Court of Aether and Shadows (Crowned Monster Trilogy #1)

Prologue Shadows Of Desire

~SPARROW~

I’m here again…

The veil between worlds shimmered before me, a gossamer curtain of twilight and mist.

My heart pounded — a frantic rhythm that echoed in my ears as I stood on the precipice of madness. This was the moment of choice – the last chance to turn back, to wake up, to return to the harsh light of day and the crushing weight of reality.

But I couldn't.

Not again.

Not when he was waiting for me.

With a deep breath, I stepped through the veil.

The cool caress of shadow enveloped me, and I felt the change ripple through my body. In this realm, I was more than the broken, battered thing I was in the waking world.

I wasn’t an outcast, fighting every chance to prove my existence versus the selfish bastards who use and abuse what I offer at the grand table of survival.

Here, I was desired.

Powerful. Free.

The obsidian palace loomed before me, its spires piercing the starless sky.

Twisted vines of midnight roses climbed the walls, their petals as dark as sin and just as tempting. The air was thick with the heady scent of night-blooming flowers and something darker – the musk of ancient, primal power that made my skin tingle and my pulse quicken.

Yet, there was a glow of sweet tenderness as glowing creatures like butterflies flitted away, buzzing whimsical chimes of life that made the surrounding plants further blossom and glow in enchanting shades.

As I approached the grand doors, they swung open silently, inviting me into the depths of this beautiful nightmare. The halls were lit by floating orbs of soft, purple light that cast everything in an otherworldly glow. My bare feet made no sound on the polished black marble floor as I made my way towards the throne room.

I could feel him before I saw him.

His presence washed over me like a physical force, igniting every nerve ending and sending a shiver of anticipation down my spine. Never could I imagine such a sensation. How one’s presence can wash over you before laying sight on their mesmerizing figure.

When I entered the vast chamber, my breath caught in my throat.

He sat upon his throne of twisted bone and shadow, every inch the king of this dark realm. His skin was the color of midnight, marked with swirling patterns that seemed to move in the flickering light, and yet there were hints of human traits that didn’t ignite immediate fear through me.

The chiseled beauty of carved muscle matched his heightened broad physique further emphasizing his masculinity and strength. He’s every woman’s dream — and many men’s nightmare just from his massive size — but to me, he was so perfectly enchanting.

Massive horns curved from his temples, adorned with delicate chains of silver and onyx. But it was his eyes that captivated me most – molten gold that burned with an intensity that both thrilled and terrified me.

"Welcome back, my sweet mortal," he purred, his voice like velvet over steel. "I've been waiting for you."

I swallowed hard, trying to find my voice.

"My king," I whispered, the words both a greeting and a surrender.

He rose from his throne with fluid grace, descending the steps towards me.

Each movement was predatory, reminding me that despite his beauty, he was far from human. He was a walking threat of catastrophe, and one wrong move could prove to be my end, but I couldn’t walk away. I wouldn’t dare run when he was the way out of all this madness plaguing me.

My monster. My salvation.

"Tell me, little one," he said, circling me slowly. "What brings you back to my realm night after night? What delicious sins do you seek in the shadows?"

I closed my eyes, shivering as I felt the heat of his body behind me, so close but not quite touching. How my body hums for this overwhelming aura of power. How my soul seeks to dance with his tainted being.

We’re surely opposites, from different ends of forbidden worlds, and yet this pull of gravitational wonder makes it hard to fight against.

Magnets destined to come together…

"I seek you," I admitted, the words torn from the depths of my soul. "Only you."

His chuckle was dark and rich, sending another wave of heat through my body.

"Such honesty," he murmured, his breath hot against my ear. "It will be your undoing."

Clawed fingers trailed along my arm, leaving goosebumps in their wake.

I leaned back instinctively, my body seeking his touch even as my mind screamed at the danger. My desperate longing outweighs all the potential sin this creature could deliver in one blow. He was fire and darkness, and I knew I would gladly burn if it meant feeling the scorching heat of his desire.

"Look at how your body responds to me," he said, his hand splaying across my stomach, pulling me flush against him. "You tremble at my touch, your heart races, your breath quickens. Tell me, my sweet mortal, do you feel this way in your waking world?"

I shook my head, unable to form words as his other hand traced the column of my throat. To be touched like a valuable gem like this, given the attention my soul has craved for so long but never allowed to surrender to.

In the harsh light of day, I was numb.

Broken.

But here, in his arms, I felt everything with an intensity that threatened to consume me.

"No," I finally managed to gasp. "Only here. Only with you."

He spun me around to face him, his golden eyes boring into mine.

"Then stay," he growled, cupping my face in his hands. "Stay here in the dark with me. Let me worship every inch of your beautiful body. Let me show you pleasures beyond your wildest dreams."

For a moment, I was tempted.

Yearning for more of his promises of pleasure and contentment.

Desperate for a sense of safety that doesn’t rely on my sole survival…

The thought of surrendering completely to this exquisite darkness was intoxicating. But even as I leaned into his touch, I felt the first tugging sensation of my impending return to consciousness.

"I can't," I whispered, tears stinging my eyes. "Not yet. I'm not ready."

I fear his wrath with my denial as my heart quivers with agony. I wish to be here. To be one with this grand world of beauty that’s hidden so preciously in the layers of darkness that accentuate the glowing mystery of life, but I couldn’t remain yet.

I don’t know how.

His expression softened, a flicker of understanding passing through his eyes.

"My brave little mortal," h e said, brushing away a tear with his thumb. "Always fighting, even against your own desires."

The pull of reality grew stronger, and I clung to him desperately.

"I don't want to go back," I said, my voice breaking. "It hurts there. Everything hurts."

He held me close, his strong arms a shelter against the encroaching light.

"I know, my love," he murmured into my hair. "But you must. For now."

As the dream began to fade, I looked up at him one last time, memorizing every detail of his beautiful, monstrous face. The handsome entity that somehow instigated this beacon of hope, even in my thrilling life on the other side of wakeful chaos.

"Will you be here when I return?" I asked, hating the vulnerability in my voice.

His smile was both wicked and tender.

"Always," he promised. "I am yours as much as you are mine. Now wake, my sweet mortal. But know that in your darkest moments, I am with you. And when night falls again..."

"I'll find my way back to you," I finished, even as the world began to dissolve around me.

The last thing I felt was the press of his lips against mine, searing and possessive, before reality came crashing back.

I awoke with a gasp, my body aching with unfulfilled desire and my soul yearning for the shadows I'd left behind.

Tears slid down my cheeks as I curled into myself, already counting the hours until I could sleep again. Until I could return to my monster king and the dark paradise where, against all reason, I had found my true home.

In the cold light of dawn, I closed my eyes and whispered a prayer to whatever gods might be listening:

"Let night fall quickly. Let me dream again. Let me return to where I belong."

For in the arms of my crowned monster, I had tasted freedom.

And I would do anything – risk everything – to feel that again.