Page 37 of The Sorrow of Shadows

“Shadows that you currently have no control over,” he grinds out. I look down and see that his wrists are bound by my shadows, holding him taut, and even more are seeping out of my fingers. I didn’t even know I had called them. My jaw drops, then he says softly, “You can’t protect yourself from him, Princess. You’re just going to have to trust me on this.”

I hesitate at his sudden change in tone and the pleading look in his eyes. But his non-answer still has me pissed. “I only trust those who don’t keep secrets from me, Aurelius.” With that I release him from my shadows and walk away. The night ruined, I make my way back to my rooms in the castle. My bed is calling my name.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

OPHELIA

Pain courses through my entire body, and I bite my tongue to keep from screaming. A metallic tangy taste spills through my mouth when I bite too deeply. I would have hit the ground if I hadn’t already been sitting. I still feel my father’s electric currents traveling through my limbs as I gasp and struggle to pull oxygen into my lungs. This is significantly worse than previous punishments. Father is livid, and it’s my fault.

“How dare you make me look like a fool in front of the council,” he seethes. Truthfully, it had been long enough since the council meeting that I believed he had forgotten. I was wrong.

Still gasping for air, I can’t respond so he continues, “The informationyougave me was wrong. I made an idiot of myself accusing the princess of plotting against the queen.” If I could speak, I might tell him that he didn’t need my help to look like an idiot, so it’s probably better that I can’t form words.

The pain begins receding, eclipsed by a tingling sensation that travels down my fingers. “My apologies, Father. I didn’tknow it was false information.” The lies roll off my tongue so easily. “Perhaps the princess does not trust me as much as we believed.”

“Little good that observation does me now, stupid girl,” he spits. “What else can you tell me? And don’t even think about lying.”

“She’s hosting a ball to celebrate the engagement between Lord Aurelius and Queen Genevieve,” I start. The information isn’t exactly a secret, but word hasn’t yet made its way around court. The look in his eyes tells me he’s intrigued.

“Why? Does she have some ulterior motive?”

“I believe she wishes to meet with Prince Ayden II of Prudia. I’m not sure why, but perhaps it’s a cover to conspire with him in some way.” The last part is a lie, but close enough to the truth that it’s believable. I see excitement dance in his eyes.

“Now that I can work with.” A sinister smile spreads across his face. “See if you can find out anything more.”

“What are you going to do with this?” I try to keep my tone even.

“That is none of your concern, girl,” he replies, harsh and patronizing. His insistence on still calling me ‘girl’ grates against me.

I don’t register the sound of crackling before it’s too late. A fresh wave of lightning hits me, stronger than the last. His last words are muffled as blackness takes over my vision and I lose the battle to stay conscious.

When I awaken several hours later, the sun has begun its descent in the west. Every bone in my body aches, and my skin is sensitive to the touch. My nerves feel like they’re on fire, and theeffort it takes me to sit up causes bile to creep up my throat. After a few long minutes, I can finally push myself off the floor and onto my feet. I gently roll my shoulders, trying to stretch out the stiff muscles.

I examine my reflection in the mirror and find my eyes are streaked with red and the braided crown I had this morning is nearly undone. I look like I fought a dragon. Hell, Ifeellike I fought a dragon. And the dragon definitely won this round. I pull my remaining hair free from its braid and comb through the long ebony locks with my fingers. I splash cool water on my face from a bowl on the vanity, then smooth out my dress as best I can.

The walk to Breyla’s chambers is short but allows me time to stretch my aching body. My knuckles wrap softly on her door, and it only takes a moment to fly open. A panicked-looking Elijah greets me.

“What’s wrong?” I blurt, immediately on edge.

He groans, “Oh, thank the gods you’re here, beautiful. Your princess needs you.” His answer doesn’t soothe my nerves.

“Would you quit being so dramatic?” I hear Breyla protest behind him. I peak around the mountain that is Elijah and find a half-dressed princess clutching a corset to her chest. I cock an eyebrow at them both. It’s not Breyla being half-dressed that surprises me, but that she’s wearing a dress at all. A dress she looks rather uncomfortable in.

“Mother insisted I wear a gown for dinner tonight. I don’t actually know the last time I had to wear one of these horrible contraptions, and I couldn’t find you so I asked Elijah to help me dress.”

“I got my finger stuck in the laces and it started turning purple. I really don’t understand these things.” Elijah shudders.

“You probably can’t even count how many corsets you’ve taken off, but suddenly you can’t help me put on just one?” Breyla stares at him incredulously.

“Exactly, B. Itake them off.Never do I have to help them go back on,” he states matter-of-factly. This doesn’t surprise me, but it does make a strange sensation settle in my chest.

“Well, if you’re not going to be any help, get lost,” Breyla huffs.

“You don’t have to tell me twice, doll. I’ll see you at dinner.” Elijah makes his way to the door. He pauses next to me and leans in close. “Thanks for the rescue. Just let me know if you need help unlacing any corsets later.” The last part is said low enough that only I hear it. Before I can process his words fully, I feel his lips on my cheek. The kiss is brief, but the feeling on my skin lingers as butterflies erupt low in my belly.

“What did he say to you?” Breyla asks, sounding intrigued.

“Um...” My cheeks warm as I stutter my response. “To let him know if I need any help unlacing corsets later.”

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