Page 28 of Shadow Kissed
I can tell from the way his frown deepens, causing sharp lines across his forehead that he’s irritated with me. Well, the feeling is mutual shadow man. “This isn’t a request, it’s an order. Your brothers will be well cared for by the Farsworn family.” He nods his head in a curt farewell before he gives me his back and leaves me at my door. I watch his retreating form, biting my cheek until I feel the tang of blood. I scratch at the small dark mark on my wrist as my eyes burn with unshed tears, and I breathe deeply fighting to hold them back. He expects me to just leave my family today—the thought alone terrifies me. I have always wanted to venture beyond this town, but now the idea of doing so leaves me cold. Leaving here means I’m closer to a fate I have no control over.
I slam the door shut and release the scream of frustration that has been building inside of me. Who do they think they are? Ordering me around and controlling our lives the way they do. It’s their fault the night mutts are here in the first place. Using our realm to fuel their realm and their war! I pull on my boots,cursing him in my head, then open the door again and stride out of my house to find Arkynn. After getting no reply at his home, I head over to his dad’s workshop and find him there, working over the fiery furnace, bare chested and dripping with sweat. At one time, I would have drooled at such a sight, but since his betrayal, I feel nothing. Whatever childish crush I had thought was love has now shattered.
He looks up and, seeing me, pauses his work and removes his helmet that protects him from the ferocious heat of the furnace. I watch as his eyes trail down my bare legs. In the heat of my anger, I’d left the house wearing nothing but Ark’s shirt and my boots.
“I think you forgot to dress this morning, sunshine.” He swallows and scratches at the back of his neck. He clears his throat and looks at anything but my lack of clothing.
“He’s making me leave with him today. He expects me to just pack up and leave my brothers,” I inform him with an angry scowl. “Who does he think he is? Ordering me about.” My voice waivers as emotions threaten to get the better of me. “I can’t leave my brothers, Ark. They need me, now more than ever.”
He stalks towards me and pulls me into his arms, and I soak up the affection, breathing in his familiar scent. “I hate them.”
“Good. Remember that hate and use it to do something about them. At least we’ll be leaving together. Say you’ll at least come to one rebellion meeting with me and hear what they have to say,” he urges me.
He’s right. I claim to hate them and want them gone from our realm, but what am I doing to rid us of them? Nothing. As much as I say I want more from life, what am I doing apart from meekly going along with their plans for me?
I blow a breath out through my nose and untangle myself from Ark. Annoyed with myself for my moment of weakness. “You’re right. It’s time I made a stand and that I fight for ourpeople. I will come and meet your rebels,” I vow with a firm nod of my head. Ark breaks out in a delighted smile.
“You’ll see, Reya. The rebellion is much bigger and stronger than even I could have imagined. They have a wealthy and powerful man at their helm. I believe we have a chance.”
“If we fail, at least we’ll die doing what’s right,” I say, pulling my shoulders back. “I need to get back before my brother’s wake. I need to work out how I break the news to them that I am leaving today.”
Ark offers me a grimace. “They’ll understand you have no choice. My parents will ensure they receive lots of love and care.”
I smile sadly. I know he’s right. Breela and Arik will love them like they are their own, but it doesn’t make it hurt any less. I feel like everything familiar is slipping away from me and it terrifies me.
Ismile at my brothers and wipe the tear away from the corner of Elian’s eye. “I’ll be fine. I promise.”
“You can’t say that,” Elian protests angrily. “Bryn says they feed the Shadow Kissed to a ferocious shadow dragon to keep him well fed and ensure he protects his realm.”
I scoff then frown at him in disbelief. “You and I both know dragons aren’t real. You know me. Do you really think I’d let them feed me to a dragon? Bryn is a silly boy, talking nonsense and trying to scare you. I will be fine. Plus, Arkynn will be there. You honestly believe he’d let anything bad happen to me?”
Elian reluctantly shakes his head, putting out his bottom lip. “I don’t want you to go.”
My poor heart shatters a little more in my chest. “I have to Elian.”
Corym nudges his brother with his shoulder. “She’ll be okay. She’s tough like me. I’ve seen her fight, and she fights like a boy.”
I smile fondly at my other little brother. He’s a fierce little warrior. Elian is soft-hearted and caring and Corym is his opposite, a fort of strength and duty. “Corym’s right. Now you two have to promise me you’ll look after each other. Promise me?”
The twins both nod their heads firmly. Elian sucks in a ragged breath as he fights with his emotions. “I might not be here in person, but I will always be in here,” I assure them as I place a hand over both their hearts. “I love you both.”
Elian throws his arms around my neck, and I rock on my heels at the force at which he throws himself at me. Corym is more composed, but when he joins in our hug, he holds on to me just as tightly as his brother. “I love you both more than anything. Now come on. I need to head to the square. Corym, you carry my bag and Elian, you can carry my cloak.” Both boys nod their heads and, after a moment of composure, pick up my belongings from the table.
The boys head outside to wait for me, and I take one last look around my family's home. This house holds so many happy memories. In this home my family loved, cherished, and protected me. I find myself drawn to my mother’s workshop at the back of the house. It feels strange walking in here and not seeing her at her workbench, weaving crystals and combining their properties. As I head back towards the door, a small wooden chest catches my eye. I pause. I don’t remember seeing that here before. I walk over to inspect the box. It looks old, and it’s decorated with tiny gold stars. Picking it up, I examine it in my hands. Hesitantly, I open it but find nothing inside except a silk handkerchief. Like the box, it has tiny gold stars embroidered on it with a large dark-coloured star in the centre and underneath are the initials ABD.
ABD?I spend a moment trying to think of anyone with those initials, but I draw a blank. Something makes me fold the handkerchief up and place it in my back pocket.
I lock the house up and, painting a smile on my face, I turn to my brothers. We all walk to the square in silence. Elian grips my hand tightly, as if he’s afraid to let go. Corym strides beside me, his head held high, a determined look on his face.
When we reach the square, we find a large crowd already gathered. The shadow soldiers are all assembled in their navy and gold uniforms astride their strange shadow mares. I study the crowd until my eyes fall on the Asen men. All standing in a line, wearing the grey and black tunics and trousers that mark them as members of the shadow Asen army. My eyes find Arkynn’s, and he smiles sadly at me, his gaze briefly dropping to my black boots, and I nod my head in silent reassurance that I have my dagger on me.
Our town chief is shaking hands with Captain Jasiel, and he expresses his gratitude for everything they have done during their brief stay here.
“Eretreya, step forward, my child.” Chief Veles searches through the crowd until he finds me, then smiles warmly at me. When I reach him, he grips me by the shoulders and presses a kiss to both my cheeks. “We will be forever grateful for your sacrifice, my child. We will write your name in the books of our town history, and you will be forever remembered like the fellow chosen females who came before you. Safe travels.”
“Thank you,” I reply, my voice barely a whisper. Inside, I want to beg him to let me stay, to scream and shout that I don’t want to leave. Arkynn’s mother and father step up behind the boys and place a comforting hand on their shoulders.
“Look after them for me,” I say, fighting to keep my emotions in check. I will not let them see me break. They need to seeme being strong if they are to stand any chance of being strong themselves when I’m gone.