Page 24 of The Sorrow of Shadows

“He’s always been fond of playing games,” Aurelius says. Sometimes I forget how many people Aurelius must interact with as part of his position. He would have an insight into the disgruntled prince that most wouldn’t.

“Elaborate,” I say to both.

“The prince may be the one giving the orders, but we haven’t had any reports of him present for any of the attacks. He’s notorious for being alongside his soldiers, but he’s nowhere to be found. It’s extremely out of character for him,” Julian explains.

“And it’s not just that we’re barely able to drive out his troops—they aren’t even trying to advance. It’s almost as if they’ve been ordered not to,” Jade continues.

“Ayden will try anything to get your attention. Thatisvery in character for him,” Aurelius adds. “If it were anyone else, I would advise you to ignore his games, but I think that might cause him to increase his efforts.”

“Then perhaps it’s time we have a chat with him,” I suggest. “Find out exactly what it is that he wants.” I see Aurelius tense next to me.

“Maybe it’s time to negotiate terms of peace,” Jade adds. “Gods know I’m tired of camp food. I would love some peace.”

“You’d be bored within a month if there wasn’t a battle to fight or soldiers to train, Jade,” Julian teases, but he’s also notwrong. They were both busy bodies and couldn’t stand sitting still. Case-in-point, Julian was currently using his power to bend the metal of one of his daggers into different shapes, while Jade paced back and forth.

“Alright, you two are too fidgety. Go find someone to train with and work off that energy.”

“That’s not exactly how I planned to work off the energy.” Jade’s tone is full of suggestion.

“Maybe you can find Elijah to ‘train’ with,” Julian suggests using air quotes.

“Okay, that’s enough of that conversation!” I am physically pushing them out the kitchen doors now. They both chuckle loudly before finally leaving to do whatever they needed.

“They are something else,” Aurelius says once they’re gone.

“Just remember,youare the one that brought them here. If the castle burns to the ground, you were warned.” I fold my arms and stare him down.

“Princess—”

“Stop calling me that,” I grit my teeth.

“Never.”

I turn to leave, but he catches me around the waist and pulls me back against his chest. “What do you want, Aurelius?” I try to ignore how good it feels to be pressed against him, how well his body fits around mine, and how intoxicating his spiced bergamot scent is. “Let me go,” I say, but there’s no force behind the words.

“You don’t actually mean that, Breyla.” He presses his face into my hair and inhales deeply.

“No, I don’t,” I confirm quietly. “But I should.”

“You can’t bring Ayden here.” He says it like a command, as if he has any say over my actions.

“Actually, My Lord, you’ll find that I can.” I pull away and turn to face him. “In case you’ve forgotten, not only am I generalof the royal army, but I amalsothe godsdamned princess of this kingdom. It is well within my?—”

I’m cut off mid sentence by his lips crashing onto mine. I push against him, trying to break away, but he just kisses me deeper. His hand weaves into my hair, which he uses to maneuver my head to the side and deepen the kiss. I stop fighting and surrender, parting my lips to allow him entrance. His tongue snakes out, tangling with my own as he backs me up against the counter. He tugs at my hair just enough to make me let out a soft moan, while using his other hand to trail up my side, caressing as he goes. He breaks the kiss suddenly, breathing deeply, and leans his forehead against mine.

“What I meant, Princess, was that it is a tremendously badidea to bring him here,” he says softly, no hint of a command present.

“Tell me why,” I demand, trying to forget how right it feels to be with him like this. How this intimate position fills me with butterflies. I’ve slept with my share of males, but I’ve never experienced intimacy like this. It was all purely physical before, but I have to fight how right it feels just being in Aurelius’ arms.

“You’ll just have to trust me,” is all he says.

“Sorry, handsome, but I don’t have any reason to trust you so blindly,” I say truthfully. I don’t do secrets, and this male feels like he’s holding more than one.

“You don’t have any reason not to,” he argues.

But I do.I still don’t know his true reasons for accepting the marriage proposal from my mother. It doesn’t make sense, especially with how he kissesme.Then there’s the message I got from the ghost. I’m still not sure if he had anything to do with my father’s death, but he is hiding something from me.

“Please,” he says quietly.

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