Sin in His Shadow” Book One

Chapter 29 – Crown of Ash

The flames were gone.

The screams were echoes.

The war, for now, was over.

Lucien woke in silk sheets that smelled of smoke and gunpowder.

And Zarek.

He turned his head—and there he was.

Zarek Velenza. Shirtless, scarred, bruised, alive.

Sitting in an armchair by the window, staring at the city like a king on a throne of ghosts.

“You didn’t leave,” Lucien whispered.

Zarek’s gaze cut to him—dark, heavy, hungry.

“I told you,” he said softly.

“If I lose you, I lose everything.”

Lucien slid out of bed, bare feet padding across the marble floor. He stopped in front of him, knees brushing his thighs.

“You didn’t lose me,” he murmured. “You never will.”

Zarek reached for him, pulling him into his lap, his hands gripping like chains.

“I killed for you,” he said, voice rough. “I’ll k