Page 29 of Shadow Kissed
“We’ll keep them safe and loved,” Breela assures me, tears glistening in her eyes before she briefly glances over at her son. Today, she loses a son and gains two more to care for.
“Miss,” a voice says from behind me, and I turn to find Jasiel waiting. “Let me help you onto the mare.”
I nod my head and follow him to where a large black mare waits patiently. Jasiel crouches and cups his hands together and I place my foot in them, and he hoists me up. I seat myself and clutch on to the reins. From the corner of my eye, I see Raegal striding into the square. He’s dressed in his full Shadow Army military attire, complete with his bejewelled sword. I try to stop the intake of breath that escapes when he climbs up behind me, his arms coming around me to grab the reins.
“Morning, little Asen,” he says directly into my ear, and it sends a shiver of excitement through my body. The small black mark on my arm tingles.
“Morning, Shadow Man,” I reply dryly. My hate for his kind drips into my words. I was briefly blinded by their help on the night of the attack. It’s their fault that I am to leave my family earlier than planned. I’m not ready to go.
Jasiel orders the gates to open, and we move forward. My heart beats frantically and I steel my nerves. As we pass through the gates, I can’t resist a look over my shoulder. One last look at my brothers and the only home I have ever known. Elian and Corym stand together, watching us leave. I imprint their image into my mind and remind myself that their future is what matters and if they are to stand a chance at any kind of future, then we need to rid our realm of the Shadow Borne.
12
REYA
We have been travelling for a good few hours and I’m feeling saddle sore. I have never ridden a horse for longer than half an hour, because we could never stray too far from the safety of the town walls during the day. I attempt to adjust my position and wince, feeling Raegal’s eyes upon me.
“Give the order for a rest stop,” Raegal commands his right-hand man, who pulls back from us and barks out the order loud and clear. Further down the procession, the order passes on until it reaches the back of our large party. Raegal swings down from his horse. I grimace as I swing my left leg over and before I can protest, he lifts me by my waist as if I weigh nothing and places me on my feet. “I forget sometimes the fragility of Asen’s.”
“We’re not fragile,” I protest. “Just inexperienced at long horse rides, you know, because of the mutts. We never venture too far from home, just in case.
He studies me with an unreadable expression on his face. “I know you aren’t weak, Eretreya. I know you have suffered because of your position.”
I swallow, hating that he has this ability to understand me when he barely knows me. I avert my eyes from his and look out across the horizon and the endless crystal mountains in the distance. “Where are we?”
“Just north of Brinwood. We should arrive there just before sun set.” I watch as he pulls off his black leather gloves. It’s disturbing how good he looks in his full military attire.
“No camping in the wild this time?” I ask him, and this earns me a fleeting smile.
“No. I think it’s best we only rest overnight when we’re within the protective walls of a town.”
“Because of the mutts,” I say. He’s worried the mutts will attack us if we stay out here. “Can your kind sense them?”
He shakes his head as we lead his horse over to one of his men, who takes them from us. “We have heightened hearing and smell compared to your kind.”
Most of his men have left their horses and are busy setting up campfires and unloading food and drink supplies. I nod my head and stretch my back. I jolt in shock when he places his hand on my spine, and I feel warmth there. His shadows massage my lower back and I fight the urge to groan at how good it feels.
“Better?” he asks, clearing his throat and removing his hand. I turn and face him; my cheeks heated and nod my head. I’m still in shock at his actions.
“Much better, um, thanks.”
He leans in closer and my breathing stalls. “My shadows can give pleasure as much as they can deliver pain.” Raegal straightens and clearing his throat again, strides away from me. I watch his retreating form, perplexed by him.
“Everything okay, miss?” Jasiel comes up beside me and he follows my line of sight. “His barks worse than his bite, I assure you.”
I nod my head, chewing on my lip. “Does he have family back in your realm?” I ask him.
“If by family you mean a mate, then no, miss.”
I redden and scoff. “Oh no, I’m not in the least bit interested if he is taken. I meant a family as in parents.”
Jasiel looks down at me, grinning, and he winks at me. “Of course you didn’t, miss. And yes, he has family. Shall I fetch you some broth and water?”
I shake my head. Still embarrassed, he thought I was asking if Raegal is available. “No, thank you and please call me Reya. I do need to relieve myself, though.”
Jasiel nods his head and points to a cluster of trees. “May I suggest over there, miss? Sorry, Reya.”
I bob my head, and make to walk away, but I pause when he continues to walk alongside me. I pause and look up at him with an arch brow. “I don’t need company, Jasiel.”