Page 36 of Daughter of Shadows and Ash

I was only picking up a few words and missing many in between. I didn't feel in control of my body as I followed behind her. The same phrase repeating, the same pieces missing until I was suddenly pulled back before the old mage. I was not sure if it was this eerie ordeal or her lifeless eyes, but when she smiled it felt sinister, an inkling of dread twisting around my gut.

"You are Sun Blessed." She turned to the now excited king and nodded before disappearing around the dais, leaving me utterly confused. Augustus looked pale as I tried to piece together what just happened.

The king stood from his throne, pride swelling in his chest. "The day we've long awaited has finally come. A powerful match has been made, may this lead us towards our victory in the war with the North. We shall hold a ball in a week's time in honor of Prince Oryn's betrothal." He held his hand out for his wife, who took it and grabbed her young son, and they departed.

Shefferd began speaking to Augustus as my eyes found the clear blue of Ryn's. His earlier anger had transformed into pure fury. He stared me down with narrowed eyes for a moment longer and I felt my breath catch. He stormed away after his parents, and I was left alone with my "uncle" and the hand. The attendees filed out now that the spectacle was over.

Maël…I felt as if I were about to have a panic attack. My vision threatened to blacken as I tried to control my breathing.

I know, Alora, but this gives you a better opportunity to get the intel Vanya needs.

Fuck Vanya's intel, I didn't sign up to marry a prince.

A prince you've already bedded. He's not bad on the eyes—it could be worse.

Oh right, he could HATE me, which, by the way he looked at me, he does.

Love and hate often blur.

"…She will need to move into the palace immediately. We will send an escort for her belongings."

I snapped my head toward the two men wrapped in their discussion.

"She should return with me—it's not proper for her to live under the same roof as her...betrothed...before they marry." Augustus pulled at strings to get me out of here.

"I assure you, Denarius, she will be looked after with the utmost care. No one would dare harm her within the palace walls, and the king simply won't allow her to roam without proper protection."

Augustus let out a laugh. "You mean he doesn't want to risk her running away?"

"Are you suggesting your niece would commit treason by running from her duty?" Shefferd lifted an eyebrow at the bookkeeper.

"My uncle only jests. I would never consider turning my back on the crown and am honored to fulfill my duties to it." I answered. "May I have a moment with my uncle? Please?"

Shefferd obliged, "I'll be just outside the doors when you're ready for a tour. We'll get you settled in and send someone with your uncle for your things." He left us without another thought. Once we remained the only two in the room, I turned towards Augustus.

"You have time to run—I can distract them."

"If I run, they'll come after you, and I can't do that." Augustus began to argue but my attention was captured by a man who walked by the open doors speaking to a guard. He didn't even look my way, but I would have recognized his face anywhere. After all, he had plagued my nightmares every night for years. Captain Johan whispered to the guard as they passed, unaware of the reaper who was now locked on his every move.

"Lor?" Augustus' voice brought me back as Johan disappeared from view.

"Johan is here." My voice dropped to a whisper. "Send my things, but keep my items safe. I'll retrieve them myself."

Augustus nodded, recognizing the deadly promise in my words.

"And this marriage business?"

I shrugged, "Prince Oryn didn't seem thrilled about it. If I can get to Johan before the wedding, then there's not much left for me here." I looked at the old man, "Can you get to Bridgedale before then?"

"They'll expect the only family they're aware of to attend, and I'm not leaving you here alone, kid."

"We all must play our parts, Uncle," his eyes softened at the sentiment. "Promise me you'll leave after the ball. When I vanish, they'll seek retribution, and I won't let you become their target. I owe Vanya my life—I won't repay that debt by leading her brother to the executioner's block."

His brows pulled to a tight line, "How did you know?"

"Lucky guess—you guys look similar, have the same mannerisms but in different ways. The biggest tell was when you told me you were seeing your sister the night we met, and when I arrived, you introduced me as your niece to others."

"My sister never shortchanged your wit, lass." He pulled me into a hug; at first, I froze. Then I wrapped my arms around him and relaxed. "You're family to her, which means you're family to me. I'll stay for the ball. And I'll plan to stay with her shortly after. You better come back to us. Idiotic prophecies be damned, don't let yourself be a pawn in this madness of a war."

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