Page 5 of Bonded to the Fallen Shadow King

I straightened my stance. Fiery anger burned through me as my shadow magic coiled within. In the end, nothing would be good enough for him. Sometimes I wondered why I still bothered. "Fate and the council will choose the final one. Until then, I intend to be involved as little as possible and give my attention to situations that truly matter."

"Fate did not choose your mother. I did. And she was everything this kingdom needed, even though many disagreed with my choice." His voice rasped at the end, harshening with his breath. Moisture collected in the corners of his eyes, their brightness dimming as it often did when he started reminiscing.

I firmed my mouth. I did not want to hear anything about my mother. She was a good woman in many respects, but she’d been weak when it mattered most. She was the one who had taught me how dangerous love could be. How swiftly it could distract you from the simplicity of duty and tie you into knots that nothing could undo. "The—"

A soft rap sounded at the door. At my father's order, the door opened, and Elara, my only sibling, entered. She was slim, with delicate features that made her dark-blue eyes seem too large. She wore an elegant gown of dark gray, and her dark hair was braided. Her palm pressed flat against the door as she sought more strength from the shadows. "Forgive the intrusion, but I need a word with Vad."

My father waved her in without looking at her. "Take your time. My conversation is pointless with this one."

I restrained the urge to roll my eyes as I turned my focus to her. "What is it, Elara?"

She pressed her pink lips into a tight line as her attention darted between us. She took a few steps, then stopped at the golden fireplace right across from father. "All but the last bridal candidate are here. Her arrival should be imminent. The rest have gathered in the Ascension Hall. The council has suggested it would be wise for you to greet them." Her palm flattened against the wall now, her fingers tensing. Beneath her glamour, her lips took on the faintest shade of purple.

Feck. She was fading again. It hadn’t been that long since her last treatment either.

I strode closer, letting my shadow cross hers. As it did, I flicked my hand and channeled a tendril of the shadow source toward her. "Fine. I will prepare to greet them."

Her breathing deepened, and that tinge of purple faded as she caught the energy.

Father’s eyes narrowed. "Elara, continue to the Ascension Hall. Your brother will join you shortly.”

She bowed her head and left. No sooner had the door closed than Father seized my upper arm, his fingers digging into my sleeve. It barely registered as more than a pinch, his grip weaker than ever before. "Stop coddling her. All you do is put her at risk. If someone saw you strengthening her, they would know without doubt something is wrong with her, and that would make her more vulnerable.”

I glared at him. "They’ll also know it if her legs buckle when she is in the Ascension Hall. Her condition is worsening. She needs more support. We need better answers. And I did not do it publicly. There’s no one else here." No one with sense, at least.

Father simply shook his head and spun away. “Nothing can be done for her. If she’s strong, she will survive. If she isn’t…” The muscles in his jaw twitched, the emotions displayed on his face signifying a further lack of control. “You can’t save everyone, Vad. And you’re wasting time and energy on matters that, in the end, will result in nothing but heartache. Wasted attention. Wasted effort. Wasted power.”

“I have neglected nothing. All my duties have received the necessary attention, and your condition and Elara’s illness are matters of grave concern for this kingdom and for me. If our enemies—”

Another frustrated snarl escaped his withered lips.

There was nothing else to be gleaned from this discussion. He’d admitted more than I’d guessed he would, and the answer alarmed me all the more. We were running out of time, and he wanted me to focus on choosing a wife and maintaining appearances.

I marched out the door to find my younger sister still in the hall, examining the runes on a dark purple vase as if fascinated. She had one hand resting in the pooled shadows from the great beam, likely drawing strength from it.

Elara tilted her head toward me when I closed the door. “I can tell you’re looking forward to this more than ever.” She was stronger than Father gave her credit for. More cunning as well, but maintaining a fierce demeanor when one was in constant pain took a toll on even the strongest. Few understood her full potential. Though if matters did not improve soon, not even she would realize it.

“Just as much as I always have,” I countered and offered her my arm.

She accepted, allowing me the honor of walking her into the hall. I kept my steps measured so she wouldn't have to strain herself to keep up.

On the other side of the black and gold stone hall, Silus and Thalen—my two closest friends—were deep in conversation, likely plotting something. Silus’s expression was somber as always, and Thalen spoke with a sneaky grin and graceful gestures. They had been my friends for as long as I could remember. Sometimes I envied them and their more relaxed demeanors, but being the prince came with particular costs.

Thalen sprang forward, arms outstretched. The red collar of his tunic made his skin seem pale as ivory and brought out the gold notes in his amber eyes. “Twenty-five, perhaps twenty-six fae brides, all ready to fight for your attention. I thought we might have to drag you from the shadows, but I see the lovely Elara has already done it for us.” He bowed theatrically at the waist, his wavy silver hair sliding over his face. He kissed Elara’s hand, then spun her in a graceful circle that made her charcoal skirt flare around her ankles. “I see that you’ll be enchanting all the rest of us with your beauty, Elara.” He said it easily, though I knew he harbored no attraction to her. She was like a sister to him, and, outside of my friends, she received little attention at all because she was seen as weak. That didn’t stop Thalen from playing his part. He cocked his head, eyes widening. “But…wait…is that an eyelash on your cheek? Silus, help her. This requires a delicate touch.”

Silus’s expression sharpened. His focus shifted to Elara. Though he tended to favor more neutral colors, layering charcoal and black, today he was wearing a deep-blue cravat that brought out the red undertone of his dark skin. He inclined his head, his pupils fixed on Elara as Thalen cut in front of me. “We do have something exceptionally important to discuss,” he said. “It’s the most important qualification of all for this future bride of yours.”

“Take it up with Fate. I have no say in the matter.” I pressed Thalen back and looked to Silus, who had just cupped one finger beneath Elara’s chin and tipped it up as he studiously examined her face. A soft rosiness spread over her cheeks.

“You could always let me choose for you,” Thalen continued with a grin as he guided me along. “I vow that the Thalen stamp of approval would ensure you endless...well, if not happiness, entertainment. The fights alone could be magnificent! Just trust me.”

“The last time I trusted you, seventeen shadow beasts tried to eat my face.”

“You’re the one who tried to conjure blood for the trap from skunk cabbage and obsidian.”

“It was—” I stopped. No. I wasn’t going to let him bait me into this argument again. Except…I paused for a breath. Shadow beasts had always caused me problems. “Let’s get this over with.” I turned back to Silus and Elara. He was still studying her face intently. “Are you two going to join us, or does this eyelash require a full procedure?”

Elara’s face reddened as Thalen smirked.

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