Page 76 of Ties of Shadow

I patted my dress with my fingers, waiting. “Define everything, please.”

He slowly rose, his hands fidgeting before him. “Oh, that whole business at the temple.”

“Where you tried to sacrifice my life, and had your men chase me down and shoot at me like a deer?”

His face flamed red, and his voice sounded stuck on the ball of guilt in his throat. I waited patiently. He scratched at his neck.

“That business?” I prompted.

“Yes, that.” He tugged his collar and fixed his cuff. “I am…sorry. Very sorry. I—There’s no excuse. I abused your friendship, and I placed a higher value on my bitter desperation than your life. I listened to Father and believed a version of the prophecy that…that was misapplied.” To his credit, his shoulders slumped in shame. His emotions fell from him in waves as I dipped quietly into his mind. He was being genuine. “I deserve no mercy.”

My eyebrow peaked and I squinted at him. “Maybe jailtime with the seers who manipulated the ceremony?” At least those crones were under investigation—a small victory.

His jaw worked. “Yes, maybe that.” He shifted, uncomfortable for a moment, then his shoulders slumped again. “If that feels like justice, then I will sit under your judgment.”

I mulled over his words for a moment, recalling that day in the temple in vivid detail. The pain was etched in my soul, even as the scars had faded. My mind raced to the present, flashes of my time with Shea,of our completed bond. “You designed my death to serve your own purpose. You and your father abused a prophecy to fit your goals.” He nodded slowly. “But even before that, you didn’t protect me, you used my friendship for your own comfort and not mine, and when others laughed at me, you never stopped them.” Shame burned his cheeks. “I always believed in you. So for now, I will withhold judgment.” I snorted. “We also know your father wouldn’t let you rot in jail. Leon, you have a choice before you—a choice about what kind of leader, and what kind of friend, you want to be. You were wrong. You deserve a consequence you will not receive, and you certainly do not deserve my mercy or friendship.” The line between his brows deepened as I scanned his face. “But I forgive you. I know who you once were, and I believe you can be better.”

He looked shocked.

“I forgive you.” I repeated. “I miss my friend, Leon. Do the right thing and show me who you can be. Discernment is rare, Leon, but more precious than luz. Fight for what is right, for the vulnerable, for the weak. That is how you become a good king.”

He nodded. “I will.” He bowed again. “Aelia, thank you. I can do this. And maybe one day, I can earn your trust again.”

I grasped his hand in mine. “I hope so.”

His face was determined, and as he walked away, his steps seemed a little lighter and his head held a little higher. I glanced over to see the queen watching us. Her proud smile warmed my soul. She brought her fist to her chest and bowed slightly. I returned the motion.

“Dayspring, where are you?”Shea’s voice sounded agitated.

“Ballroom. Why? You’re supposed to be here too.”

“Come outside.”

Winking at the queen, I gracefully swept to the stairwell. The door shut, blocking the ballroom light, but my magic shimmered,highlighting—oh my. Uncle Koll and Chef stood before me. In each other’s arms. Flushed and looking sheepish. They jumped away from one another like they’d been burned.

I stuttered, “Uh. Okay. That’s…yes. Bye.”

Rushing down the stairs, I heard giggling from both people behind me. I shook my head. If I was able to find happiness, I hoped that they would too. Several floors later, the door at the garden clanged open, and the late evening sunlight turned the world pink. Shadows tumbled at my feet. My glorious, thunderous Shade stood casually leaning against the wall. Bertha was rolling around with a knitted ball.

“Finally.” He paced forward, stalking me to the other side, where he backed me against the stones. “I don’t like sharing you. We’re leaving.” He ducked his head against mine and trailed kisses along my jaw.

I laughed, breathily, desperately trying to remember why we couldn’t just leave. “The ball.”

“Don’t care.”

“The bonding ceremony.”

“Don’t care.”

“Your mother will be there.”

His kisses paused. “Okay, I do care, but we leave at seven-fourteen.”

“It starts at seven.”

“Perfect.”

The kisses found their way to my lips, and my whole being glowed. A deep chuckle rumbled from his chest as I pulled his vest toward me, hungry for more.

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