Page 36 of The Sorrow of Shadows

Julian takes a seat quietly on the other side of Elijah andbegins tracing swirls up and down Elijah’s bicep. I can feel the shivers that pebble Elijah’s skin at Julian’s touch. The firelight catches his hazel eyes, and I see desire swimming in them. Too bad Elijah is currently my cushion, and he will have to be patient.

I continue my story, “I had been forced to train with the recruits, and it was a particularly humid day, so all of them were shirtless before lunch. A girl can only take so much before she breaks, so naturally instead of sneaking him to my rooms, I cornered him in a storage closet after training and took him there. Nolan walked in on us with the poor kid mid thrust, and the look he gave him had him soft in seconds. It would have been funny if it weren’t quite so sad. Nolan looked at me and asked if it was worth it. I begrudgingly told him no. To which he responded, ‘Just because the kid can hold a weapon, doesn’t mean he knows how to handlehissword. That takes years of practice. Next time find someone who knows what they’re doing. And for gods' sake, take him to your room.’” This has everyone full belly laughing.

“I was mortified to say the least. What he said the next day, though, was something I learned from. He pulled me aside and told me to be careful who I take to my bed. Not because he cared that I fucked someone, or even who they were. But if I wanted to someday lead the armies of Rimor, I would need to ensure the soldiers could trust my judgment. If I showed them that I would let just anyone with a cock into my pants, then they would think I was easily influenced. He said if I wanted to command their respect, I should show them that anyone I let close had to earn their position there. I wanted their respect, so I never took another of my men to bed.”

“So that’s why you always shot me down; I’m too pretty to say no to,” Zion quips.

“No, I never took you because you take anything with aheartbeat to bed. You shut that door all on your own, cupcake.” This has everyone laughing even harder.

“Aye! That’s the damn truth,” Julian chimes in. I shoot a wink to Zion as I hear him grumble something about at least knowing how to usehissword well enough.

I hear a breathy sound come from behind me and turn my head to see Elijah’s head thrown back. Julian’s hand is fisted through Elijah’s hair and his lips are trailing down his stubbled jaw. I feel Elijah’s hand clench at my side, and something firm presses into my back.

Is that...Nope. “No, thank you!” I say as I jump to my feet. “Hard pass on feeling my best friend’s erection.”

They both smirk at me as I hear Elijah say, “Literally,” at the same time Julian tells me I can find somewhere else to be if I’m uncomfortable. I glance over to Jade and Ryder to see they are also...preoccupied. Zion has undoubtedly disappeared to find someone to bury his sorrows in.

The flames from the bonfire lick at my cheeks as I feel eyes on me again. Without turning I blurt, “How long have you been there?”

“Long enough to hear that charming story of yours,” Aurelius teases. “We need to talk, Princess.”

I’m not in the mood for his shit tonight. I know why he’s here, but I’m going to make him work for it. “Ask nicely,” I say with a sickly-sweet tone. By the tick in his jaw, I’d say he doesn’t appreciate my sass.

“All that wine has really gone to your head,” he says, making his way closer to me.

I turn away from him and start to walk away, throwing a flippant, “That wasn’t asking nicely,” over my shoulder as I go. I make it to the tree line behind the castle before he catches up, and my back is suddenly being pressed into the bark of an old oak tree.Damn wine, slowing my reflexes.

A grunt escapes my lips as I stare into Aurelius' dark eyes.The fire behind us really makes the crimson flecks of his eyes glow, almost unnaturally. He has both my wrists in one hand pinned above me on the tree while his other rests on the curve of my left hip. In any other situation this position would be hot, but the flames in his eyes tell me he is livid.

Even so, he leans in close and whispers, “Please,” so softly I barely hear it. I can tell it takes everything in him to utter that word. He’s pissed, so naturally I have to push him further.

“I like it when you beg,” I chuckle in his ear. He growls in response and abruptly pushes away from me. Instantly, I’m stone-cold sober and I know his Hemonia Gift is to thank for that.

“Hey! I worked hard for that buzz,” I pout.

“Too bad. You’ll thank me in the morning when you don’t wake up with a hangover.” This male is insufferable.

“Fine. Talk,” I spit out at him.

“You’re throwing a ball to celebrate your mother’s engagement.”

“I am, but that’s not what has you so worked up.”

“It’s a stupid idea, but you’re right. What has me fuming, Princess, is that you seem intent on inviting snakes into our home,” he seethes. I open my mouth to respond, but he isn’t done. “I specifically warned you against inviting Prince Ayden anywhere near here.”

“Near the palace or nearme?” I challenge. His insistence on keeping Prince Ayden away from the palace makes little sense. No one else has pushed back against the idea as much as Aurelius.

“Both.” His answer doesn’t clear anything up for me.

“Why?” It comes across as the demand it is, not a question.

“You know why.”

“You’re avoiding the question, Aurelius. Tell. Me. Why.” Now I’m just pissed. We’re supposed to be allies, but he’s keeping secrets.

“It’s not safe for you!” he bursts out.

“That’s bullshit! I’m the general of the fucking army, my shadows are the strongest in hundreds of years. I can protect myself, and you damn well know it!”

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