Page 43 of Daughter of Shadows and Ash

"The mage disagrees. Come on," she set the tome down, then ushered me out of the library with haste. "Your castle tour awaits."

I followed her quietly, her earlier words ringing in my head. Though shadows coursed through my veins like liquid night,I couldn't believe they'd turn the tides of war. What could darkness offer except more destruction?

Sweet, naive Luella, holding fast to dreams of peace while the king's appetite for power twisted like a serpent in the dark. Her people's salvation would mean another's destruction.

The prophecy's mention of shadows and flame sent a chill of recognition across my skin, but I shoved that truth into the darkest corners of my mind, focusing instead on fortifying the walls around my heart before facing my mate again.

Chapter 31

Ryn's tour of my new home was surprisingly anticlimactic. Though I'd worried over resisting the magnetic pull between us, he kept his word, never pushing beyond the boundaries I set for us. He let me set the pace without a single complaint. When I permitted him to hold my hand, it seemed to quiet the insistent tug of the thread between us, though my body hummed with an aching need for more.

Day after day, I spent time with Ryn, who—much to my chagrin—discovered my complete lack of directional sense. If my perpetual confusion frustrated him, his patient smile never wavered as he guided me through the same corridors until he was reasonably sure I wouldn't lose my way. When I wasn't with Oryn, I was either being paraded around by the king and queen like their prized pet, or finding refuge in Luella's companionship.

Each morning, Ryn escorted us to the library, a ritual I found myself cherishing despite myself. He insisted it was to give Magnus a break, though I knew full well he had arranged for someone else to take the night watch.

The prince had found his loophole—satisfying our bond through these careful moments of proximity. Each secondwithout him became an eternity, and I found myself counting breaths until our next meeting, even as I fought against the longing. The mate bond thrummed beneath my skin like a living thing, each moment of resistance leaving me physically drained and emotionally raw.

At night I snuck out of my room, finding it easier without Magnus' hawk-like senses. In the quiet dark, I skulked around the castle. All traces of Johan had vanished since that day in the throne room. Moving around undetected became easier after I snuck out to the bookshop to retrieve my knives, leathers, and boots. The cool leather against my skin and the familiar weight of my blades at my hips felt like coming home.

I sent what information I could to Vanya, but it seemed standard for a king trying to expand his territory. Army movements here, terrible assassination ideas there. None of which seemed to yield the desired result. Sunneva continued decimating towns on the edge of Esmeray, leaving no room for doubt on how powerful the Sunnevan army was. The king, however, seemed on edge, erupting at a moment's notice at Davian's jokes or lecturing Oryn about seizing his destiny. His eyes, once steady and calculating, now darted about the room as if searching for unseen threats. His fingers drummed incessantly on the arm of his throne, a constant staccato of unease.

Today, Ryn came to fetch me before lunch, a wild grin on his face. "My lady," he held out a hand for me as I stepped through my doorway. "I was hoping you'd be up for a little adventure today."

"A prince after my own heart," I mused. "Do we have time for an adventure when the ball is tonight?"

"I promise we'll be back in time." Ryn led us out of the castle grounds to the stable within the main walls. A young man brought a tall white horse out to Oryn, who accepted it with a smile. He steadied his steed as I climbed into the saddle. He slidin behind me, his muscular thighs pressing against mine. We rode as if being chased, and I couldn't help but smile and laugh with glee as he guided us through the town streets towards the city gates. The wind whipped through my dark hair, making me long for my own handsome steed. Though the updates from the stable were positive, I still worried and longed to ride him. Miss Gregoria packed my schedule day after day, leaving me barely able to continue my correspondence with Vanya. Sending useful information without being obvious had become increasingly difficult, and I had no doubt the head of household scrutinized all my letters. The walls of the palace now felt like a gilded cage, suffocating my freedom and purpose.

As we neared the main gates, Ryn steered us left, heading towards the stables. There, Raven stood tall, his eyes locked on me, hooves stomping the hard ground. Dust swirled around him and the poor stable hand struggling to maintain his calm and hold onto the reins.

"Raven!" Waiting for Oryn to dismount felt like torture. I didn't miss the feel of his hands on my waist as I swung my leg over the saddle and jumped to the ground. His horse was large, but Raven towered over it like a king. I threw my arms around the warhorse, cooing over his handsomeness and how much I'd missed him. He didn't seem to have the heart to punish me, nuzzling me with his nose and sniffing my pockets for treats. In that moment, I felt awful. I'd always brought him treats. Had I known I'd see him today, I would've brought a stash.

Oryn cleared his throat and nudged my arm behind me, placing some treats in my hands. I beamed at him.

"Thank you." I could almost feel my eyes watering as I turned back to hold my offerings out to Raven, who took them greedily.

"I've been curious about him ever since Davian mentioned him." Ryn gave his own horse a handful of food before coming to greet Raven. The warhorse eyed him warily, sizing him upwith his head held high. After a few beats, he let out a snort and pushed at the prince's pocket where the treats had originated. "I think he likes me." Ryn laughed as Raven accepted a treat from his hand. He patted the steed's neck, looking over his expansive back.

"Hard not to when you bring such yummy treats." I couldn't keep my eyes off my horse. "I've missed you," I said to him, receiving a low whinny in response. I looked over to Oryn, "Do we have time for a ride?"

"I was hoping you'd say that." He summoned the stable hand to fetch my saddle. "I thought it might be good to bring him home with us. That way, you can see him every day and be able to ride him more. And if Miss Gregoria has you too busy, Davian or I can sneak out and feed him treats on your behalf."

He flashed me that gorgeous smile of his, and I lit up with happiness. I threw my arms around his neck, his arms sliding around my waist to press me against him. Before I could think better of it, I planted my lips on his. What started as more of a peck turned into him claiming my mouth. His hand came up to twist into my hair, deepening our kiss.

"I'll do whatever I can to make you smile like you just did, Lor. No matter what, you are more than duty to me. You are everything."

I kissed him again, unable to resist. I allowed myself to enjoy this moment, this wonderfully happy moment, at least until reality came crashing down. Because I would find Johan, and I would kill him. When Oryn realized what I'd done, I was sure he'd wish he'd never crossed paths with me.

You don't understand what a man in love will do, Alora. Not everything is so black and white.

Goody, mind Maël was in one of his know-it-all moods.Most people are not so accepting of my occupation. I wouldn't be surprised if I was on a wanted list here.

Oh, you most definitely are, he let out a short laugh,but that doesn't mean he'd be so quick to send you to the dungeon. Take it from someone who knows, you're a hard girl to walk away from.His voice softened, a hint of longing creeping in.Trust me, Lor. I've tried.

It'sno surprise Raven and I left Oryn and his horse in the dust as we took off for a friendly race. By the time he matched our pace, he was grumbling about cheating. I didn't tell him Raven's origins. I just laughed and said my mount must've had some pent up energy to burn off.

Oryn escorted me back to my rooms, leaving me to prepare for our ball. Never in my life did I imagine attending my own ball, being paraded as the king's prized future daughter-in-law. Though Oryn might see me as a person, the king saw only his ticket to victory, a weapon to wield. He didn't even know what that power truly meant.

The image of the blindingly white flames flashed across my mind. I imagined them licking up the very walls of this golden palace. Could they obliterate it like they did the cottages? Would the castle still crumble to ash? Somehow, I knew nothing in this realm could withstand my fire. A shiver ran its way down my spine as I recalled the experience. My question would go unanswered. Never again would I dare call upon that power. I'll stick to my shadows—at least there, I know what lurks in the dark.

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