Chapter 21: The Shadow Advisor
The Queen’s private bedchamber was warm and heavy with the scent of dark lotus.
Silas stood near the massive obsidian bed watching as Ravena poured two goblets of rich dark wine. She did not call for her servants. She did not summon her guards. For the first time since he had arrived in the Sunless Throne they were truly alone without the looming threat of torture or execution.
Ravena walked over and handed him a goblet. Her silver eyes were bright and searching.
"Drink," she commanded softly. "It is not laced with anything. I think we have had enough magic for one evening."
Silas took the goblet and took a slow sip. The wine was exquisite.
"What did you do to Malakor?" Ravena asked pacing slowly around him. "The soul binding elixir is ancient magic. It is designed to break the mind and force a confession. But when he touched you his own mind shattered. He is currently locked in the healing ward screaming about metal towers and alien logic."
Silas kept his breathing perfectly even. He had anticipated this question. He needed to give her an answer that satisfied her curiosity without revealing the System or his past life.
System, Silas thought. Activate Silver Tongue.
[Silver Tongue Level 1: Activated. Cost 50 SP. Current SP: 610.]
"I did nothing Your Majesty," Silas said his voice carrying that strange hypnotic weight. "The High Priest looked into my soul expecting to find treason and fear. Instead he found that my loyalty to you is absolute. He found a mind that does not fear the dark but embraces it. Perhaps the sheer weight of that truth broke his fragile faith."
Ravena stopped pacing. She looked at him her silver eyes narrowing slightly as she processed his words. The System skill worked its magic blending his logical half truths into a persuasive narrative.
A slow dark smile spread across her lips.
"You are a magnificent liar Silas," Ravena purred stepping closer. "But I do not care how you broke him. I only care that you did. Malakor was becoming a nuisance. Draven was a blunt instrument that had outlived his usefulness. You removed them both from my board in a single night."
She reached out and traced the collar of his tunic. Her touch was not freezing this time. It was warm and electric.
"I told you earlier that you are no longer a consort," Ravena said her voice dropping to a husky whisper. "A consort is a toy. You are a weapon. From this night forward you are my Shadow Advisor. You will sit at my right hand. You will command the City Guard. And you will help me root out the rest of the traitors in this court."
"It would be my honor Your Majesty," Silas replied bowing his head slightly.
"I do not want your honor," Ravena breathed closing the distance between them until their bodies were pressed together. "I want your mind. I want your ruthlessness."
She reached up and tangled her fingers in his dark hair pulling his face down toward hers.
This was not the foul play of the previous nights. There were no iron chains and no poisoned daggers. This was the raw undeniable attraction between two apex predators who had finally recognized each other as equals.
Ravena kissed him. It was a fierce demanding kiss that tasted of dark wine and absolute power. Silas did not hold back. He wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her flush against him and matching her intensity perfectly.
She broke the kiss gasping softly and pulled the laces of his tunic loose. The heavy fabric fell to the floor. Ravena let her midnight silk gown slip from her shoulders revealing her breathtaking voluptuous figure in the dim violet light.
Silas lifted her carrying her to the massive silk draped bed. The psychological warfare was over for the night. The Queen of the Sunless Throne had finally surrendered a little bit of her control and Silas gladly took the reins letting his hands roam all over her body but sill careful not to go over board. He had already deduced that her majesty was still a virgin and she would not easily give up her body to a man like him... yet.
The next morning Silas walked through the corridors of the palace with a new heavy silver ring on his finger. The seal of the Shadow Advisor.
The guards bowed deeply as he passed. The servants averted their eyes in terror and respect. The entire dynamic of the palace had shifted overnight.
He arrived at the grand library. The heavy oak doors were locked but Silas had a key. He stepped inside and found Lyra waiting for him near the restricted archives. She wore her deep blue silk gown her sapphire eyes shining with anticipation.
Elara stepped out from behind a towering bookshelf her pale green eyes bright with loyalty.
Silas looked at the two women who had helped him conquer the first phase of his war. The maid who saw everything and the scribe who knew everything.
"The military is ours," Silas said his voice echoing in the quiet library. "The religious faction is broken. The Queen trusts me to a certain degree."
He walked over to Lyra and held out his hand.
"It is time Lyra," Silas smiled a cold triumphant smile. "Bring the key. Let us open the vault and see what other secrets this empire is hiding."
