Cloak of Night (Circle of Shadows #2) - Evelyn Skye Page 0,16

life. Non-royals like Sora never got to see deities. She would light incense and pray, hoping that the smoke would carry her wishes to Celestae, the island paradise in the sky where the gods lived. But people didn’t expect to ever see a god during their lifetimes, let alone twice. Yet Zomuri had appeared for the Ceremony of Two Hundred Hearts, and here he was again.

Why?

It had to be bad. Zomuri may have been more willing to appear to humans than the other gods, but still, he came only if there was something worthwhile to him. Hearts to eat. Emperors’ promises of glory in Zomuri’s name. Or possibly worse.

Sora pulled herself together and mashed her ear against the keyhole to catch what she could of their conversation.

“I do not like being summoned like a dog,” Zomuri said. “What is the meaning of this?”

Prince Gin bowed to the ground. “My lord, you know I am your most humble servant. I am working toward creating a vast empire to worship you and to achieve the Evermore for my people. However, I’ve been reviewing my research on the emperors of the past who marched this path before me, and always, they fail before conquering all seven of the mainland kingdoms because the Kichonan forces are outnumbered. I want to ensure that I’m not susceptible to this same human frailty, and so I have a request to make of you.”

Zomuri’s voice rumbled ominously in the back of his throat. “Why should I give you anything more? By declaring your kingdom’s loyalty to me, rather than the sun goddess, you have already gained an advantage.”

“What?” Daemon whispered, confused.

Sora shook her head. She didn’t understand either.

Prince Gin dipped his head in acknowledgment. He clearly knew what Zomuri was talking about. Then again, he’d been a devotee of Evermore legends since childhood. “I understand the effect your reign will have on the people of this kingdom. But what I’m proposing is a deal that will benefit both of us even more—a guarantee of glory and empire for you and a clear path to the Evermore for me, my ryuu, and all of Kichona.”

Zomuri floated above the throne. “I’m listening.”

The Dragon Prince rose to his feet and took his time walking to his throne. He sat in it casually, with a surprising lack of deference, given the fact that he was in the presence of a god. Maybe being emperor allowed him that.

Or maybe he’s just an arrogant snake, Sora thought.

“Make me immune to death—invincible,” Prince Gin said.

Sora’s jaw dropped. Was that possible?

“You already have magic superior to that of anyone else you will face,” Zomuri said.

“True, but I can still die, and my enemies are clever and savage. Give me the power over death, my lord. You and I both know that I’m your best chance at achieving what you’ve craved for centuries—the entire mainland united under your name. The people of the world will worship you and offer all their riches for your blessings. There will be no god as loved as you’re loved. No god as wealthy and glorified as you. If you grant me invincibility, I can all but guarantee this to you.”

“Invincibility . . .” The god pulled on his beard as he contemplated Prince Gin’s offer. “Perhaps I could do that. But it would cost you.”

“What do you want?” Prince Gin said.

Sora held her breath as she waited for Zomuri to reply to the prince. Anyone who knew anything about the Kichonan gods knew that Zomuri loved only three things: blood, glory, and treasure.

“I want your soul,” the god said.

Prince Gin crossed his arms. “Choose something else. If I give you my soul, then it won’t get to rest in the afterlife if I die before reaching the Evermore.”

Zomuri chuckled, and it shook the room. Sora and Daemon had to let go of the doors or the handles would jiggle too much and give them away.

“You speak of your research,” the god said, “but for a man who prides himself as a scholar of Kichonan legend, you are woefully undereducated. You must not have read the legend Dassu and the Warrior.”

Daemon whispered to Sora, “I’ve heard that one before. . . .”

Zomuri, in the meantime, continued speaking to Prince Gin. “If you had, you would know that you are condemned to the same fate. Ten years ago, when you were on the cusp of death and your soul traveled down the final tunnel of light, you caught a glimpse of the glittering