I must ask for the assistance of a god, as I cannot unfasten the gown.”
She set the goblet down on the dressing table, walked to him, turned her back. “If you would, my lord.”
He tore it so the gown ripped in two. Shana merely stepped out of it, kicked it aside. “Such strength. It thrills me. I lack it, but if you’ll allow.” She turned to him, wearing only the underpinnings she’d selected for this exact purpose, and began to unfasten his doublet.
“I would see you, Odran, god of the dark. And though I know you can take me willing or not, I give myself to you. Now and always, as you wish.
“Ah, such beauty.” She ran her hands over his bare chest—slighter than she’d imagined, his skin smoother, but for the small scar at his heart. “Grace in strength,” she murmured as her hands traveled down to unfasten his trousers.
She found him already hard, like stone, like the marble columns, and smiled.
When she started to put her arms around him, lift her lips for his, he shoved her against the thick post of the bed, and drove into her.
Cold, cold, like a shaft of ice impaling her. Shocked, she cried out, but he battered her against the post, and for a moment, she thought she felt claws dig into her hips.