Page 14 of The Shadowbound King

I couldn’t give him that power. For as long as I had a choice, I’d exercise it.

“I’ll walk silently,” I said.

He closed his fist, smothering the shadows. Inky feathers and vines appeared under his collar and ascended his neck. The designs moved almost sensually, sliding over each other before stilling at last. Without another word, Rane turned and headed up the path.

The tether pulled, yanking me forward. Clenching my jaw, I followed.

When I looked back for the crows, they were gone.

I didn’t havemuch time to ponder Rane’s claims about my father’s so-called crimes. Less than an hour after we started walking again, the forest changed.

It was subtle at first, just a hint of light filtering through the trees. Then the shadows thinned, and fewer dead leaves decorated the ground.

The light swelled, as if the rising sun waited just over the horizon. Warm and golden, it spread over the forest, which continued to change with every step. The path widened, and more shadows rolled back. Flowers appeared between the trees, fat clumps of orange mums and deep purple asters drawing my gaze. Birdsong filled the air.

My fatigue faded as the gnarled, blackened trees gave way to towering redwoods and fragrant spruce. Bold, straight oaks marched alongside maples bursting with orange and yellow leaves.

A few more steps, and the path opened onto a vast, rolling meadow. Orange and yellow leaves drifted from the sky in a slow, lazy descent. Just before they hit the ground, they winked out of sight.

Awe and curiosity spread through me. As the golden glow intensified, I looked over my shoulder. Behind me, the forest remained dark and forbidding, the trees cloaked in shadow. For a second, a pair of eyes appeared in the gloom. They glowed yellow before winking out.

The tether pulled, yanking me around. Ahead, Rane strode over the meadow like he didn’t have a care in the world. I glared at his back and kept moving.

The golden light continued to spread. A breeze picked up, carrying notes of nutmeg and vanilla. More birds chirped, filling the air with sweet, trilling songs. I reached a hand out toward one of the spiraling leaves. It brushed my fingertips before fading from sight.

The ground trembled, and a rumbling sound made my heart speed up. Seconds later, a deer crested a hill and then thundered toward Rane.

My heart jumped into my throat. Even at a distance, the deer was huge, its muscles rippling under its sleek mahogany coat. The meadow was wide open, with no place to hide. Instinctively, I tensed to run.

Rane stopped, seemingly unbothered by the rapidly approaching animal. Sunlight glinted off its antlers, and small clumps of grass flew under its hooves. When it was no more than a dozen feet from Rane, it shifted to shadow.

Shock dropped my jaw. For one beat, the shadow deer continued its gallop. As its hooves struck the ground, it changed form again, twisting into an elven male in silver armor. He landed at a run, then slowed to a jog.

“My lord,” he said, stopping before Rane and offering a bow. He wore no helm, and his long, brown hair streamed over his shoulders as he straightened. Dark tattoos of leaves and prancing deer covered his neck. He flicked a glance at me before focusing on Rane. “We expected you sooner.”

Rane made a low sound. “Bywe, I can only assume you mean Andrin.”

The knight blinked. “I… His Majesty expressed concerns for your lordship’s safety.”

Rane clapped the knight on the shoulder. “As always, Sir Castien, you’re a model of diplomacy.”

Sir Castien hesitated, as if he wasn’t sure what to make of Rane’s compliment. “Um, thank you, my lord?” He dipped his gaze to Rane’s midsection. “Are you hurt, sir?”

“No,” Rane said. Swinging toward me for the first time, he snapped the tether. It tightened around my wrist, yanking me forward.

I let all the hatred and frustration of the past several hours pour into my expression as I held his stare.

“Come,” he said, facing away and continuing his march. Sir Castien slid a look toward me, curiosity touching his eyes before he turned and fell into step beside Rane.

More hatred sizzled through me as I followed. If I’d had any questions about my status in the Autumn Court, they were answered now. I was beneath notice. Unworthy of even the most cursory introduction. Rane and Sir Castien spoke in low tones, snatches of conversation drifting back.

“…the whole court.”

“If the king wills it…”

“…Purecliff.”

The last made my pulse pick up. Rane seemed convinced my father had wronged the Autumn Court. But that was impossible. My father had spent his life warning me away from the Covenant. He punished villagers who went near it.

---