Page 49 of Bonded to the Fallen Shadow King

* * *

The soft click of the door woke me, followed by the scraping groans of the servants pushing the nightstand out of the way once more.

I sat up fast, hands balled, ready for a fight. When I saw the three servants squeeze through the opening, I relaxed.

They carried a breakfast tray and a jade dress, moving with that same eerie coordination they had before.

I stood numbly and took the dress from the one servant while the other two set out breakfast on the small table.

The moment I lifted the dress, I paused. I’d known it was a dress, but I hadn’t expectedthis.

It was beautiful, perfect for a Renaissance fair, but I couldn't imagine fighting in it. It had several layers and long sheer sleeves that would fall past my wrists. A vine design had been embossed across the bodice, and it had to weigh at least fifteen pounds. It was heavier than anything I’d ever worn before, and made of sturdy fabric.

“Let us help, miss,” the closest servant murmured.

I wanted to protest, but I wasn’t sure I could figure out how to put this thing on with all the layers. I removed my nightgown and stepped into the new dress. Cool and deft fingers laced the back and adjusted the skirts so they fell correctly.

As soon as they were done, they took a step back.

Even though I loved the color, I didn’t want to look in the mirror. I already didn’t know who I was becoming, and the last thing I needed was to see a person I didn’t recognize staring back at me.

I ran my hands down my stomach, and my thumb got stuck in a hole. I sighed bitterly. Of course, I would manage to destroy the dress before I even made it outside my room.

I glanced down to see the damage...and the corners of my mouth tipped upward.

This dress had pockets!

A servant kneeled and slipped thin black leather shoes onto my bare feet.

When all the servants stepped back, I spun around with my hands in my pockets. Who’d known such a little thing could make me so happy?

My joy was cut short by the gurgling of my stomach. Intense hunger pains shot through me, reminding me that I hadn’t taken the time to eat dinner before my emotional burnout last night.

Knowing I needed strength and energy, I grabbed a piece of bread with apple strawberry jam and devoured it. The sweet and fruity taste reminded me of the treats Ember and I baked back home. As I picked up a second piece, one of the servants handed me the red tea that the physicians had given us last night. Needing any additional healing I could get, I guzzled the hot tea, enjoying the contrast of the nutty herbal flavor with the sweets. I ate the second piece of bread in two huge bites.

The servants stared at the floor, and I became eager to get away from them. “Ascension Hall?”

The middle servant nodded.

I hurried out of my room, passing by guards. Two of them flanked me as I walked toward my next personal hell.

A tingle of awareness shot through me once more, and I glanced over my shoulder. Neither of the guards seemed alarmed, and, of course, I came up with nothing.

Staring forward, I yanked on my wolf. She seemed restless but not as alarmed as last night.

The black and gold halls seemed less endless. My shoulders tensed. I hoped I wasn’t getting used to being here, because I didn’t like what that meant. I didn’t want to get used to anything in this world. I needed to win—survive—and get the hell back to Ember.

As I stepped into the Ascension Hall, my gut did that same uncomfortable flip as the first time I’d been here, though now it was for different reasons. My allies were clustered to the right in one corner of the room, away from Kaylen and her mean girl posse. A couple other women stood awkwardly at the back of the hall as if unsure where to go. All of us were dressed in similar styles and all different colors.

Atugyanked in my chest, and without meaning to, I glanced up at the balcony. The usual people were there, Vad looking more sullen and stoic than ever. The memory of his body pressed against mine and him breathing in my scent knocked the breath from me. My body warmed and my chest heaved, wanting him to swoop down here and finish what he’d started last night.

His stormy gaze met mine, and the jolt of attraction bolted through me despite him not being anywhere near me. I licked my lips, and saw his breath hitch.

Thalen leaned over and blocked my view of Vad. He flashed the bird at me all over again.

My lips twitched into a reluctant smile, and my tension eased just a bit. Somehow it no longer seemed like a dismissive gesture. I could almost hear him calling me Chaos in that singsong tone.

I lifted my hand and returned the gesture, and he beamed, bright amber eyes glowing like torchlight. He placed a hand over his heart and mouthed,That’s my girl.

---