Page 38 of Ties of Shadow

Iawoke to the sound of Jamison fluttering about a new set of clothes. Not a silken dress this time, but instead thick linen trousers, a long-sleeved tunic, and a heavy wool cape were draped at the end of my bed. Two black boots with large buckles sat beneath them on the slate floor.

“If Her Royal Slumbering Almighty Highness could dress quickly, the Master is anxious to move out,”the bat said with an annoyed tone.

Disrobing, I threw myself into the tunic before quickly shoving my bare legs into the pant legs.

“If His Royal Flappiness would deign to find me some breakfast, I would appreciate it.”

“Fine.”

“Fine!” I shoved my socked feet into the boots, realizing my grumpiness this morning bordered on petulant. “Why are you even helping me if you’re going to be so…so…”

“Is it too early for the lady to make real sentences?”

“Sorude, Jamison. I don’t believe I’ve been rude to you.”

“Your existence offends me.”

“But why, Jamison?”

His tiny body flapped loudly before me, buffets of wind tickling my face.“Because if it wasn’t for you, my master—”

“That’s enough, Jamison. You may go meet the others in the foyer.” The gentle growl did nothing to soften the words, as the Shade filled the threshold with his presence, surrounded by waves of shadow. With a final angry chirp, Jamison flew past the Shade’s head and down the hall.

I twisted my hands awkwardly before dipping into a quick curtsy. “Good morning.” I wrapped my arms around my middle. My legs felt veryvisible,despite the length of the tunic and the tall, thick boots.

“It is morning, but no morning is good.” His green gaze slid from my eyes down to my boots and back. None of his shadows touched me, but my body responded as if to physical pressure. His eyes flicked back up to my burning face with a solid nod. “I wish to add the caveat that some things are good.”

I swallowed past the dryness of my throat. “No sunrise hikes for the master of darkness?” He took four slow steps toward me—too close. I could smell his soap. His shadows, somewhat fewer today, coiled around us and tickled my knees. His fingers threaded down the tips of my white hair.

“Would you turn, Dayspring?”

I frowned and turned a bit to the left.

“All the way.”

Heart hammering, I turned my back on our land’s most dangerous predator. The man who murdered with darkness. The one who shadowed the very sun. My neck prickled into goosebumps as his fingers swept past.

And then the Shade…braided my hair. All words fled my mind.

“I’m a poor ladies’ maid, I’m afraid. But you’ll look put together enough for the cave creatures.” His breath puffed hot against my cheek.

I nodded, my stomach too tight to speak much less breathe. With a quick tie, the hair was done, and the man stepped back to observe his work. “I’m out of practice.” A seed of unease crept into me—a wave of uncertainty. He smelled like a forest on a snowy night.

I turned to find his face a mask. Quickly dragging my hair forward, I smiled. “You did well, sir.” His unease lightened to pleasure.

“Let’s see if the others are ready to depart, shall we?” He offered his elbow, and I took it with shaky hands. We swept from the room like a couple entering a ball.

When the silence grew heavy, I asked, “Who taught you?”

The Shade chuckled. “Well, it wasn’t Uncle Koll, though his beard is certainly long enough.” That pine scent wafted inside again but this time accompanied with deep pain. “It…” His forearm rippled under my hand as his hands fisted and released. His laugh sounded strained. “We all come from somewhere, Dayspring.”

I hadn’t really considered his origins. Monsters don’t just appear out of nowhere. “A sister?” He shook his head. “Your mother.” The Shade swallowed, and slowly nodded.

Tracing the braid with my fingertips, he watched as we paused in the hall. “Well, she’d be proud of you. The braid is very nice.” Raw agony passed across his face and through my chest for only a moment before the classic side-smile reemerged.

“I am an amazing specimen, Dayspring. A gift to all mankind.”

I smiled, and my heart lifted with a burgeoning happiness. I liked to see his smile too much.

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