Page 17 of The Sorrow of Shadows

The screams continue as we all jump to our feet. Aurelius steps in front of my mother, his sword drawn. I draw the thin dagger from my bodice and make my way to the kitchens. When I arrive, the scene is horrific. The servant that cleared Aurelius's breakfast is laying on the floor, eyes wide. Foam coats her mouth and blood leaks out of her eyes, ears, and nose. It’s clear the screaming came from the other servant on the floor next to her.

Wisps of blonde hair hang in a chaotic mess around her thin, heart-shaped face. Brown eyes fill with tears as she pulls in shallow, quick breaths. She’s hysterical, crying and mumbling about the girl on the floor.

I crouch down to look her in the eyes and ask, “Can you tell me what happened? I'm sorry, I don’t know your name.”

“Melody. M-my name is Melody,” she stammers. “I’m not sure exactly. One moment we’re chatting, and the next Sera is on the floor, jerking uncontrollably, and b-bleeding. Oh gods...she’s d-dead.” She trembles violently.

I turn to Aurelius. “Can you help calm her down like you did me?” I may be questioned about that statement later, but I don’t care right now. I need Melody to calm down enough to piece together what happened. He leans down and places a hand on Melody’s shoulder.

“You’re okay. I’m going to use my Gift to slow your heart rate to help calm you. Is that alright?” I can’t help the respect I feel for how he explains himself first and asks for her permission. She nods slightly, and I can see the effects of his magic almost immediately. Her breathing slows, and the trembling stops.

She looks at us and whispers, “Thank you.”

“Of course, Melody. Now can you tell me anything else about what happened? Did Sera eat or drink anything before this happened?” Aurelius asks, his tone soothing.

“She brought in your plate, Lord Aurelius, and ate the eggs. The chef usually lets us eat what’s sent back, since it would just go to waste otherwise. I think that’s it. I don’t remember anything else.” Tears are still running down her face.

“Okay, Melody. Thank you for your help. You are dismissed for the day. I’ll make sure you’re still compensated, but please go rest. You’ve been a great help.” I smile at her, hoping she understands my sincerity.

“As you wish, My Lady. Thank you,” she says quietly then pulls herself off the floor. She exits the kitchen, leaving me alone with a castle guard, Aurelius, and my mother.

“That poison was meant for you. Care to tell me what enemies you’ve made that wish you dead?” I deadpan.

“I’ll let you know as soon as I figure that out,” Aurelius says, his brow furrowing.

My instincts kick in, and I take charge of the situation, giving commands. “Alert Commander Nolan. No one enters or leaves the castle. I want all the kitchen staff questioned. Someone must have seen something. If the culprit is still in the castle, we will find them.” The guard bows and leaves to follow my orders. I lean down and close Sera’s eyes.

"At least she went quickly,”I say to myself. "Which is a load of shit, because that fact won’t make it hurt any less for her loved ones. It’s just one of those things we’re conditioned to think because no one is taught how to handle death.”

Aurelius looks like he wants to say something but remains quiet. I still don’t trust him, but I also don’t think he’d go as far as poisoning himself. But it begs the question—whydid someone want him dead? Sure, he made me want to strangle him any time he opened his mouth, but we have a special relationship. He was the royal emissary; his position was one intended to promotepeace. An attack on him by a foreign kingdom would be considered an act of war. If it came from someone within our kingdom...it just didn’t make sense.

Mother had remained silent through this entire ordeal. I look back to her to find her eyes wide and mouth hanging ajar. She looks shocked, which makes sense, but she was normally much better at not showing her true feelings. She was always stoic when it came to things like this. The ability to mask one’s feelings was a skill that most royals were trained in, but one I failed at miserably. The situation must unsettle her.

“Are you okay, Mother?”

She snaps out of her daze and turns her eyes to me. “I-I’m okay. It’s just a bit upsetting to have someone try to murder Aurelius so soon after Raynor’s...death. I don’t know what to think.” I walk over and wrap my arms around her. She stands a couple inches above me, her warm vanilla scent cocooning me. I would be her support if she needed it.

“We’ll figure this out. I promise,” I reassure her, leaning back to look into her sky-blue eyes, now red and swollen. “I’m posting extra guards outside your and Aurelius's rooms.” I hope that brings her comfort.

“I hardly think that’s—” Aurelius begins.

“I’ll decide what is necessary and what’s not, Lord Aurelius,” I snap at him. The look on his face suggests he doesn’t appreciate my tone, but he isn’t going to fight me on this.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

AURELIUS

As the new day greets me, I’m filled with more questions than I know what to do with. I wasn’t unaccustomed to death, but it usually wasn’t coming for me. Who could be bold enough to attempt to poison the emissary and future King of Rimor? Perhaps it was the same person that took the life of the last king. That was a strong possibility.

Pulling the sheets back, I force myself out of bed. Today is the first council meeting since I arrived at court. I hope it will be more productive than all the investigating I’ve attempted so far. I slip on a pair of black leather trousers and a matching tunic. My hands run through my black waves, attempting to appear put together. Truthfully, I didn’t sleep well last night, but I can’t let that show.

I had summoned the twins, Julian and Jade, to court and they were set to arrive sometime today, hopefully in time for the council meeting. My hope is that they would be an asset here, even if I had originally only summoned them to provoke Breyla. They were powerful and had earned their positions as Breyla’ssecond and third in command. Julian was not only skilled with any weapon handed to him, but his Gift allowed him to bend metal. Jade was equally gifted with a sword, but her Gift was far more valuable—the Anima Gift of coercion. With a simple touch she could bend others to her will. She could make you utter any truth, even cause you to turn your sword on your best friend. According to my sources, it was not a Gift she took lightly, reserving it for only the most necessary situations.

No matter how today goes, I expect I will at least be entertained. I exit my chambers, sparing a glance for the extra guards. I sigh,damn infuriating female.We both knew they were unnecessary, but she seemed to delight in exuding her power over me. When she was a teenager, we had come to blows more than once.

“Aurelius! You’re needed in the king’s chambers. Emergency council meeting or something!” Breyla shouted through my door as her fists pounded against it repeatedly.

I stared at the beautiful blonde with her head thrown back in lust currently riding me. Grabbing her hips, I rocked her back and forth, urging her closer to her release—and hopefully my own. For good measure, I used my Hemonia Gift to direct the blood flow to her clit and increase her pleasure. A moan left her lips that would leave no question as to what we were doing.

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