Page 28 of Shadows of Fate

Part of me wondered what it would be like to have a male who truly matched me in every sense of the word. One that didn’t make me feel as if my feelings and thoughts were invalid or too much.

I flinched slightly as he ran his hand from my wrist up my arm, stopping to rest his hand at the base of my throat. The contrast between the dagger before and his hand sent a shock through my body. His thumb began to gently rub small circles against my collarbone. If he moved his hand up any higher, it would be wrapped around my throat. Part of me wondered if that was what he was after—my submission. “That was quite the gift you left me in that alley tonight.”

I did my utmost to remain calm and not let my voice betray what was happening lower. “I’m glad you enjoyed it, My Lord. He was a traitor and deserved more than I offered him.”

His thumb suddenly stopped and he let out a breath I didn’t realize he’d been holding. As if he was bracing himself for what I may say and wasn’t expecting what I did. He was so close now that I could feel his breath whisper against my skin. “Thank you, my ice queen.”

I quickly spun around, removing his hold on me. If I could create some space between us, maybe I’d be able to have a civil conversation. Preferably one that didn’t result in us naked in my bed. Looking up at his face, I did my best to let my tone of voice portray the portrait of exasperation. Instead of the tone that screamedplease fuck me immediately, and I don’t mind if you use those shadows and fangs to do so.

“I didn’t do it for you. I did it because your court is lacking and needs to do better about keeping the shitty spies out of your rankings. You need to remind them who is in charge here, My Lord.” I let my eyes wander down the front of him where his pants let it be known exactly how my ‘little show’ affected him and then back up to his face.

He gritted his teeth and walked closer to me again. But he didn’t stop and before I could push him back, I was backed up against the wardrobe with him pressed against me. My lack of clothing was the first thing to come back to mind as his body was pressed against mine. The evidence I pointed out a few moments ago was now pressed against my hip bone.

Raiden’s hand trailed up my body until it wrapped around my throat, exactly how I had imagined it would before. I leaned my head back against the wood to look up at him. His dark eyes were like pools of never-ending midnight; I felt as if I could fall headfirst into them and gleefully never try to escape.

“I need you to get one thing very clear in your mind, my little ice queen. I have no problem letting my court oranyof my subjects knowexactlywho is in charge.” His hand squeezed my throat tighter, cutting off my oxygen. “And that includes bratty little females who need to be reminded of their place in my court.” His voice was deep and gravelly. It had my core clenching, and I knew he could smell it.

He quickly released my throat, and I inhaled a breath. Blinking a few times, I realized that his body was still pressed against mine and it was very clear to me that I was not the only one affected by this exchange. I could feel his cock growing stiffer at my hip and it took everything in my arsenal of self-control not to rub myself against him like a cat in heat.

Raiden’s hand came up and sat along my jaw. He looked into my eyes, and for a moment I wondered if he was going to kiss me. Honestly, at the rate this was going, I wouldn’t be opposed to the idea. This male drove me downright insane, but I wasn’t sure how much of it was in a negative way. It felt like it was more in the sense of, I’m not sure if I want to throw things at him or hold him at knife point until he drops to his knees for me, ready to worship me like the queen he’s named me.

But just as quickly as the thought appeared in my head, he let go and stepped away from me.

He looked down toward the floor for a moment, his hands clenching into a fist and releasing a few times. I could see the shadows shifting around his feet as he tried to regain control. “I came tonight because I want to work together. In an official capacity.”

He looked back at my face and I took a deep breath. “You? The ruler of the Court of Shadows? Want to work with me? A vigilante killer who’s taken out half the males in your court?”

He let out a dry laugh. “Yes. As you said so bluntly before, darling, I need to work harder at keeping the spies out of my court.”

“And how would that work exactly?”

“For starters, I want you at the manor. I’d like for you to meet my circle. It would be easier if we could go over everything we know and plan during the day so that at night, we can go out. Between my knowledge of the court and your ability to… interrogate, we should be able to solve this problem in no time.”

I felt as if being in close proximity to this male was a terrible idea. But he wasn’t wrong. Being able to dive into more during the day, safely, would be ideal.

“So where am I going exactly?” I asked after a moment, trying to play it coy.

He smirked. “You know where I live, Silvana. Let’s not play games with each other. I expect you there before sunrise. The guards are aware that you’ll be coming.” With that, he turned around and walked out of my bedroom. A few moments later, I heard the front door open and close. I felt his presence drop off the second the door closed, so I knew he was gone.

It wasn’t until then I realized that was the first time he’d said my name. And the way my name sounded coming out of his mouth? That was a dangerous game all on its own.

* * *

I’d started to leave Cedar’s house four separate times since Raiden had left. I understood why he wanted me to stay at the manor, it made perfect sense.

However, I’d spent over a hundred years now avoiding any and all court politics. It felt safer that way, and he wanted me to stay with him. It wasn’t sitting well in my stomach.

I knew I’d be safe with him, but the part about him being the ruler of the Court of Shadows put me on edge.

I let out a breath and looked at my bag. I’d packed the normal clothes I went out hunting in, a few sets of comfier clothes, my weapons, and that summed up my packing list.

I knew I needed to just go, get this mission over with, and then maybe I’d go to the Court of Ravens for a while, help Cedar fly around, and find his sire so he could drive a stake into his heart. Those types of things.

Shaking off the uneasy feeling, I grabbed my bag and headed toward Raiden’s manor.

I hadn’t gotten a good look at it when I’d left Allie there. I was a female on a mission and not a lot of darkness to do it in, so the look of the place the ruler of the Court of Shadows called home wasn’t interesting to me.

Now, however, I was interested.

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