Page 47 of Shadowbound

Kraven looks slightly uneasy and takes a step back, his gaze fixed on Alaric.

“What sort of creature is this, Sylvanna?” he asks, speaking to me though he doesn’t take his eyes off my Paladin. “He’s not human or a regular DayBorn—that’s for certain. He’s not even Dark Fey. There’s something about him—something strange.”

“Alaric is a keeper of the Celestial Fire,” I say, stepping forward again. I’ve never been so glad to have my Paladin at my back! “I’ve been helping him learn how to train his magic and he’s sworn to my service. He doesn’t take well to those who try to mistreat me,” I add.

“Well…who said anything about mistreating you?” Kraven takes another step back. “On the contrary, my only wish is to welcome you to the Palace. I assume you’ll be taking your old rooms while you’re here?”

“That’s none of your business,” I say coldly. “Come, Alaric—we’re going.”

I turn my back and sweep from the Audience Chamber, though what I really want to do is strangle Kraven and try again to free the Queen from the insidious power of the Glass of Distraction.

But I can’t do either of those things—not yet. I need The Heart of the Eclipse first—it will restore balance.

For now, all I can do is go to my rooms here in the palace to plan my next move.

24

Alaric

“Who was that fucker?” I demand as soon as we’re out of the vast, echoing Throne Room. “And why did he call you his ‘Blood-Partner?’ What does that mean?”

Sylvanna looks up at me, weariness written on her delicate features.

“Please, my Paladin—no more jealousy. I assure you, you have nothing to be jealous of.”

“I just want to understand what he was to you…and what he did to you,” I say.

She looks away and I can see her struggling with herself. This Kraven, whoever he is, hurt her badly. The thought makes me want to squeeze his skinny neck until his face turns blue! But I try to make my voice gentle.

“Please, Mistress,” I say and put a hand on her shoulder. “Please, just tell me.”

She looks around at the empty corridor and reluctantly nods her head.

“All right, but not here. In my rooms.”

We walk down several more long marble corridors before we come to a thick door which appears to be made of ice. I think it must be frosted glass but no, when I put my fingertips to it, it’s so cold it burns me. It really is ice.

“Fuck!” I growl, pulling my hand away. “What the fuck is this?”

“A deterrence spell, Sylvanna says. Stepping up to the door, she murmurs something in the Arcane Tongue.

At once, the icy layer around the door melts, showing a more normal looking wooden door beneath. Sylvanna murmurs yet another spell while touching it and it swings open for us.

“I was always careful when I lived here in the palace,” she says as we enter the room. “Even after Kraven and I took the Blood-Oath to be together, I kept my own space and never revealed the cantrips and spells to open it—not even to my Blood-Partner.”

“Blood-Partner—what is that exactly?” I want to know. “Was he your husband?”

“Blood-Partnership is a kind of marriage, yes.” She nods as she reseals the door behind us. I watch as the icy layer grows over the wood again.

“Is it anything like having me as your Blood-servant?” I demand.

“It’s a step above that—it’s a relationship between equals. At least, I thought Kraven was my equal—I had no idea he’d do what he did.”

“And what exactly did he do?” I growl. Whatever it was, it must have been bad. I come to stand in front of her but when she won’t meet my eyes, I sink to one knee before her and take her hands in mine.

“Please, Mistress—how can I protect you from him if I don’t know the whole story?”

“Very well.” She sighs and looks away. “I’ll tell you. I’m just ashamed, that’s all.”

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