Page 48 of The Sorrow of Shadows

I roll my eyes before teasing, “What? No pretty maidens back home to hold your interest?”

“None so prettyas you, darling.”

“Wow,” I say in awe.

“That’s exactly what I thought when I first?—”

“You’re honestly worse than Elijah. I thought he was the biggest flirt in this court. I’m really going to have to keep my eye on you.” I turn down the corridor that leads to my—and now Ayden’s—chambers.Having both Aurelius and Ayden in such close proximity was going to get interesting.

“Oh, please do, Princess. Which one is Elijah?” he asks curiously.

“The one with the long blond hair and more muscles than should be possible.”Kind of like you.

“Ah, yes. He is your mother’s advisor?”

“One of them, yes. And my best friend,” I explain.

“Hmmm,” he muses.

“Here we are,” I state as we arrive at his chambers. “This is where you’ll be staying. My room is just across the hall.” I motion to my door. “And Lord Aurelius is just next to me.”

“Lord Aurelius does not stay closer to the Queen’s chambers?” he questions, somewhat confused.

“Obviously.”

“Why?”

“I suspect he enjoys making my life hell,” I joke.

“So, she has a sense of humor,” he says with a chuckle.

“She does. But in all actuality, I don’t know. You’d have to ask one of them that question.”

“I don’t actually care that much,” he drawls.

“Hence the reason I don’t know the answer.”

Prince Ayden steps into his room and looks around. “I think we’ll get along just fine, Breyla.”

“We’ll see,” is all I say before shutting the door and leaving him to prepare for dinner.

Dinner that night is nothing less than I expected: an utter shit show.

Due to Prince Ayden’s early arrival and the large party of people accompanying him, we are forced to have dinner in the formal dining room rather than the private room reserved for the royal family. It easily sits thirty rather comfortably, and nearly every seat is filled when I enter. The queen sits at the head of the table, Aurelius to her right while the spot to her left is left open for me.

I cross the stone floor, the slight heel of my shoe clicking as I walk. I had changed out of my previous outfit and into a floor length blood-red dress. It’s made of silk and hugs every curve down to my hips, then flares out into a flowy skirt. The neckline is a sweetheart cut with lace details that accentuate my breasts. Full-length sleeves made of the same lace end in a design that loops around my middle fingers.

I left my hair as it was, my gold and ruby diadem still sitting in place atop my braid. As I reach my seat, I notice that instead of Elijah to my left, Prince Ayden occupies that spot. To his left sits Ophelia, then Elijah with his arm slung across the back of her chair, his fingers tracing the curve of her shoulder. Across from Prince Ayden, a beautiful golden-haired female sits next to Aurelius.

She smiles sweetly then casts her gaze on Aurelius. “Hello, Aurelius,” she practically sings. Her voice is sweet and smooth like honey. It rings with a tone of familiarity that catches my attention.Who is this female?

“Princess Breyla, I don’t think you’ve been properly introduced to my cousin, Lady Charlotte,” Prince Ayden announces. “Of course, you’re already well acquainted with Lord Aurelius, Charlie. No need to introduce you.”

Both Aurelius's and Lady Charlotte’s eyes narrow at Prince Ayden. Prince Ayden just smirks as he takes a sip of his wine.

A blush creeps up Charlotte’s cheeks, and she clears her throat. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Princess.”

“Please, just Breyla. Or General if you prefer. And likewise,” I force out as evenly as I can. The heat I feel coursing through my veins would suggest it isnota pleasure to meet her.

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