Page 45 of The Sorrow of Shadows

I realize my mistake just moments too late when one of hisfree legs swings up and wraps around my torso. The room flips on me as he switches our positions. He has me face down on the floor, sitting on my back, with my hands pinned above my head.Fuck.

“Are we done here?” He sounds bored.

“I yield.” I sigh in defeat.

He rolls off my back, and I feel like I can finally breathe deeply. He holds out his hand to help me up and shakes his head. “I can’t believe you fought dirty andstilllost. What shame, General.”

“Yeah, yeah. I’m not usually fighting males your size or as well trained. I also usually have swords available.”

“Excuses, excuses,” he tsks at me. We settle back in his bed, pulling the covers up over our legs. “Now pay up.”

Fuck. I’m not ready for this.“Okay, but first you have to promise to tell no one. I’m serious, E. This can’t get out.”

“My lips are sealed,” he promises.

I sigh and drag his hand to my temple. His power works through physical touch. He can control when he reads memories pretty well, but occasionally he slips. When his power first developed, nobody was safe. He didn’t mean to invade people’s privacy, but it took time to learn control. As a result, I learned to build mental shields against all Anima Gifts.

I drop my shields and let his warm essence fill my mind. Most people probably wouldn’t even recognize what it felt like to have him in their mind, but I had felt it enough times that I would always recognize him. Though the concept as a whole was invasive, his essence would always be a comfort to me.

I study his face as he watches the memory play out for both of us. I expected disgust, surprise, horror maybe, but what I see instead is pure humor and relief in his eyes. As the entire encounter comes to an end, he lets out a deep laugh, and I instantly regret showing him.

I start to turn my head away to hide the blush creeping up my cheeks when he pulls me closer into him and squeezes me gently. “I can’t believe you thought that would be a surprise to me. You two have been at each other’s throats since you arrived. The tension you two have could be cut with a butter knife. I’m just glad you finally stopped fighting it. That was painful to watch.”

I’m speechless because I had no idea it was that obvious. “Wait, you knew this entire time?”

“I didn’t have confirmation until just now, but I had a strong feeling there was something more going on between you. Nobody has chemistry that strong without doing something about it.”

“Except we shouldn’t be acting on it. He’s with my mother.” I groan and throw my head back. This situation makes my head throb.

“But is he?” Elijah challenges.

“He’s literally engaged to her, E.”

“Would you just stop and think about the bigger picture for one minute, Breyla?” Elijah’s tone turns to frustration. “For one of the most strategic and accomplished generals in our history, you are awfully dense when it comes to what’s right in front of you.”

I open my mouth to defend myself, but don’t get far.

“What do our laws say will happen if the queen doesn’t remarry?”

“The rule would pass to me, and I would be forced to marry,” I start. “But Mother would never force me into that position.”

“Right. Do you really think she, of all people, wants to marry right now?”

I know what he’s really saying. If I had lost my true love, the last thing I would want is to be forced into marrying another.The whole kingdom was grieving, but she was having to plan a wedding. The thought has my chest tightening.

“No, I suppose she probably doesn’t.” It comes out barely above a whisper.

“I don’t suppose you’ve thought about what happens if both you and your mother refuse to marry and leave the throne empty?”

No, I hadn’t. My silence says as much.

“The rule would pass the next strongest family of noble standing. Any guesses who that might be?”

This one I do know the answer to. “Lord Seamus.”

“Exactly. Now let’s forget trying to keep you happy, and keep a power-hungry, sadistic male away from the throne. Let’s look at Lord Aurelius. Have you even once seen him being affectionate toward your mother?”

“Yes, plenty of time?—”

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