Page 76 of The Sorrow of Shadows

“I can’t lay him to rest knowing his body is still out there, but not knowing what happened to him...Don’t ask that of me.”

I pull her into my side, wrapping my arm around her waist as she leans her head on my shoulder.

“We won’t ask that of you, little demon. We will get you answers,” I promise, not sure it’s one I can keep.

Genevieve runs her hand up and down Breyla’s arm in a soothing motion. “I think we can manage here without you for a few days. Why don’t you follow his trail and see if you can find anything? Aurelius can accompany you.”

Breyla nods at her mother before adding, “Do you think you can spare me for a few more? I think I’d like to visit Father’s parents. They’re on the way Julian would have taken, so it shouldn’t add much time to the journey.”

Gen smiles brightly at her request. “I think we can handle that. It’s about time you saw them; I know they’ll be ecstatic to see you both. Though, maybe don’t mention the nature of your relationship to them. That might be too much for them to handle right now.”

“That’s fair. That’s not a conversation I want to have with them,” she says, chuckling lightly.

“Not sure they’d really be surprised by anything after raising me.”

Breyla shoves her elbow into my ribs and sighs. “That’s not helpful. We are not telling them anything.”

“For now,” I say, but keep to myself that I don’t think I can keep my hands off her for long. I understand why we can’t tellanyone, but now that I’ve had her, I don’t think I can return to life without her. Consider me addicted.

Breyla ignores my comment and continues, “We’ll leave first thing tomorrow morning. Just Aurelius and I; I don’t want anyone else knowing what we’re up to.”

“If anyone asks, I’ll just say Aurelius is making an extended visit home and you wanted to see your grandparents.”

“Perfect, it’s settled then.”

And with that, we part to prepare for the journey.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

BREYLA

The next morning we stood in the stables, packed for a journey to find the body of my second and visit my grandparents. The sky is overcast, and it feels like a storm is brewing. It’s not unusual for this late in the summer season, but inconvenient for traveling. There’s anticipation and heaviness in the air as if the weather can sense my mood and is mirroring it.

I wish I could say I’m not nervous, but in truth I’m filled with anxiety as I think about what we are about to do. Jade stands silently on the other side of Luna as I finish saddling her. I hate that I have to lie to her about the purpose of our journey. I want nothing more than to tell her we’re going to find and bring her twin home, but I know if I do, she’ll insist on joining us. I can’t allow that. Not only would it alert others that there’s more going on with this trip, but she’s in no emotional state for this journey. Given the nature of Julian’s death, we could very well be walking into more danger, and she would be more of a risk than an asset at the moment.

Jade’s hazel eyes are bloodshot and puffy. She goes between a state of hysterics and a cold shell of the female I know. She’s strong, and I know with time she will come back to us, but I refuse to subject her to any more heartache for the time being.

Julian’s last words to me play on repeat as I remember the promise I made to his spirit.Don’t let her face this alone.I’ve instructed Ophelia and Elijah to remain close by her side in my absence. Knowing their hearts, it probably wasn’t necessary, but I gave the command anyway.

“Are you ready to go, Princess?” Aurelius asks from the stall over. His all-white mare, Crea, stands next to him.

“Almost,” I say, circling Luna to embrace Jade. I hug her tightly, rubbing my hands up and down her back.

“I’ll be back soon. I love you, Jade. Stay with Elijah and Ophelia. They need you, too.”

She hugs me back, nodding in understanding, but doesn’t say anything.

I slip my left foot in the stirrup, then lift myself onto Luna, swinging my right leg across her back. I lead her out to the front of the stables to meet Aurelius. We make our way to the castle gates at a casual pace. It’ll take us most of the day to reach my grandparents, so we'll increase our pace once we are outside the castle walls.

We pass by the guards at the gate, and they salute me, then raise the gate to let us pass.

“I’ve never heard you speak to your friends like that,” Aurelius says, startling me.

“Like what?” I ask.

“I’ve never heard you tell them you love them. I didn’t know you even knew those words.”

I roll my eyes and watch as the expression on his face shifts to one of irritation laced with intrigue. I know he doesn’t like me rolling my eyes at him, and he’s probably thinking of all the ways he can punish me for doing it to him again.

---