Page 78 of Shadows of Ruin

I ran my fingers over the design, the stone.Damn it, Kade.

Lifting the necklace, I fastened the clasp around my neck. It fell perfectly, resting in the center of my chest.

Heaving myself from the bed, I dressed quickly, determined to find Kade to say thank you and then to force him to drag me to Cassandra as soon as possible.

Running my hands over my training attire, in the mirror I nodded once at my reflection. It would be impossible to hide my dagger at my thigh today, so instead I kneeled, hiding it within my boot.

I would always be prepared.

I touched the necklace once more, deciding to slip it beneath my shirt, just in case the king recognized it. I had no idea how we’d play this now after last night. I’m pretty sure the scene on the dance floor didn’t make the situation between Kade and me less obvious.

I’d been housed around the corner of the hallway toKade’s chambers, so it wouldn’t take long to reach his door, but I paused when I heard voices lingering in the hall.

Silently, I stalked the rest of the way to the corner, halting at the brash tone of the king echoing down the corridor that led to Kade’s door.

“You will secure a wife,” King Dargan said sternly, “now.”

Kade huffed. “Marriage seems like the last thing we should be worried about right now.”

“You think you know best?” Dargan sneered. “You must produce an heir. You have an obligation to this family, to this kingdom. You must play your role in protecting the people of Atheria.”

Where in the Fates was Atheria?

“Have I not done my part? The Monster of Mysthaven isn’t enough for you?”

A cough behind me startled me and I jumped, slapping my hand to my mouth to keep a scream from giving away my position in the hall.

“Hasn’t anyone ever told you, it’s impolite to eavesdrop?” an unknown man said to me.

“I, uh?—”

I only took in the stranger for a second. His long flowing robe swished as he flung it behind him. His brown hair curled underneath a strange black cap. Before I could try to place him, he grabbed me by the arm and forced me around the corner to face Kade and the king.

“I found this one lurking around the corner, my king,” the man sneered. “Your conversation is no longer private.”

I shrugged his hand off my arm, freeing myself from this intruder. “Perhaps having a conversation in the hallway is the problem, not me simply walking to a meeting with the prince and stumbling upon this.” I snapped my mouth shut the minute the words were out.Great job acting proper, Lana.

“Why good morning, Princess Illiana,” the king said with his eerie smile. “Curiosity is not a sin, but…” He took a few steps toward me and reached for me, but I stepped back. His eyes flared before narrowing. “I suggest you heed this warning and not eavesdrop like that again.”

Kade’s shadows leaked from his palms before he balled them into fists. “Careful, Father. It sounds like you are threatening a royal guest in your home.” Kade tried speaking evenly, but there was a slight tremor in his voice, betraying his emotions. “We wouldn’t want to be inhospitable. Diplomatic relations and all that.”

The king looked between us and smiled that sickeningly saccharine smile once more. “Now, Tomas, what did you need so urgently before our guest interrupted?”

“You are needed in the study, Your Majesty,” Tomas announced. “We are late for our weekly meeting with the royal advisors.”

“Ah, is it time already?” The king turned to face Kade. “Do listen to what I say, boy. Or I’ll bring you to heel as a reminder.”

“Come, Your Majesty, allow me to lead the way,” Tomas said, bowing his head and holding out his arm in the direction they intended to travel.

Before they left the hall, the king turned his attention to me. “Have a good day, Princess.”

Silently, I bowed my head as he passed.

The two scurried down the hall, leaving Kade and me alone.

The man who’d ravaged me against the stone walls of the castle garden seemed a dream compared to the stoic face before me. “We need to go see Cassandra,” Kade said, pivoting toward a set of stairs at the opposite end of the hall from where the king had disappeared.

“Wait, Kade.” I grabbed his arm, forcing him to pause. His hardened facial features softened as he looked me in the eyes, and my body came alive. Heat crept up my neck. “Thank you.”

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