Page 72 of Shadows of Fate

Bastian shook his head for a moment. “Did you know that when Raiden saw you that night in the alley, he sat in his office for almost the full day sketching your face? He didn’t know your name, but he said it took him almost half that time to get the fire in your eyes on the parchment correctly.” He was quiet for another moment. “Raiden doesn’t love easily, Silvana. After his family… I think he’s afraid to love anyone who doesn’t have the ability to protect themselves. That may sound selfish of him, but trauma will do that to a person. He loves that fire, Silvana. Don’t put it out for anyone. He’d never forgive himself if you did.”

I looked away from the agony in his eyes and toward our destination. I let the anxiety go as much as I was able to because Bastian was right. Raiden had loved me from the moment he saw me torture another male for information. I couldn’t stop being that person just because I was nervous about how others would perceive me. He needed that female, and so did I.

As we neared the castle, I thought back to the dream I’d had of him. He knew I was coming, and he didn’t have a doubt in his eyes about my abilities.

We met with a few guards once we neared the castle entrance. Sliding off my horse, Cedar greeted the guards by name, letting them know why we were there and who I was. Nodding, they turned to summon someone to escort us in.

A few moments later, a small willowy female in a light green cotton dress that stopped just above her bare feet returned to meet us, a smile upon her face. She had flaming red curls and bright spring-green eyes. She didn’t look to the males on either side of me, though, she just stared into my eyes—as if she’d seen me before and was eager to do so again.

“Hello, Silvana, I’m pleased to know the ice queen has arrived safely to our borders. Please, come inside. I’m Anwen.” Her voice was soft and melodic, exactly as I expected it to be. Everything about her screamed kindness, but the fact that she knew the nickname Raiden had for me set me on edge.

Instead of responding, I just dipped my chin in acknowledgment and followed her inside the castle.

Walking inside the vast estate was exactly what I imagined. While the gray stone should have made the space cold and intimidating, the residents had it tastefully decorated in deep shades of forest and moss green with small silver accents everywhere.

Small torches lit the hallways along with long, sage-green carpets to warm up the stone throughout. Small vines peeked in through the windows and wrapped up along the walls and sconces. I smiled at the small bits of nature they allowed to enter their home.

We passed many doors that branched off from the long hall, but eventually, the hall opened up into a large square room. The ceilings were tall, and small balconies came out along the upper level that wrapped around the edges of the room. I assumed people stood up there to watch the court proceed because this was clearly a throne room. A dais took up the back half of the room, where two equally sized beautiful plush thrones sat. They were made with dark wood and accented with deep forest green seats. I’d need to tell Raiden to upgrade his throne; those looked more comfortable than his onyx stone.

The windows were much larger in this space, letting in moonlight as we entered. I silently wondered what they did during the day to block out the sunlight.

“If you take a peek into the sides of the windows, we have stones that slide out before the sun rises, closing up all the windows. It makes the castle feel like quite the tomb, but of course that’s better than being dead,” a male voice sounded from across the room, a hint of amusement in his tone.

He was a tall male, nearly as tall as Raiden, but slim. I had an idea his muscles were more toned than bulk, though. He exuded power, and I knew off instinct alone that this was the ruler of the Court of Ravens. Paine was pale, with dark brows and a matching bushy beard that covered most of his face, small braids were intertwined into it. The rest of his head lacked any hair, though, which just made his light hazel eyes pop even more. There was no denying he was a handsome male, but the female walking out next to him? She was in her own league.

She was the same height as me. Her long hair was in many tight tiny braids that reached all the way down her back. Her skin was the color of a dark brown hessonite stone and her eyes were a deep glimmering amber. She smiled at me from beside Paine and something about this female just screamed family.

“Silvana. I’m Arabella. I’ve been so looking forward to finally meeting with you,” she said, her voice breathy and full of innate power. She crossed the room and took my hands gently in hers—normally I hated being touched, but something about her screamed we’d been here before together.

“I know it was a long journey and you’ve been through quite the ordeal lately.” She glanced back at her mate, nodding slightly, and then back toward me. “I know it sounds pathetic, but I can’t imagine how you’re feeling. However we can help, please just let us do so.”

I was overwhelmed and unsure how to even begin.

“I’d like to speak to the visionary you have, if that’s okay with you both. Micah told me they might be able to help,” I said, trying to imbue confidence in my voice that was lacking. I wasn’t expecting these people to be so kind, and it was breaking down walls I normally kept solidly in place.

Arabella nodded, but Paine spoke up first. “Absolutely. Although, you’ve already met her. Our visionary is Anwen.” Paine pointed to the small redhead that led us into the castle. She was sitting on the ledge of the dais, a smile on her face as if she just knew it was all going to be just fine.

I stared at her for a moment, unsure where to even begin.Hi, can you tell me how to get my mate back? Is he okay? What the fuck is going on?None of those sounded like a good attempt at receiving help from the female.

She tilted her head to the side, a curious look in her eyes. Her hands folded in her lap. “Have you had any strange dreams lately, Silvana?” Her melodic voice asked.

“Strange dreams like what?” I replied.

A knowing smile curved her lips. “I believe you know exactly the type of dream I seek to know of. Don’t worry, Ice Queen. Your mate will be along shortly. You fed him after all, and nothing empowers males more, isn’t that right, Paine?”

I looked quickly at Paine, trying to figure out what riddle she spoke.

“Can you two dream share?” Paine asked with a brow arched and a smile curving his face.

I felt the blush reach my cheeks as I recalled the dream I’d had before the sun set this evening and the marks I’d woken up with indented into my skin.

“I-I wasn’t sure if it was really him or not… but I woke up with marks that only could’ve come from him.” My heart started racing at what Anwen was implying. I’d been too anxious to hope it was real, even with the evidence. False bravado had been my friend with this entire situation prior to now.

“Oh, I have a feeling Raiden will be along shortly.” Arabella smiled. “Let me show you to your rooms. I’m sure you’d love to get cleaned up. Then we have much to discuss. Anwen, this evening?”

The visionary looked off in the distance for a moment and shrugged. “Many variables. Perhaps. Even so, you two have more to discuss prior to all of that.”

I stared at all of them for a moment and then looked over at Cedar and Bastian. They seemed just as confused.

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