Page 65 of Once the Skies Fade

I’d never been able to do that with my shadows before now—to peek out from within them while remaining hidden to others. I didn’t know if it was some change from the healers’ tonic or from the simple act of being more in control of my powers, but I’d been thrilled by the prospect.

Spinning around, I pushed myself to put distance between Matthias and me. He obviously had one of the protective pendants—black vials filled with my blood to protect anyone who held them—and as unnerving as I found him and his nickname for me, I couldn’t help but feel a slight twinge of relief that he still lived. Maybe it was because he’d been the only one besides Graham to show me any kindness. Not that I wanted kindness from any of these males, but it had been surprisinglynice to be treated like an actual fae and not the monster many saw.

After a few hundred meters I stopped and bent at the hips to rest my hands on my knees to catch my breath. Using my shadows in this way—maintaining my sight while remaining concealed—apparently took more energy than usual. I wouldn’t be able to hold them in place if I didn’t slow down and pace myself.

“Your Majesty?”

I knew that voice all too well. Graham.

Could he see me? I peered up through my lashes to see my shadows still held in place.

I didn’t answer, didn’t move.

“I know it’s you, Calla,” he said, sweetly. “You shouldn’t be here.”

I gritted my teeth, my hands balling into fists at my knees. He wasn’t my advisor anymore. He’d lost that privilege when he’d insisted on entering this ridiculous tournament. Slowly I angled my head, spotting him over my shoulder. The trees and vines paid him no attention. Of course, he’d found a vial. I was glad he wasn’t dead, but I was in no mood to speak to him now, especially when he had the gall to try to tell me what to do.

Sucking in one last, long breath, I prepared to pull my shadows back and remind him of the choice he’d made.

“Is that—is that the queen?” a new voice asked from behind Graham. I only caught a brief glimpse of him before Graham spun around, drew his blade, and threw it into the male’s gut in one swift motion.

My mouth fell open; my breath caught somewhere between shock and apprehension. I’d only ever witnessed his wielding of words––never a weapon.

He didn’t hesitate to walk over and retrieve his dagger, pulling a haunting groan from the dying fae. Bending low,Graham yanked the medallion from the dying fae’s neck. Whether Graham had killed the male to win the tournament or to protect me, I didn’t know, and at this moment, I didn’t much care. I just needed to get out of here before anyone else could spot me and potentially give the Assembly reason to accuse me of meddling.

Pulling in one last deep breath, I straightened and took off once more.

I pushed myself harder, ignoring the beads of sweat sliding down my temples, but the effort was too much. My shadows were fading quickly. If Graham had followed me, he’d be able to see me soon. Ahead, though, I could see the first slivers of light through the trees. I was almost there. No one could follow me beyond the edge without risking their place in the competition. My shadows grew weaker and weaker with each pounding footstep until they disappeared completely, and I squinted against the too-bright light, only realizing I’d exited the forest when someone stepped in front of me, his arms outstretched.

Unable to stop myself in time, I slammed into his muscled chest with a yelp.

I pulled back, panting as my hand flew to my chest, and stared up at him.

The man—unnervingly tall and broad-shouldered—towered over me, the afternoon sun accentuating the lightness of his blond hair, cut short and neatly styled around his rounded ears. His stone-like arms dropped slowly to his sides as he stepped back, flashing me a cocky smirk beneath his amber eyes.

“Asher,” I said, more breathlessly still than I would have liked.

His expression darkened, his smirk shifting into a frown as his eyes flicked to the forest and back again.

“Your Majesty.” His voice was thick honey on a knife’s edge. “Someone chasing you?”

“No,” I said, “nothing like that.”

“What are you doing in the forest, anyway?”

“Being stupid, apparently,” I muttered to myself.

“What was that?” he asked.

I dropped my head to the side and squinted up at him. “Is your shifter hearing failing in your old age?”

His frown deepened into a scowl only to turn up into a wide toothy grin as he belted out a hearty laugh. “Hardly, just as I’m hardly old.”

“Older than me.”

“Not hard to do, princess.” He flinched, and bowed his head. “Apologies, queen. Old habits die hard.”

I lifted my hand to his forearm and started to assure him I didn’t mind, but then footsteps—heavy and quick—approached us from inside the forest.

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