Page 71 of Claimed By Shadow and Blood
Bryn grunted. He pushed his wild auburn hair back and paced. “Are they draining others?”
“Are you seriously asking him that?” Thalen's forehead lined. “He barely got that much from Briar, seeing as the guards were watching and trying to listen in. They didn’t have a romantic stroll and talk.”
Maybe I should’ve scolded him, but I agreed with his assessment. The question had been ridiculous. Still, I bit out, “He probably isn’t the only one. They don’t seem like the sort who would do just one thing if it’s working.”
Releasing a sharp breath, Bryn drew a hand over his mouth. His fingers curled under his chin as he tapped his thumb against his lips. “This is worse than I feared. Much worse. Well, this plan is the priority. Briar must come first?—”
“I thought you said this was aboutinnocents. You’re not concerned about this other innocent?” The edge in Thalen’s voice made it clear he wasn’t teasing.
Bryn glared at him, the wrinkles in his face deepening. “I didn’t say I wouldn’t help him, little imp. But there must always be priorities. Or would you rather I cast Briar and the looming destruction of your kingdom aside to save someone who may or may not be connected to this abomination?”
“I was just saying…” Thalen shrugged.
I glanced around, once again noting how much damage had been done to Briar’s room. If Briar formally won the bridal competition, the magic would transform this room into a wedding bower for her bridal preparations, as if Fate herself were congratulating the winner. And that wardrobe would reveal a stunning gown that represented the bride. Briar deserved thatand more, not to be viewed as a treacherous outsider who’d slain an ailing king.
My chest tightened even more. But clearing her name wasn’t nearly so important as saving her life. “We need to set matters in place to get her here as soon as possible.”
The three of us planned. We settled on our roles, and I bound Thalen to silence on Briar’s imminent rescue.
Once settled, Thalen and I started for the Healer’s Hall once again. Servants and guests whispered in worried tones about the earthquake. But no one mentioned the changing water color, and I prayed no one had noticed it.
When we neared our destination, a black-winged guard hurried toward us. His obsidian armor gleamed in the low light, and he bowed while striking a fist to his chest. "Your Highness, I have good news—you no longer need to worry. The princess has been found."
I froze mid-stride, scowling. "Found? What do you mean, ‘found’?" I blinked a few times, thinking I must have misheard him.
Thalen cocked his head. "Was someone going to tell us she was missing? Seems like we’re missing a step or two."
The guard's expression shifted to confusion. "We... we've been trying to locate you for the past hour, Your Highness. Silus informed the royal guard that she was missing and he could not find you. But they have returned."
My jaw locked so tight my molars ached. My wings flared out as I crossed in front of the shorter man. “What happened? Is she hurt? Where did she go?”
The guard bowed again, his charcoal wings tightening against his armored back. "They've returned to the royal family's quarters, Your Highness. They appeared unharmed."
Without hesitation, I strode through the corridor toward the royal quarters. What had Elara been doing? Where had she gonewith Silus? Dread pooled in my gut as a suspicion blossomed in my mind. She wouldn’t have gone to Firellan’s Spine, would she? No…I hadn’t told her that’s where Briar was being kept. So, where?
Thalen trotted alongside me. “I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation. Perhaps she needed something for the funeral. Or a quick snog.”
“Silus wouldn’t have informed the guard if they were going to do that.” And frankly, I didn’t want to think about Silus and Elara kissing and caressing each other. She was mylittlesister.
“Well, I think we can write off the likelihood that it’s something nefarious.” Thalen patted my shoulder. “Also, ease up, or you’re going to crack your teeth before the coronation.”
I shoved his hand off and kept moving. My shadows coiled around my ankles, and I quickened my pace, nearly colliding with a servant, who flattened herself against the wall.
The pain in my head intensified with each step, but I pushed through it. In three hours, Briar would be back in the Shadow Kingdom. In six hours, she’d be safe forever. Every fiber within me tightened and burned at that thought.
Safe…withoutme.
The hollow ache within me screamed for any choice but that, but I ignored it. I just had to survive until she was safe, and then I could sift through the remnants of my own life.
As I approached Elara's chamber door, I caught a faint whiff of rot and dried blood, like Firellan’s Spine. Then I heard voices from within.
"—have to tell him, Elara." Silus's voice was low, urgent. "This changes everything. He has a right to know."
"No." Elara’s voice moved away from the door as she likely paced toward the back of the room. "It's not the right time. Can't you see how much he's already dealing with? I promise you I’mfine." Her voice hardened.
Seizing the handle, I thrust the door open. Silus stood in the center of the room, facing a blue silk screen in the back, arms outstretched in exasperation. He twisted around and saw me, his face blanching.
I fixed him with a stony glare before looking toward the blue silk screen, which I guessed Elara was currently standing behind. “What exactly am I not supposed to know, and where were you? A fecking guard just informed me that you were found after being missing. And what in the void are you doing back there, Elara?”
