Page 9 of Shadow Kissed

He blinks as if being pulled from his thoughts and glances down at my arms, then coughs in surprise, immediately pulling his shadows back into himself. “Why is an unprotected Asen woman out here alone at night?” he barks, looking around as if he is going to find his answer out there.

“Let’s just say it’s one downside to being this,” I say, pointing at my eyes. “Not everyone likes you.”

His nostrils flare as he takes a step towards me, making me strain my neck to look up at him. “You mean to say someone purposefully left you out here?”

I chew on my bottom lip and tear my eyes from his. It’s like I can feel him trying to dig into my mind and pull my secrets from me. “It was a prank.”

I yelp in surprise when he grabs my arm and pulls me flush against him. “Your own people did this to you?” I can hear the anger in his tone.

“Have you finished manhandling me, please?” I say, pointedly looking at where his hands grip tightly on my arms, but he ignores me and leans down into my face.

“Who did this? I’ll slice them open like a pig and bleed them dry,” he says, his face snarling in a vicious sneer. Up close, his beauty is even more breathtaking. Whoever his parents are, they must both be the perfect match in terms of looks, because this man is perfection.

“Does it matter?” I ask him cooly, determined not to be the one to end this stare off. He’s acting like this prank is a personal attack on his person.

“Why would they do this?” he asks me, ignoring my requests to release me. “You are their saviour. They should worship at your feet.”

I scoff. He clearly has no clue. “Look shadow man. Thank you to you and your men for rescuing me and all, but it’s late. I’ve had quite a shitty and eventful night, and I’d like to get home now.”

“You’ll come with us,” he states. “We’ll escort you home when it’s dawn.”

I arch my brow in response. “Actually, I think I’d prefer to go home now.”

The other man, who offered to climb the tree to help me, comes up beside the moody one and squeezes his shoulder. He smiles at me in greeting. “It’s not safe to travel with this many mutts in the area for any Asen. Our camp is just north of here. We are travelling to Terleigh in the morning.”

“You’re travelling to Terleigh,” I repeat in surprise. “That’s my hometown.” My eyes narrow with suspicion. “Why are Shadow Borne travelling to Terleigh?”

The friendlier one of the two smiles warmly again. “We’re collecting the new intake of soldiers for the war.”

“But they’re not due for enlistment for another three months,” I say with a frown. I know the date they are due to enlist. I have it imprinted on my brain because it’s the day that Arkynn and I will part ways for good.

“They’re being enlisted early,” he informs me. “Lord Commander, why don’t you let go of the young lady’s arms before you cut off her circulation and we’ll head back to camp,” he says with an amused grin as he claps his comrade on the back.

That explains the air of arrogance he has. He’s their lord commander. He clears his throat and releases me. “Do you have a name, Asen?”

I don’t like the way he says Asen. As if it’s something below him. “This Asen does have a name, thank you.”

The other man steps in front of his friend and offers out his hand. “Let’s start again, shall we? My name is Jasiel, Captain of the Shadow Borne first army. This grouchy bastard beside me is our Lord Commander, Raegal. Would you please do me the honour of telling me your given name?”

I fight a smile. This one I like. Well, as much as one can like a Shadow Borne. The other one, not so much. “It’s nice to meet you, Jasiel, despite the circumstances. My name is Eretreya.”

“Eretreya,” Raegal repeats, continuing to study me with that look of distaste on his face. “Greatness.”

“Pardon?” I ask in confusion.

“Your name. It means greatness,” Raegal says, that deep frown never leaving his face.

“Might mean that where you are from, but it doesn’t mean that where I come from,” I inform him with a dismissive shrug of my shoulders. I’m still reeling from the warm rush that coursed through my body at the sound of my name on his tongue.

“Well,” Jasiel says, smiling at me and then Raegal. “It’s late. I need ale and a bed. Please accompany us to our camp, Eretreya?I promise you will be safe with us, and we will return you safe and sound to your family on the morrow.”

The Lord Commander doesn’t wait for me to answer. He strides back over to his mare and mounts it and orders his soldiers to do the same. Jasiel gestures with his hand over to their mares and, as I don’t see a spare one for me to ride, I make my way over to his. “Oh, you’ll ride with our Commander, miss.”

“Why can’t I ride with you? I don’t much like your boss,” I tell him, not really making any effort to lower my voice.

This causes Jasiel to chuckle under his breath. “I’m afraid I must insist you ride with our Commander, miss. He is the strongest and most powerful of us all and the best one to protect you should those mutts decide to return.”

Sighing, I look over at Raegal, who meets my gaze. He bobs his shoulders as if to say take it or leave it. Reluctantly, I nod my head. Jasiel picks me up like I weigh nothing and sits me astride the horse in front of their leader.

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