“I’ll tell them what happened,” Kassandra said. “That Jonas killed the guard and attacked Nikki, and that Michael saved everyone.”
“That’s exactly what did happen,” I said.
“Yeah.” She blinked rapidly. “Wow! That was so freaking awesome. I can’t believe I ever thought this place was boring. What a rush!”
The elevator opened up to the lobby level, and we ran across the marble floor.
“You okay?” I finally asked Michael, breathlessly.
“Yeah, I think so. You?”
“I’m feeling a bit drained,” I admitted. “It’s been one of those days.”
“Wait.” He grabbed my arm.
Elizabeth stood in front of the doors with her hands on her hips, blocking our way.
“Kieran is looking for you,” she said, and her eyes moved to Michael. “He wanted me to keep watch here in case you tried to escape.”
Michael and I exchanged a glance. I clenched my hands at my sides. I felt exhausted and more than ready for a weeklong nap to recover my energy, but I summoned what little power I had left.
“I suggest you get out of our way,” I warned.
“Or what?”
“Or you’ll be sorry.”
Elizabeth’s lips curled at the sides. “You do remind me of myself, Nikki. There is a definite family resemblance.”
“She’s nothing like you,” Michael growled.
Her smile grew. “Oh no? Willing to do anything for love, even if it gets her in terrible trouble?” She blinked, and pain shadowed her expression. “Real love means breaking the rules others have for us; rules we have for ourselves. I felt that way for Kieran, but … I don’t think he loves me anymore. Even after everything I’ve sacrificed for him.”
“He can’t stand the sight of you,” Kassandra confirmed. “No offense intended, of course.”
Elizabeth’s pained look deepened. “Is that true?”
Kassandra nodded and shrugged. “Sorry.”
Elizabeth’s face crumpled, and tears welled in her eyes. “I knew it.”
“He’s not worth it,” I told her. “Even you could do better than him, and that’s saying something.”
She looked at me. “Because of Kieran, I’ve done many things I’ve come to regret. Things I can never take back. All to earn his love.” She let out a shuddery sigh and regarded me for a long moment. “Go, Niece. I won’t try to stop you. This will be one small step on the path of rebuilding our trust.”
She stepped away from the door.
“I just have to ask one thing,” I said. “Did you sic that hellhound on me?”
“Hmm.” She crossed her arms and pressed her lips together. “Perhaps this path of rebuilding trust will be a long one.”
I glared at her. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
Michael grabbed my hand. He gave Elizabeth a withering glare as we passed by her toward the glass doors. “Come near the princess again at your own peril.”
She staggered back a step. Whatever she’d just seen in his eyes had scared her deeply.
Kieran was going to be furious. But I had to admit, it was a nice way for Elizabeth to show him he didn’t have power over her any longer. It didn’t help me forgive her for what she’d done to me and my father, or for siccing the hellhound on me. Not in the slightest.
Michael was so strong and full of energy from draining the other Shadow that I felt the magic coming off his skin in waves. His hand was almost too hot to hold.
I wasn’t feeling quite as perky at the moment, to say the least. But we made it to the waiting gateway a few blocks away in minutes.
Kassandra hugged me. “Nikki, it was
She was still clueless, even after everything that had happened. To her, it had just been an exciting experience that had all worked out okay.
To me, it had been two — no, make that
“Yeah,” I said, deciding it was much easier to play along. “I, uh … feel the same. Other than the fact your brother and his dog nearly killed me.”
“My mother will be soooo mad when she hears what Kieran tried to do. Especially after she promised you’d be safe. He doesn’t normally get in trouble for anything, but he’ll get it for this.”
“Listen, Kieran told me the prophecy was a lie. He was blackmailing the dragon oracle to get it.”
She nodded. “I knew it!”
“You did?”
“Well, no, but after meeting you, I can’t imagine you’re ready to destroy the world. You’re way too nice. I’ll tell my mother that as well. She is going to be so mad at Kieran. Hooray!”
“Well, good.”
Michael tugged at my hand. “I knew the prophecy was a lie.”
I grinned weakly. “Even you had doubts.”
“Maybe a couple.”
Kassandra glanced at my wrist. “You’re sure about not letting me trade you for that bracelet? I have a really gorgeous diamond tiara—”
“Sounds good,” I said quickly, “but, no, thank you.”
She pouted. “Fine, be that way.” Her attention moved to Michael. “I did have you officially pardoned, but it would probably be best if you don’t come back here for a while, just to be safe.”
“Trust me, that won’t be a problem.”
“Now go. And take care of each other, okay?”
I gave one last nod to the only other demon princess I’d ever met, and then Michael and I went through the gateway hand in hand.
A few moments later we were back in the Shadowlands castle. After all the gold, silver, and glass of the Underworld, the unfriendly stone walls and dark interior were a strange relief. I turned to look at Michael.
“We made it,” I said.
“We did.”
Then he kissed me so passionately it took my breath away. He held his hand over his amulet so it wouldn’t electrocute me, which I totally appreciated.
I smiled up at him when we parted. “What was that for?”
“Thanks for rescuing me from the dungeon.”
“Well, you rescued me right back. Actually,
“I … I can’t believe that happened. The hellhound, the … the Shadow.” He sighed. “And I really believed Kassandra when she said you were giving me to her.”
“It wasn’t true. Of course it wasn’t true.”
“I know that now.” His expression grew haunted. “I’ve never met another Shadow before.”
“And now you have.” I pressed my palm against his chest, just shy of touching the green stone amulet that blazed with power. “What you did to him—”
“Had to be done,” he said, cutting me off. “He was trying to hurt you. I couldn’t let that happen.”
“So you weren’t tempted, even a little, to join his rebellion against demons?”
“I know right from wrong, and what Jonas was doing — hurting others on his path to change — was wrong.”
“He killed Rhys’s parents.”
“I know.” Michael’s eyes flashed. “He was too dangerous. I don’t think change has to be achieved by hurting or killing others. Self-defense, however, is another matter.”
I threaded my fingers through his dark hair. “I totally agree.” I kissed him again and felt him smile against my
