Page 4 of Taken By the Shadow Prince

Though, as of a few decades ago, I take pains to stay out of Elix’s way when we’re alone. He wouldn’t kill me (probably), but he can hold a grudge, and after I made that bargain with his witch daughter...

It’s safe to say I am not his favorite person.

Though he’s never really been mine, either.

Elix has a problem with control—as in, if he does not have it, he just might strangle you. As children, the marks of his grip were often left on my neck. Eventually, I wore them proudly—a badge that I had gotten to him in some way, even if it made speaking painful. But Elix eventually realized how much I enjoyed provoking him and he learned to keep a tight rein over himself, usually contained with fists clenched at his sides.

Soon, though. It had to be soon. I’ve been to Aligris often enough to see the change in clothing styles, to recognize as they swept closer to that vision I had. Soon, I would be called on again. Perhaps I’d be bored to death the whole time, or maybe...

Perhaps it had been wrong of me to make that bargain with Elix’s daughter all those years ago. Joula hadn’t a clue what she was doing—the effects of that little deal she made just to stay with her lover—and I hadn’t been willing to inform her. I’d forced her to go into it blindly, but she hadn’t seemed to be concerned with the consequences then, had she?

But I’d known. Oh, I’d known quite well.

But I am selfish. And cruelty is what’s expected of me, yes? It had been just that—cruel. Cruel to let her take that deal, unwitting of the consequences.

But for me?

It had been exactly what I needed. The negatives did not concern me, so long as I got what I wanted.

Patience, I remind myself. I can be patient.

I have been patient and will continue to be patient.

Any day now.

Chapter 3

Mavey

the mission begins

After a round of stiff hugs and the bone-crushing one I receive from my brother, it’s time to leave.

The sun is barely peeking through over the horizon, but if we want to make it to the first sanctuary by nightfall, we don’t have time to spare—especiallyif we’re going to stop for lunch. But if we run behind, I’ll tell everyone to grab their jerky from their packs and eat while we ride.

There is no time to waste. There hasn’t been for quite some time now.

My eyes are dry from a sleepless night, one spent creating powders that blew into my eyes if a breeze gusted through my window just right. It’s not a lovely thought to have, considering that powder was made with Ender’s blood, which she had given to me with barely more than a few questions.

I mount my horse at the very front of the line. Kal, my second, I stationed at the back. I claimed I wanted him there to make sure no one fell out of line, but I really only wanted to keep contact between us at a minimum. I don’t think I could stand if I had to spend the entire month with his arrogance suffocating me the whole time.

Kelsa, however, seems to enjoy that arrogance. With one glance behind me, I see she’s following along right at his side. They talk with bright smiles on their faces. My frown only deepens at the sight. We’re hardly setting out for a trip that warrantssmiling. Not with what it means if we can’t convince the witches to fight.

I swallow and turn back to face the front.No. I won’t consider that outcome. Wewillrally the witches. If we don’t, then we’re all dead. All of us, and even Mair, who might be among the first to go if the Aligrians storm the capital before we can prepare.

In my satchel I carry hundreds of copies of maps. Saile and Leven made them with their enchantments. Whether or not witches agree to fight, I’m to pass out handfuls of the copies at each safe haven so that even if they don’t decide to fight, they know where to go if they change their mind.

To the castle. We’re sending them all directly to the castle, along a path that hides in the forest, protected by Auley’s guards. Since we can’t bring the witches with us as we collect them, we’re sending them on their way to the castle. As they arrive, they’ll receive training, shelter, and anything they could possibly require. Safety, of course, being the most important of them all.

Safety until they’re risking their lives for us.For them, I remind myself.They’re doing it for them.

I turn to face my team once again. Everyone waits on their horses, talking with friends or simply looking forward, waiting for their orders. I hold a hand in the air to gather their attention.

The conversations die off until everyone is looking at me. “Ready?” I ask, a simple, blunt word.

Their responses come as nods, grunts, various yesses, and even someone who calls me sir despite how obviously female I am. It almost makes me smile.

I let my gaze rake over Mair and her council, and Leven at her side. There’s a spot beside Ellis where I would usually stand, as if the phantom of my body waits there to see me off. I look away, refusing to let the sting of the sight settle into my bones.

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