Page 49 of The Sorrow of Shadows

Her blonde hair shines in a way that I know it would be silky to the touch. Her eyes are a shade of blue that reminds me of the baby’s breath that grows outside the palace walls. Alabaster skin, so smooth and flawless, serves as a reminder that mine is scarred and calloused by years of battle and training. She’s lean with a petite frame, not an ounce of fat—or muscle—on her. While I’m above the average height of women in our kingdom, she stands several inches taller than me and has the legs any male would want to part.Ones that, apparently, Aurelius has already parted.

Charlotte is everything I’m not. Her resemblance to my mother doesn’t escape me, and it has my gut churning. Where Aurelius is dark like my shadows, they are both bright. They contrast him in a way that’s beautiful and just seems so natural. They’re both graceful, soft spoken, and carry themselves in a gentle manner. I’m loud, mouthy, and sometimes brash. I’ve never been insecure about my looks, and honestly, I shouldn’t even care when it comes to him, but I can’t help but wonder why he pursues me. He clearly has a type—a mold I don’t fit.

“Though she doesn’t look like it, Charlie has quite the mind for strategy. She serves as one of my advisors. From what I hear about you, General, you might find you have more in common than you think.” I don’t miss the insinuation in his statement. I immediately tense, because there is no way he should know that we havethatin common.

I glance around to see if anyone else understands what he issuggesting. I see Elijah giving him a curious look, but he doesn’t say anything.

“Ah, so we have her to thank as well for the attacks on our border villages?” I challenge. Everyone stiffens, as if they didn’t expect me to call him out over our evening meal.

Prince Ayden lets out a loud laugh as he turns to me, draping an arm around the back of my chair. “I’m quite sure I don’t know what you’re talking about, General.” His amber eyes stare directly into mine, almost urging me to continue my accusations.

Before I can let my mouth run wild, I’m interrupted by the servants entering with the first course. I turn my attention to my wine, drowning my unease in the crimson liquid as a warm, hearty vegetable soup is placed before me. The smell has my mouth watering as I patiently wait for everyone to be served.

As the warm broth fills my belly, I hear my mother speak for the first time this evening. “So, Prince Ayden, when might we expect to hear of a coronation ball for yourself?” Her tone is polite and inquisitive, but I know she’s probing for information.

The spymaster, Lord Craylor, sits several seats down from Charlotte, but I see his gaze snap to my mother at the question.

“Well, seeing as it requires that I take a queen before I can take the throne...” Ayden’s voice trails off, “I imagine it will be about the same time Breyla takes her throne.” The number of details he seems to know about our court is unsettling.

“So, the fifth of never? That’s fantastic news,” Aurelius snaps, his tone dripping with disdain.

“You seem to have lost your diplomacy, Lord Aurelius.” Ayden is clearly not amused by Aurelius right now.

“Well, it’s a good thing I’m not acting in the capacity of a diplomat presently.”

The animosity between them is clear, but the reason is not. Ayden has been pushing buttons all day, but he’s been pushing everyone’s—not just Aurelius’s. No, there’s something more to this.

I glance down to my hands, tightly gripping my silverware, to see shadows creeping down my hand and weaving between my fingers. Now is not the time for me to lose control.

“Tell me, Breyla, when doyouplan to take your place as queen?” Ayden turns the questioning back to me.

I feel my pulse quicken and more shadows crawl down my skin as I fight to gain control of the panic taking over. I glance across the table at Aurelius to see him looking at me with something that looks suspiciously like concern.

As our eyes connect, I instantly feel my heart rate slow. All at once, I can breathe again, and my panic recedes. I close my eyes, taking a deep breath, and call my shadows back into me.

“Oh, probably the sixth of never, seeing as it requires that I take a husband. But you know how that goes, Prince,” I chuckle. “There aren’t exactly a lot of males lining up for the job of being tied to me.”

Ayden leans close and whispers in my ear, “They’re all fools.”

I turn my head to him and whisper back, “Oh, don’t mistake me, Prince—I don’t want the job. What would be foolish is assuming I want anything more than what I have right now.”

He says nothing, but just smirks and leans back into his seat.

The first course is cleared from the table, and the main course is served. I hear Charlotte engaging Aurelius in conversation about trivial matters, but he smiles at her and carries on as if they are old friends. Which, of course, they are if Ayden is to be believed. I find myself wishing it were me he was giving that smile to.

It’s a question from Ophelia that has my attention. “Prince Ayden, I’ve heard rumors that there is no shortage of willing and appropriate matches in your kingdom. What keeps you from marrying?”

Ayden turns his attention to Ophelia and takes a moment to appraise her before responding. “Willing? Yes. Butthe rest of your statement is wrong. I would not consider them...appropriate for my kingdom.”

“And what would make one the right fit for your kingdom?” I can tell Ophelia is just genuinely curious and perhaps trying to keep the topic of conversation away from me.

“For one, they would need a brain. I’m fairly certain most of the interested parties are missing that. I need a queen who isn’t just a pretty face, but someone who is my equal. I don’t want someone to bear my children; I want a female who strengthens and pushes me. Power and beauty are nice, but my kingdom needs character.”

I’m taken back by his answer, not because of what he says but because it seems like the first genuine thing he’s said so far. This is the first I’ve seen of the true Ayden, and it’s not what I expected.

“Why so many questions, Lady Ophelia? Are you interested in the position?” Ayden quips, his mask firmly back in place.

Ophelia blushes, and Elijah shifts uncomfortably next to her.

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