Royal House of Shadows: Part 12 of 12

By Nalini Singh

Originally published as Lord of the Abyss.

Part 12 of 12 in the Royal House of Shadows serialization. All 12 parts were previously published as full books:• Lord of the Vampires by Gena Showalter (Parts 1—3 of Royal House of Shadows)
• Lord of Rage by Jill Monroe (Parts 4—6 of Royal House of Shadows)
• Lord of the Wolfyn by Jessica Andersen (Parts 7—9 of Royal House of Shadows)
• Lord of the Abyss by Nalini Singh (Parts 10—12 of Royal House of Shadows)

The battle for Elden

The Blood Sorcerer has unleashed his most powerful army onhis daughter and her prince, hoping to stop them before they reach Elden. But his planfails, and Micah finally recovers the memories that reveal his destiny. Even if heprevails in the ultimate battle, it will take the combined power of his brothers andsister—Nicolai, Dayn, and Breena—to save Liliana. As they battle for the kingdom stolenfrom their parents, the princes and princess of Elden fight for everyone they love. Whatdoes the future hold for them and their realm?

This installment is approximately 25K words

• Language: English
• Publisher: Harlequin Nocturne
• Release date: Oct 12, 2016
• ISBN: 9781488025105

Nalini Singh

Die internationale Bestsellerautorin verbrachte ihre Kindheit in Neuseeland. Drei Jahre lebte und arbeitete sie unter anderem in Japan und bereiste in dieser Zeit wiederholt den Fernen Osten. Bislang hat sie als Anwältin, Bibliothekarin, in einer Süßwarenfabrik und in einer Bank gearbeitet -- eine Quelle von Erfahrungen, aus der Nalini Singh reichlich schöpft.

Book preview

The Blood Sorcerer has sent his army of Arachdem. The giant spiders are his strongest—and undefeated—weapon. They have their sights set on Micah, but they’ve never met an enemy like the Guardian of the Abyss. This is his land. They are trespassers. Will their dark blood magic be enough to kill Micah and Liliana? Bring it on...

Chapter 19

He didn’t flinch. You trespass, he said, his voice amplified a thousand times over. Turn back before you fall into the Abyss.

A high keening sound was his only answer, an unintelligible noise from minds that knew nothing but destruction and pain. The Arachdem didn’t only kill; they ate the bodies of their victims until not even the slightest sliver of bone remained. But they weren’t scavengers. No, the Arachdem were hunters, eating anything living in their path. They didn’t mind if it was still screaming as it went in.

He didn’t know how he knew that, but he had no doubt of its truth.

Now, their heads lowered and they resumed their relentless march. At this pace, they would hit the perimeter of the village in an hour. Narrowing his eyes, Micah flew back toward the Black Castle, speaking on channels of magic that were of the Guardian as he did so, commanding the land to awaken and protect itself.

The rise to consciousness of that land was a languid stretch at the back of his mind, a near-sentient presence that said, ???

Trespassers, he said. Those who should not be.

!!!

Below him, the ground began to roll and ripple, cracking open to expose huge chasms filled with noxious gases and ropes of liquid magma. Shrill screams pierced the air at his back and he knew some of the Arachdem had fallen prey. Still more fell when the land rose up into mountains, then crashed down on the invading army.

But the Arachdem were creatures of blood magic, and they had their defenses. They stabbed the earth with poisons enhanced with sorcery, tainting its strength. It cried in Micah’s mind, and he told it to rest, to hide, to regroup. It had done enough, for when he circled back, the army had been cut in half, the formation straggling and broken, the bridge of bodies having sunk too deep for the survivors to cross the lava pools.

The Arachdem would recover, but the earth’s rebellion had brought Micah and his people more time. At least another hour, perhaps even two. It would have to be enough. Diving through the clouds, he made his way back to the castle, where Bard had formed the able-bodied into a last line of defense, their backs to the castle walls.

A small group of men, however, stood apart, on top of the battlements. If Micah fell, they would lower the final gate, sealing the Black Castle from intruders. The defenders had orders to run inside, but some would inevitably be left behind, prey to the Arachdem. It wasn’t an outcome Micah would permit.

Landing beside Bard and Liliana, he said, Send them all through the gates.

They want, Bard boomed, to fight. To protect.

But Liliana was nodding. They possess no offensive magics and thus stand no chance against the Arachdem. A pause. Though if Micah were my father, he’d send those men out in front—the Arachdem slow when they are feeding.

Your father doesn’t sound like a good man, Liliana. Micah couldn’t imagine such a man having fathered someone like his storyteller—who cried because she’d torn her red dress and kissed him so sweet and tender.

No. A choked laugh. He isn’t.

Bard. Micah nodded. Lead them inside. Tell them they must save the castle from falling, for if it falls, all is lost. The truth was, if the Arachdem reached the castle, it meant Micah was dead, at which point the defenses of the Black Castle would engage on their own. Those defenses were impressive—a shield of black nothing could penetrate—but it took the death of a Guardian to raise them.

However, every man had his pride, needed to know that he could protect his home and his family, and so Micah said this thing that Bard’s eyes told him wasn’t the truth. They must, he said to the big man.

Bard finally rumbled his acquiescence and began to head back, but Micah stopped him. Do not return, Bard.

A silent look that made the air go still.

You cannot. He held the man’s intelligent, scholarly eyes. If I fall, the next lord will need your guidance.

Bard’s expression filled with defiance, but Micah shook his head and, at long last, Bard nodded. His footsteps thundered on the earth, followed minutes later by the sonorous echo of his voice as he gave the villagers their new orders. There were raised shouts, resistance, but Bard was a general. He got what he wanted.

Soon, only Micah and Liliana stood on the edge of the village, the Black Castle looming beyond the Whispering Forest. If I order you to leave, Micah said, knowing she wouldn’t go, not his brave Liliana, but needing to protect her, what will you do?

Hit you with a stick. She followed her words with a gentle Liliana kiss. I stand with you, Micah.

So soft was his Lily. But that didn’t mean she wasn’t strong. He didn’t attempt to send her to safety again. They haven’t lowered the final gate, he said, having risen into the air to check.

Of course not. They’ll wait until the last possible moment, until they’re certain we won’t make it.

Do you believe we won’t?

Never. Her voice was fierce. You carry the heart of a kingdom, Micah. This will not defeat you.

He didn’t understand her words, though they nudged awake that violent pain in his head once more, stabbing and jabbing. Your blood is strong, he said, shoving away the excruciating sensation.

Not as strong as his.

I give you mine freely. He curved his hand around her nape. If the time comes, take it and use it to protect my people, my realm.

Her changeable storm-sky eyes filled with power compelling and haunting. "Whatever happens, you must return. Do you understand?"

He assumed she spoke of the Black Castle, and so he nodded.

Liliana’s expression changed to one he couldn’t read. Micah, I have something to tell you. I thought to do it this morning, but—

After, Lily, he interrupted. I sense them closing in. It’s time.

Wait! Grabbing his arm when he would’ve lifted it to call upon the dark strength of the Abyss, she rose on tiptoe to press her lips to his own.

Not at all averse to this, he reached down to squeeze her bottom. Gasping, she broke the contact. You’re not supposed to do that when I give you a kiss on the eve of battle.

He squeezed again, pulling her into a deliciously deep and wet kiss. More later. With that, he released her and threw his arms wide in a call to power.

Awaken. Arise. Defend.

Again, the earth trembled, but this time, it was not to act against the menace, but to disgorge the inhabitants of this realm that lived in layers deep underground. The kitchari were large sluglike creatures, pale, heavy and slow, their many eyes milk-white with blindness, their legs clawed and stumpy, their mouths wide maws filled with sharp teeth that constantly shifted. Making an eerie screeching sound, the lumbering creatures heaved themselves up onto the ground, their bodies gleaming in the red light that was the sky.

They’re so slow, Liliana said in horror. They’ll be slaughtered.

Smiling, he called a second time. Fly. Fly and protect.

A rush of air pushing back his hair and then the sky filled with another kind of darkness. Huge black birds with serrated beaks and clawed wings squawked and screamed their way into battle.

At the