Page 21 of Bonded to the Fallen Shadow King

"Can’t be any other way with you." He lifted his glass in a salute. "Here's to the Copper Queen of Chaos."

I snorted, just as the doors open again and Elara reentered the room.

Her dark-blue eyes fixed on Thalen, and she scowled. "I don't need to explain to you why this is inappropriate.” The authority in her voice made the air shiver despite the soft volume.

“She needs a friend.” Thalen stood. "Then again, do I really need to say that? Something broughtyouback. Unless it was my luminous presence?"

I half expected Thalen to put up a fight, but instead, he winked, bowed, and walked toward the door. At the last second, he turned and snagged a pitcher of dark liquid.

“Good night, Chaos," he sing-songed, and then slipped into the hallway.

Elara turned her attention to me. I felt an unexpected flutter of nerves as her gaze settled on my messy, food-covered self. She was so proper and delicate, and I was an honest-to-goodness mess. What was she even doing here? Had Vad sent her to punish me?

"It would be wise for you to show more discretion, get cleaned up, and take your rest." She spoke in her usual firm tone as she glanced around the room, then back to me. "Clothing has been provided for you in your room."

I blinked and bit my bottom lip, unsure what to say. Her presence was so different from Thalen's, and even more from Vad's.

"You don’t have to explain anything to me. I get it. I messed up." I brushed my bare foot along the wooden floor.

She placed her hand on a small clean spot on my shoulder. "Our ways aren't your ways, and I know this is hard." She gestured around the dark hall. Her voice held the same gentle note of patience as before.

It reminded me of Ember, who’d always been so understanding, even when I was… A sob built in my chest. No. I couldn’t think of my sister right now. I just needed to get back home.

“Tomorrow will be easier if you get your rest.” She nodded toward the door.

It wasn’t a threat. It was concern and advice, and better than what any of the others had offered.

“I’m s—” I started.

“Never apologize to or thank a fae, especially when the fault isn’t yours." She pressed her lips together and dropped her hand.

She was being kind, and my heart cracked a little more. But she was right. I couldn’t let my guard down. I was already weak enough.

"It is also important for you to pay attention to the tells, so I’ll quickly go over the basic ones." She looped an arm in mine and led me out the door as she continued. “When Sylvan and Aquen fae are spellcasting, the temperature drops. For Ignis and Terran Fae, the temperature rises. Most fae sense the change a few seconds before someone uses power—it will give you at least a short warning.”

I hung on her every word.

"For Shadow and Neutral Fae, the temperature stays the same, so it's trickier to predict them." Her face set into what had to be determination. She wasn’t messing with me. She was truly trying to help. "The wind blade Kaylen summons is nontraditional. It’s unusually sharp and dangerous, a combination of crystal and wind that carries deadly poison."

As we walked down the quiet hallway, I stumbled. "Why are you telling me this?" My voice was barely above a whisper.

Her expression softened, and she spoke with the same authority and grace that had made Thalen leave. "While I trust Fate to make the right choice for my brother's wife, I also believe in being proactive. I do not want to see cruelty rewarded."

"I doubt Vad would like you helping me," The words left my mouth before I could think better of it.

She smiled, her lips pulling a little higher on the left. “My brother would not be pleased if he knew I’d shared this, but as someone who is considered weak, I know what it’s like to be underestimated. Use that to your advantage. You are stronger than you know."

We walked to a door that had my name carved into a wood panel.

She opened it for me but caught my arm before I entered. “Guard your room.Neverassume you’re safe. That will help you survive.” Then she walked away, leaving me alone in the hallway.

My heart raced, and I rushed in and slammed the door shut, placing my back against it as I took in the room.

My eyes widened and my jaw dropped. It was easily twice as big as my room back home.

The large space was lit by glimmering crystals that hung like chandeliers. The massive bed was covered in black sheets with golden-satin pillows and a wooden headboard.

Black?

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