Page 39 of Claimed By Shadow and Blood
Briar
My wolf howled in agony as I watched Vad walk away. Restrained and unable to go after him, I wished like hell that I could get him to believe me. Part of me flared with anger that he hadn’t given me the benefit of the doubt before casting judgment, but even the anger was laced in grief, and tears blurred my vision.
“Please,” I broke out as he stopped.
Stomach churning, I waited to see what he would do next. I hadn’t anticipated him standing at the heavy wooden door with his back to me, its broad expanse eclipsing the flicker of torchlight on the wall.
Vad’s wings arched, trembling at the edges and merging with the shadows. His hand hovered above the metal door handle, fingers splayed. His shadows swirled around my feet like a caress, or like he was fighting not to jerk me upside down. The hollow ache within me chilled me more than his magic, but now that I was in a room where magic wasn’t bound, the strange warmth of my new magic flared.
Scar Eye snarled. "How dare you speak to the prince in such a familiar manner?" Out of the corner of my eye, armor flashed toward my face. I braced and turned to shield myself.
But the blow didn't come.
"Was I not clear?" Vad demanded in a cold, low voice. "She is not to be harmed so that she may be ready to face true judgment and suffer for her guilt."
My head lurched upward. A long, thin shadow had coiled around Scar Eye's fist and held his arm back. The metal frosted beneath the shadow's grip as Scar Eye winced and his breath came in harsh pants.
Vad’s shadows tightened. "Do you not think I am capable of defending my own honor?"
Thalen had taken a step toward us as well. His eyes flashed with anger, and for a moment, I saw the Thalen I’d known before, when he’d protected me while teasing me back at the castle. He smoothed the emotion back into his stony expression.
“There is no need for concern, Your Highness. We are more than capable of punishing her appropriately for that disrespect.” Colm spoke with clipped words as the two guards gripped me even tighter.
Reality hit me so hard that my legs almost gave way. I couldn't even say his name? I barely noticed the dull aching of my wrists, bound together too tightly and held at an awkward angle with my elbows drawn out and my stance unsteady.
“Take her away,” Colm commanded. "We will ensure her punishment is appropriate without causing harm to the future plans."
Claw Tattoo jerked me, and I whimpered before I could stop myself. My wolf grew restless inside me, wanting to break free and get to Vad. But I couldn’t, not like this. All that would accomplish was hurting myself.
He didn’t want me anyway.
Vad’s hand curled into a fist, and his shadow curled even tighter along Scar Eye's wrist and bent his arm back. "No," Vad said. "I will deal with her in private, and I will measure out the appropriate punishment."
Thalen released a tight breath, and his gaze darted between Vad and me.
I sucked in a shaky breath, trembling so hard I had to clench my teeth. For the first time since I’d met Vad, I wasn’t sure I wanted to be alone with him. A chill ran down my spine.
Colm's brow lifted. "I beg your pardon, Your Highness?"
Eyes the color of a raging storm, Vad looked past me at Colm. He stalked the few paces back, wings flaring. The shadow tendril that caressed my ankle remained in the pool of shadows and squeezed my bare foot tighter. It lingered over the cuts and scrapes, providing relief with its coolness.
Colm straightened his shoulders and pressed his palms together. Those merciless claw tips of his clacked against one another.
Head inclined forward, Vad loomed over him with his shadows and wings flared out. “This woman disrespected me. It is not your place to punish her. It is mine.” He pointed in my direction but didn’t glance at me. “It’s myrightto punish her for what she’s done.Alone.”
My head spun, and my chest constricted painfully. Vad not only hated me, but he wanted Colm to plan my death, and he also wanted to hurt me himself for speaking his name.
Smile vanishing, Colm blinked. The corners of his eyes tightened.
Thalen remained near the door, his thumbs looped in his belt as he avoided my gaze. The guards at my side tensed, and their hands tightened enough to intensify my discomfort.
“I assure you, we can provide more than appropriate repercussions for her actions.” Colm sucked in a deep breath, puffing out his chest.
“I have no doubt you can.” Vad’s face tightened. “But this was done tome, and it’s within my rights to punish as I see fit. Are you trying to disrespect my position as she did? Am I now to punish you both?”
Colm’s breathing quickened, but it seemed to come from far away, like he wasn’t in the same room as I was. It was as if I were separated from them, even though I stood right there.
“Of course not, Your Highness. It is simply—” Colm started, and Vad lifted one hand and leaned closer, the shadows around him darkening. Scar Eye winced as the shadow holding him bent his arm back, but he didn't let go of me.
