Page 46 of What Lies Within Masks & Shadows

“So, you finally admit that you’re a child.” A pleasing, mocking grin covered Jade’s face. By faerie years, Aiden would still be a youngling if his blood was like them.

“Now that one”—Aiden pointed with his spoon at Jade—“We don’t know what the devil she is. Death herself? Mmm, possibly. Don’t get on her bad side. She’s been known to look a male straight in the eyes and his soul willingly left his body.”

“Smartest thing a male could ever do.” Jade leaned back on the log and propped her feet up, clutching the ivory pendant, set in melted iron, of a necklace.

Aiden motioned to Thalon. “Him. Nicest High Fae you’ll ever meet. Has a … higher calling. Golden personality. Saved my bloody ass a time or two. Thank the seas and stars for his portals or I’d be?—”

“You’re a Marked One?” Alora shifted toward Thalon.

“Indeed.” Thalon gave her a reassuring, gentle smile.

“Thalon is a Mystic just as you, as I.” The High Prince stared into his bowl and continued eating.

“You’re all Marked Ones then?”

Aiden’s eyes widened in shock. “Bloody hells, no! I’d be completely irresistible then. Can you imagine these looks and magic? The kingdom would simply crumble under jealousy.”

She looked around the group, sapphires falling upon Garrik. “And what of the mighty prince? What’s he like?”

“Ah, Garrik. Well, he’s…” Aiden shifted his weight, turning to the High Prince.

Garrik leaned forward, rested his elbows on his knees, and glared.

“He’s—”

Garrik arched a brow, still those silver irises burning with lethal warning.

“Better stop while you’re ahead, or you’ll be tending the horses tonight.” Thalon laughed as he scraped his spoon around his bowl.

Aiden and Thalon continued talking. Unlike the two males, Garrik remained quiet. The silver of his eyes seemed worlds away, deep in thought, as if considering the mountains far in the distance.

All the stories … everything she’d heard of this Savage Prince who claimed no prisoners, save for the Marked Ones he procured for his father, swirled in her mind. The High Fae sitting on the ground before her didn’t offer the same image those tales rumored.

Perhaps hecouldbe trusted.

Perhaps she was a damn fool for even considering it.

When the conversation slowed, Garrik stood and inhaled deeply. “Aiden, find Ghost. Thalon, Jade; Brennus summons us to his camp. Making him wait much longer would be an act of war.”

“Shall I fix up a lovely breakfast basket for him? Might help turn his permanent frown upside down,” Aiden joked, complete with hand motions.

Garrik crossed his arms. “And lead him to believe he was being poisoned? Are you trying to have me killed?”

The males laughed. Thalon and Aiden settled their bowls on the dirt and rose, adjusting the swords sheathed at their sides.

Before leaving, Thalon stopped and offered a hand to Alora. “It’s nice to meet you.” He paused. “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch a name?”

She raked her eyes over him. Something on the ground behind him … his shadow. Large and wing-like in the morning light; hidden to the eye unless searching for it. It seemedto connect to his body’s shadow. But when she surveyed his considerable form, there was nothing. Sleep deprivation certainly caused this illusion, she reasoned. And he still waited with an outstretched hand.

Her name.

He’d asked, and she hadn’t given it. Names were powerful. Names meant something. They could be manipulated to control the being who owned it.

“Nadeleine,” she said. Her mother’s name. She hadn’t spoken it in years. The mere sound of it calmed her nerves as she clasped Thalon’s hand and shook it.

“Her name is Alora.” The three of them turned to Garrik, who stood with his arms crossed.

Shock and confusion covered her face.How does he?—

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