Page 51 of The Sorrow of Shadows

Realizing he misunderstood my question, I blurt out, “Oh, no. Your personal history with Charlotte is the last thing I want to hear about.” I can’t help the slight venom in my voice.

“Then what are you asking, Breyla?”

“In your travels to Prudia, did you get the impression that she had a mind for strategy, as Ayden suggested?” I clarify, then mumble, “Or was she too busy making other impressions on you?”

Aurelius stops abruptly and tugs me down a darkened alley between a shop and the local tavern. Once we’re alone, I’m being shoved against a wall. My back hits the cold bricks, and I feel the warm hard muscles of his body press firmly against me. He has one hand against the wall next to my head, the other wrapping around my throat.

“First of all, yes, Charlotte is incredibly clever and strategic. You would be wrong to underestimate her. Secondly, you don’t get to play the jealous card tonight.”

“Why? Because I’m not really yours?” I spit.

“Make no mistake, Breyla. You. Are. Mine. You may be your own capable person, but the way your body sings for me can’t be denied. I’ll destroy anyone that tries to take you from me.”

I swallow hard as his words cause warmth to flood my core.

“And you don’t get to play the jealous card because just last night I had you panting and begging for me, but this morning I find you in another male’s clothing, freshly arriving fromhischambers. Then I was forced to watch not one, but two males openly flirting with you all day.”

“Clothes that you burned—” I’m cut off by the sharp sting of his teeth biting the spot where my neck meets my shoulder.

A sound somewhere between a moan and a gasp leaves my throat and all protests are forgotten. He licks the spot, soothing the sting, and kisses up my throat to my ear.

“I don’t care that Elijah’s your best friend, and I don’t blame you for Ayden flirting, but that doesn’t mean I like it. Their touches and suggestive looks and comments drive me to insanity. I hate people touching what’s mine.” A shiver runs up my spine at his words. “I especially hate that I can smell both of them all over you right now. Charlie and I may have history, but that’s all it is—history. When she approached me at dinner, I turned to you. You spent all day flirting with Elijah and humoring Ayden in front of me because you knew there was nothing I could do. That, Princess, is why you don’t get to play the jealous card tonight.”

His words ring true, and I don’t have a response that doesn’t make me sound like a total hypocrite, so I say nothing. After a long several moments, he eases away from me and takes a step back.

“Come on, Princess. I need a drink.” He takes my hand and walks me back down the alleyway to the front of the tavern.

When we enter, I’m greeted by the joyous sounds of my soldiers enjoying a night off and the smell of ale and mead. We take a seat in a corner booth, away from most of the other patrons.

“Evening, General. Been a minute since you last visited my tavern,” Luella, the tavern owner, says, greeting me. She’s older than both my parents, but you’d hardly be able to tell. Her brown curls hang loosely down her back and frame her warm, tawny skin. She’s on the shorter side but has full rounded hips that have most males panting after her. Dark, lined hazel eyes look me over as she notices Aurelius next to me. “And you brought Lord Aurelius!” she exclaims in surprise.

“It was a bit crowded in the castle, Luella. We needed fresh air and a good drink. You were the only logical option, of course.”

“Well, I don’t know about the fresh air part, but I can set you up with a good drink. What’ll it be tonight?”

“The usual for me, and whatever Lord Aurelius wants.”

She nods and looks to him.

“Just bring me whatever she’s having, Luella. Thank you,” he says and smiles widely at her.

“That’s brave of you. I could have ordered something overly sweet and frilly,” I tease.

“Something tells me you’re more of a rum or whiskey drinker.”

I shrug. “I guess you’ll find out.”

Luella sets two short glasses on the table in front of us, each with two measures of a deep amber liquid. She leaves the bottle on the table because she knows better and leaves us to our conversation.

I take the drink and down the first glass in its entirety, savoring the spices and warmth as it races down my throat.

“Rum it is,” Aurelius concludes as he downs his own glass and fills them both again.

After the second glass I am feeling bold. “Let’s play a game.”

He raises an eyebrow at me in question. “What kind of game?”

“Ten questions.” Elijah and I usually played two truths and a lie, but that game wouldn’t be fair with Aurelius's ability to detect lies.

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