Page 97 of The Sorrow of Shadows

“There’s been a few occasions I’ve enjoyed his company without Breyla present,” I say as evenly as possible.

He narrows his eyes at me. “But you’re justfriends, right?”

“We’re friendly, yes.”

“That’s not what I asked, O.”

“Your question was unclear, then,” I say, shrugging.

“Ophelia, stop dodging my question.”

“Ask clearer questions, brother.”

“Is there something...romantic between you and Lord Elijah?”

“Something like that,” I mumble, my cheeks flushing.

Layne leans forward, gently taking my chin between his finger and thumb, forcing me to look him in the eyes. “Something likewhat,”he nearly growls, his jaw clenched.

“Ugh, you overprotective ass. I am an adult, fully capable of choosing with whom I share my time and body.” I roll my eyes.

His nostrils flare. “You’re sleeping with Elijah?” he nearly screams.

“Not that it’s any of your business, but no. We haven’t slept together, yet. We haven’t exactly defined what we are, but he’s made his interest clear. I don’t believe he’s spending time with anyone else like he does with me. He’s actually interested in me. He’s sweet and kind; he gets me. He doesn’t even care that I have no power.” Something twists in my gut at the fact that I’m still keeping Layne in the dark about my Gifts.

Layne grumbles and mutters something unintelligible under his breath.

“What was that?” I challenge.

“I still kind of want to punch him in the face for touching my baby sister, but if you’re happy and he treats you right, then that’s what matters most.”

I chuckle at his overbearing older brother act. “I am happy. He makes me happy.”

“I still might punch him,” he mumbles.

“Not that I don’t have faith in you, brother, but I don’t think that’s a fight you want to pick.”

“Fine, I won’t punch him. But you can’t blame me for trying to protect my favorite sister,” he concedes.

“I’m youronlysister, you ass.”

“Still my favorite,” he shrugs. “When did you get such a foul mouth?”

“You can thank Breyla and Elijah for that. I sometimes wonder if they received any lessons in manners at all.”

“I’m sure you’re not the only one wondering that,” he says, laughing.

“Tell me about your time away. Did you have any grand adventures?” I lean in closer to hear his stories.

“Grand adventures? No, not this time. Father sent me to Lennox on business. It was mostly stuffy meetings with even stuffier nobles and merchants. He’s been busy making deals and allies all over the continent.”

“Sounds absolutely dreadful,” I giggle.

“Oh, it most definitely is. The most dreadful,” he exaggerates and throws his head back.

“Well, when you’re done running all his awful errands, you must take me with you on a grand adventure.”

Layne pulls me into his chest, my back to his front, and lightly plays with my hair. My midnight strands wrap around his pointer finger, and he twirls them. It’s a soothing sensation for me, one he picked up from our mother; it’s one of the only things I remember about her. I think it soothes me as much as it does him. “And where would we go on this grand adventure?”

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