Page 50 of The Sorrow of Shadows

It’s my turn to laugh at Ayden. “Pardon me, Ayden, but Lady Ophelia is far too good for you. Besides, you can’t have her. She’s one of the few females I care for. You’ll have to find another.”

He laughs with me and agrees, “Well, you’re probably right about that. She seems far above my station.”

This has the entire table laughing and the mood shifts to something lighter as we finish the main course.

As dessert is served, Charlotte is deep in conversation with Aurelius, and she places her hand atop his. “Would you care to show me the town tonight, Aurelius?” she asks with a coy grin plastered on her face. He takes notice of the offer in her eyes. There is no heat in the look he gives her.

I’m unsure if I’m more pissed that she’s touching him or thatshe’s offering herself in front of everyone in the room, including my mother—his future wife. The pure audacity of this female.

Before he says anything, I let my shadows creep under the table and wrap around his leg, their cool presence a reminder there are other people watching. I feel his muscles tense, and he turns his gaze to me. There is heat in the look he givesmeas he blatantly ignores Charlotte’s offer.

“General, there are some things for the ball that I need to pick up from a shop in town. I heard you were headed there after dinner. Would you care to join me?”

I have no such plans, but I play along. “Yes, I need to see a male about a sword. I’d be happy to accompany you.”

Next to me, Ayden rolls his eyes. “I’m sure you can find some other male to give you a tour, Charlie.”

Charlotte stays quiet, but her eyes shoot daggers at her cousin.

I pull my shadows back and the rest of the meal continues without incident.

CHAPTER TWENTY

BREYLA

I’m making my way out of the formal dining room, but before I make the turn toward the royal wing, I feel a hand on the small of my back.

“Shall we?” Aurelius asks.

“Oh, you were serious? You actually did have an errand in town?” I quirk a brow at him.

“If the errand is getting away from Charlie, then yes. Now let’s go, Princess.”

I shake my head in disbelief but let him lead the way.

As we approach the castle gate a sadness settles over me, realizing it’s not Nolan’s face I’m seeing anymore.

“Good evening, General. Are you headed to town?”

“I am, Samson. Lord Aurelius and I will be going to pick up some items for the ball.”

“Shall I fetch Ryder and Zion to accompany you? You do not appear to be armed.” He looks uncomfortable.

“That’s not necessary, Samson,” Aurelius interjects. “She’s perfectly safe with me, but we both know she doesn’t need anyone else to protect her.”

“Very well, My Lord. The gate is open for you.”

“How very un-male of you to admit I’m capable of defending myself,” I remark as we pass through the gates.

“You are not some damsel in distress, Breyla. I trust my brother’s judgment in appointing you General. So while the male in me will always want to protect you, I have seen that you are capable of protecting yourself. You may irritate the hell out of me, but I also respect you. Plus,” he eyes me up and down, settling on my cleavage, “I count at least three daggers on you. You are anything but unarmed.”

“Four, actually,” I snicker.

We walk the short distance to the town outside the castle in peaceful silence.

“I need to know, Aurelius,” I start, and he gives me a questioning look. “Is what Ayden said about Lady Charlotte the truth?”

He sighs. “That prick should have kept his mouth shut. Charlie and I have a history, but?—”

---