Immortal Promise Read Online Free Page B

face. Her feet found purchase once more, and her eyes opened. The two men, who now held her arms tightly, forced her to her knees on a plush, red carpet. Lifting her gaze, she traced the carpet up a set of six stairs to where it travelled under a black throne. She lifted her narrowed eyes higher to the handsome face of the Dark Fae leader. Darion’s features held a smug and sinful set. His lips were twisted into his impression of a smile, and his silver eyes shimmered as he looked down upon her.
    “Esperanza, I wish I could say there was something wrong with the sight of you bowing at my feet, but I admit I do enjoy the view.”
     

Chapter Five
     
    Esperanza glared at the Dark Fae Leader. “Tell your goons to release me, Darion. Now.”
    Darion arched a brow at her but dipped his chin, signaling for her release. Esperanza got to her feet, her hands fussing over her dress and hair.
    “Why am I here, Darion?”
    “You must know why, unless your banishment from your daughter’s castle means you are completely cut off from the issues in your lands.”
    Her eyes narrowed at the leader of the Dark Fae. His face hadn’t aged in the past centuries, but he looked nothing like the boy she had once known. The boy she had called her friend until the day of their coronation. The whole room had exploded into shock as he aligned himself with the Dark. He had been raised in the light lands, but rumor was that his parents hailed from the Dark.
    “I’ll ask once more, why am I here?”
    Darion rose from his throne. Tall and imposing, he was graceful as he descended the steps to stand next to her.
    “Your daughter and her Warriors have pushed me too far this time,” he said, leaning in to come face to face with Esperanza. “She stole something important to me, and now I have you.”
    Esperanza sighed. “So I am your bargaining chip?”
    Darion smiled at her.
    “You better have a nice suite for me, Darion. I have been living in that shack Tyr forced me into all those years ago.”
    Darion’s eyes sparkled with mirth as he slung an arm around her shoulders. “There’s the Essie I know so well. Come, I will take you to your room.”
    “You mean my suite,” she corrected and let him lead her from the throne room.
    Darion chuckled but nodded. “I have missed you.”
    “Well, you chose the Dark. Warring alliances can put a strain on a friendship.”
    Darion slid his gaze to her beautiful face. The years had stopped aging her centuries ago. She looked to be in her late thirties by human standards, but she was well over a thousand years old, just like him. After giving birth to the next two warriors of Tyr’s line, the Immortal Four had graced her with their blood and immortality. Her beauty was different from that of the young, fresh-faced beauties he kept around. There was something intoxicating about the more mature and seasoned look of Esperanza’s features.
    “Yes, well, look where I ended up. In a castle of my own. The Light hasn’t been as gracious to you. You may find you like it here,” he said as he pushed open the door to her suite. The nearly eleven-hundred-square-foot room was lush and extravagant, just like the man to whom this castle belonged. The large, four-poster bed was draped in purple and black. The walls were covered in black velvet and adorned with tapestries and sconces. Esperanza imagined the bathroom was just as richly wonderful.
    “I may. It really all depends on what the Dark has to offer,” she agreed as she stepped into the room.
    Darion smirked “Isn’t it obvious? Look around you, Essie, the Dark can offer you everything you’ve ever desired.” He leaned in and ran a finger along her jawline. “You never belonged to the Light, Essie—the Dark resides deep inside you.” Darion stepped back, grasping the doorknob. “I’ll be back to check on you later,” he offered before shutting her door.
    Esperanza moved to her window. The sun had set over Darion’s land, and a light mist cast