Page 64 of The Shadowbound King

The black scarf around her neck brushed her chin as she inclined her head. “Of course, sire.” She lifted her gaze, the diamonds in her hair sparkling in the sun. “No one in the Embervale will come to harm while you’re away. I give you my vow.”

“And I accept it with gratitude.” Turning from her and Othor, I strode to Rane. “Are you ready?”

The look in his eyes—there and quickly concealed—told me he shared Othor’s concerns. But Rane would never question me in front of others. And anyway, he’d already vented his displeasure in the bathing chamber the second we returned from the stable.

“You’ve been marking the edge of the Edelfen?” he’d asked, his eyes wide with outrage. “Do you know how stupid that is, Andrin?”

“Clearly not,” I’d said, sitting wearily and removing my boots. “But I have a feeling you’re going to tell me.”

Rane released a bitter laugh. “Why bother? You don’t listen to me. You just do whatever the fuck you want and damn the consequences.”

“I need to know how much ground we’re losing,” I grated.

“A lot.”

“No shit.” I flung my other boot across the room and stood. “That’s why we’re going to Eftar today. If I can stop myself from strangling Walto on sight, I’m going to reclaim the Kree and save Autumn.”

Rane studied me, his hands braced on his hips. After a moment, he seemed to rein in his temper. “And what of Mirella?”

“What of her?”

He looked at the doorway behind me, his gaze contemplative. “She was aroused in the stable.”

“And you liked it.”

Purple eyes flicked to mine. “I wasn’t the only one.”

Desire tightened my cock. Ignoring it—and the memory of Mirella’s sweet scent soaking the air—I went to Rane. “It doesn’t matter what I like. All that matters is the Kree. This is our chance to get it back.”

The anger fled Rane’s face, leaving worry behind. “We should wait until tomorrow. You were overcome this morning.”

“Because I was alone. I’ll have you and Kassander with me today.”

“Andrin—”

“I’ll be fine.” Turning away, I’d stripped my shirt off and headed toward the bath. “You always keep me safe.”

“Ready to leave on your command, sire,” Rane said now, jerking me back to the present. Mirella was pale and stone-faced at his side, her hair like flame against her yellow gown. The golden collar gleamed around her milky throat. Kassander and his men stood at the ready behind her.

I looked at Kassander. “Lord Rane and I will lead with Lady Mirella behind us. You and the others bring up the rear. Don’t let Mirella out of your sight.”

Kassander and the other two Shadow Eaters bowed. “It will be done, my lord,” Kassander said.

Moments later, we stepped into the Edelfen. The sunlight disappeared at once, replaced by a gray sky and thick, stagnant air. Dead leaves piled at the base of the black, twisted trees. Impenetrable shadow swirled between the trunks.

Immediately, a dark, alien presence roused in the darkness. It was nothing I could see—at least not yet—but I sensed it turning its attention to me. Whispers lifted in the air, rippling and overlapping.

A blood-curdling scream sounded directly to my right. Ears ringing, I kept walking. Leaves crunched, and footsteps pounded like someone charged from the forest.

Gaze straight ahead, I ignored the sounds.

“Andrin.”

My father stepped into my path, his dark red hair glinting in a sudden patch of sunlight. He held out his arms, tears shining in his eyes. “My son.”

I walked through him.

He reformed beside me. In the corner of my vision, his face twisted in fury. “You dare disregard me after the shame you’ve brought upon our house!” Spittle flecked my cheek as his voice climbed. “You trusted ahuman. You lost the Kree. The blood of thousands is on your incompetent hands!”

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