Page 16 of The Sorrow of Shadows

She has nothing left to say, her cheeks an even brighter shade of red. She turns to leave my room, but as she reaches the door she says quietly, “You will never be my king, and I will never kneel to you.” For some reason, that remark stings more than I expect. The door slams behind her as she leaves.

CHAPTER TEN

BREYLA

Iwake the next morning feeling simultaneously rested and frustrated. Last night was the most sound I’ve slept in months.Maybe I should have found someone to fuck before now.I groan at the thought of having to face Aurelius at breakfast. I somehow know he will find a way to subtly remind me of what happened last night. Mortification rolls through me at not only what I allowed him to do to me with his Gift, but also how my body responded to his touch.

A shiver runs down my back as I recall his words from last night, “Eyes on me, Princess. I want to see you when I make you come.”I should be disgusted, but all I feel is aroused. My mind wars with the Aurelius I know from the past and the one who brought me utter bliss last night.

"Why do you let her get under your skin, Aurelius?” my father asked. This was a conversation I wasn’t meant to hear, but now I needed to know what they were discussing. I assumed this had something to do with our latest encounter.

I had no one to help me learn my newly manifested control—or lack thereof—over shadows. I was the only one on record to have this Gift in several hundred years. As there was no one to compare with, it was difficult to know the extent of my power. I was rare and powerful in the eyes of society, but all I felt was alone. My parents were no help, since neither of their Gifts were anything close to mine, leaving me with only Cillian to teach me control.

His Gift wasn’t one of shadows, but it was similar and equally rare, belonging to the Madilim power family. Together we learned to master our Gifts to the best of our abilities. This week he had shown me how to create a blindfold with my shadows and use it on others. Aurelius was my favorite—albeit unwilling—test subject. He had walked into a wall so hard he broke his nose on impact when I cast the shadow blindfold.

I thought it quite funny, but I was the only one. This conversation was bound to happen, but I doubted they expected me to be listening around the corner.

“I can’t help it,” Aurelius grunted. “She does it so perfectly I wonder when she has time for anything else.”

“Yes, well.” My father sighed before continuing. “She does rather excel at that.” The way he said the last part almost sounded like pride, or perhaps amusement.

“And that does not concern you?” Aurelius asked, his voice rising in volume.

“Not particularly. I have always loved my daughter exactly as she is. She is half me, after all.” My heart swelled at my father’s words. He had never pushed me to be anything different than what I was. To better myself, yes, but he never tried to change what made me fundamentally me. He embraced my sharp edges and taught me to wield them as weapons.

“And I would not change her, brother. I simply wish to coexist with her peacefully; something she seems intent on never happening.” I could understand Aurelius’ desire, and a part of me longed for the same thing. But just as much as I got under hisskin, he got under mine. There was a push and pull between us that never relented. Anytime I was near him, I felt the overwhelming desire to be close to him, and I hated that. Aurelius gave as good as he got, though. Something many people seemed to overlook.

“What is the problem between you? Why isn’t peace an option?” Father asked, attempting to understand the tension between us.

“She is the problem,” Aurelius replied quietly. My chest tightened at his words. I shouldn’t have cared what he thought of me. His words shouldn’t have had any effect on me. But they did. I never wanted to be anyone’s problem. The fact that he saw me as one hurt more than I wanted to admit. Not wanting to hear anymore, I turned and retreated down the hallway.

I shake myself from the memory and focus on the day ahead. I pull myself out of bed and into my bathing chamber. I quickly bathe and braid my hair in a crown around my head, the tail draping over my left shoulder. I have no plans to train today, so I forgo leathers and opt for lightweight trousers that hug my hips, but flow loosely down my legs. I pull on a deep forest-green tunic that brings out the gold and red hues of my hair. Tucking the tunic into my pants, I pull a strapless bodice around my torso and lace it up the front. Since I go nowhere unarmed, I grab a sheathed, slim dagger and slide it down the front of my bodice. It nestles snuggly between my breasts, undetectable.

When I reach the breakfast table my mother and Aurelius are already there. I sit beside my mother and across from Aurelius, careful to keep my gaze off the male. I reach for the teacup before me, letting the hot liquid warm my hands through the ceramic. Warm spices waft up from the brew; rich notes of cinnamon, turmeric, and ginger wash over my tongue as I take the first sip.

“Good morning, Breyla. You look rested. Did you sleepwell?” my mother asks as she takes a bite of the eggs in front of her.

“I did, thank you. How are you this morning?” I can make polite small talk. This is easy. A servant places a plate before Aurelius, causing him to wrinkle his nose in displeasure.

My mother takes notice of his expression. “Is something wrong with your breakfast?”

“Nothing is wrong, eggs just don’t sit well with me.” He smiles at her.

“We’ll send it back and have them prepare something else.” She smiles back, and I suppress an eye roll.

“Staff,” Mother calls politely. “Please take Lord Aurelius's plate to the kitchen and prepare something else for him. Thank you.”

Aurelius’s plate is cleared away, and he folds his hands in front of him. I catch his eye momentarily and am surprised to see his face remains neutral. Based on our previous interactions, I would have expected Aurelius to be smug or find some way to taunt me for our clandestine meeting yesterday. Instead, I find only indifference.

“What was it you were asking, dear?” My mother’s attention is back on me.

“Nothing important, Mother. Have you set a date for your wedding?” I’m trying to keep the attention off me, so I choose a topic I can fake interest in.

Aurelius coughs suddenly, choking on his tea. He clears his throat. “Not yet. We are in no rush.” Did my question make him uncomfortable? Perhaps he isn’t as indifferent as he pretends to be.

“I was only nineteen when I was engaged and married to your father. The wedding happened so quickly; I have no intention of rushing anything this time. The council seems content with my betrothal to Aurelius for now, as am I.” Her answer surprises me a bit. With how quickly she announced her engagementto Aurelius, I figured they would also move for a quick wedding. “Speaking of, you know I would never force you into marriage, but you are twenty-seven, my dear. Are there any males that have caught your eye?”

This time it was my turn to choke on my drink. “I, uh—” I’m saved from having to answer by a shriek from the kitchens.

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