Page 79 of The Sorrow of Shadows

“Oh, no! I’m quite satiated now. It was delicious. You must give my compliments to your cook. He might be better than the palace cook!” I’m not exaggerating. It was one of the best meals I’ve had in a while.

“I’ll be sure to,” Grandmother says, smiling. “So how long doyou plan to stay?” Her question is directed at me, but it’s Aurelius that answers.

“We’ll leave the morning after next, Mom.”

“Oh, I do wish you’d stay longer; we hardly get to see either of you. It’s been so hard after losing Raynor...” Her voice trails off, and I’m filled with guilt for not seeing them sooner.

“I know, Grandma. I promise we’ll be by more often. We just have a lot of work to do right now.” It’s the best answer I can give without saying too much. Tears slip down her cheeks, and I reach out a hand to her, taking hers into my own. I squeeze gently to let her know I’m here, that I feel her pain.

“I hope you know how proud of you we are, Breyla. I know your father would be proud of you, too.”

This time it’s my turn to tear up, and the salty bastards stream down my face. I knew my father was proud, but hearing it said out loud does something to me. An overwhelming sense of sorrow laced with satisfaction washes over me.

After a few moments of silence, my grandmother says, “It’s late and I’m sure you’re both exhausted from the journey. We’ll leave you two and see you in the morning. Goodnight, my dears.”

“Good night,” Aurelius and I say at the same time.

They exit the parlor, leaving Aurelius and I alone by the fire.

Tears are streaming down my face still as the weight of being in my father’s childhood home bears down on me.

“Come here,” Aurelius says softly. He doesn’t demand, but it isn’t a question, either.

I walk over to him, and he pulls me into his lap, wrapping his arms around me and allowing me to curl into his warm chest. I pull my knees to my chest, and he runs a hand in soothing circles on my back. The dam breaks and I don’t fight it as tears stream down my face steadily. Full sobs and tiny hiccups escape me as he just lets me break in his arms. He kisses my hair softly but stays silent, letting me work through my emotions. Heartbreak,guilt, and nostalgia all fight for dominance in my chest. It still feels like there’s a cavern in my chest where my father, Nolan, and Julian used to fit. Bit by bit I’m putting myself back together with Aurelius's help. Like an open wound, not still bleeding, but raw and painful starting the process of scabbing over.

Eventually my cries quiet and my eyelids grow heavy, the exhaustion of traveling and emotional turmoil taking its toll on me. I don’t fight it and let my eyes shut, falling asleep against Aurelius's chest.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

BREYLA

At some point in the night Aurelius must have carried me to the guest room, because I awake there the next morning, surprisingly alone. My clothes are still slightly damp, so I dress in a spare dress left in my room by the servants.

It’s emerald green and pairs perfectly with the color of my eyes, while allowing my hair to stand out in stark contrast against it. To my relief, it’s simple, lightweight, and easy to move in with a sweetheart neckline, sleeves that come to my elbow, and a slit up the leg. Because I go nowhere without my weapons, I slide a holster onto my right thigh and slip in my dagger for easy access. It’s high enough that it’s undetectable, but still within quick reach should I need it.

I braid my hair to one side, securing it with a strip of leather, and opt for no shoes. Aurelius greets me as I open the bedroom door to leave for breakfast.

“Good morning, beautiful.” The way my heart flutters in my chest at his greeting is something I’ve never experienced before.

“When did you become so charming?” I tease, letting out a light laugh.

“Contrary to your opinion, I’ve always been charming. You are just so infuriating that you never get to see it. It’s hard to charm someone when you want to wrap your hands around their throat.”

“How am I infuriating?” I scoff in disbelief.

“From age fifteen to seventeen you insisted I bow before speaking to you just because you could. You challenged me to duels every other week, but knew I was better, so you cheated. Speaking of cheating, I’m pretty sure you cheat at cards. The first thing you did after arriving at court was insult me unprovoked and call me a devil. You challenge me at every turn, fight me every chance you get, openly flirt with others where you know I can’t react, and you made me walk home from the tavern with no pants. Shall I continue?”

“First of all, you deserved most of that. You are not better at swordplay than me, and I definitely don’t cheat at cards. Perhaps I was a bit of a handful when I arrived home, but you are equally as infuriating. And youdefinitelydeserved to walk home from the tavern without pants.” I cross my arms defiantly.

“Let’s not forget the game you made of interrupting me whenever you knew I was with someone. It lasted foryears.”

“That was a game you started,”I scoff.

“I don’t know why you can’t just admit you’re a brat.”

“I don’t know why you can’t just admit that you like that I’m a brat,” I say, grinning.

He rubs his temples.“The name ‘little demon’ could not be more fitting for you.”

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