Page 55 of Shadow Kissed
I head in the direction he instructed and grin to myself when I spot block E. I push open the door with my hip and announce myself.
“Fresh linen delivery!”
“Just over there, by the bench,” says a voice I know all too well. I place the clean linens where he instructed and glance up to find Arkynn is there, sitting on his bed, busy shining his boots. I glance over at another soldier, who is busy folding his freshly laundered uniform.
“Just here, did you say?” I repeat, hoping Arkynn will look up. He frowns and raises his eyes and recognition flares.
“Yeah, just there. Let me help you.” He strides over and takes half the bundle from me. “What are you doing here? Are you trying to get me in trouble?” he whispers, looking behind him to check the other soldier isn’t listening or watching.
“I wanted to see you and check if you are okay. Arkynn, you must help me escape. I can’t do this. I can’t marry one of them.” My eyes plead with him.
He touches my elbow and guides me to the door. “Let me show you the way back,” he says slightly louder, making sure the other guy hears him. He leads me outside and round the side of the building.
“What’s happened?” he asks me, crowding me against the wall. “Has someone hurt you?”
His eyes flash with the promise of retribution.
“No,” I say, placing my hand on his arm. “I just can’t do it Ark. I can’t live that life. You have to help me.”
He glances around us and leans in. He caresses my cheek, and I turn away from his touch. He winces at my rejection. “There’s a rebel meeting this evening in the next village. Come with me. If you’ll work with us, I think I can convince Corlan to help get you out before the reaping.”
A flicker of hope flares in my chest. “You really think so?”
He nods his head, glancing around us again. “Meet me round the back of the temple at six sun dials. I’ll bring you some clothes so we can disguise you.”
I nod my head and grin at him, hope blossoming. “Okay, I’ll come with you. Is it safe? What about the mutts?”
He takes hold of my hand and tugs me forward into a warm hug. “Gods, I’ve missed you. We’ll be back before dusk, I promise.”
Reassured that I will be back and in bed before Raegal arrives, I awkwardly step out of his arms. As much as things have changed between us, he is my only reminder of home, of the familiar and the safe. It has been comforting to see him and speak to him. “I need to go. If Moryen finds out I’ve been here, I’ll have no chance of stepping foot out of my room, never mind the mansion. Catch you later.”
Arkynn nods his head and, with a quick squeeze of my hand, lets me go. I sense his eyes on me all the way along the pathway. It’s strange to think about how things have changed. At one time, I’d have done anything to have him look at me the way he just did—with hope and longing. Now though, I realise those feelings I had for him were nothing but a childish crush.
I make it back to the market and seek Saveya. I know to start with any stalls that sell pretty accessories. Sure enough, I find her at a stall buying some selenite trinket bowls.
“Thank the goddess! I was thinking Moryen would be back before you were!” she says, clutching at her chest. “Aren’t these pretty? I bought you one too.” She offers one to me and I stare atthe gift in her hand for a second. I’ve never had a female friend before, and her buying me a gift hits me hard.
I swallow deeply as I take it from her. “You didn’t need to do that.”
“Sure, I did. You’re my friend,” she replies, batting away my comment with her hand. “Come on, I noticed a stall over there selling rowanberry cakes.”
Smiling and feeling unsettled at the fuzzy sensation in my chest, I let her drag me over to the cake stall. I am so used to girls my age being cruel and playing games with my trust that it is hard for me to let Saveya in. I know she is genuine and not trying to lure me in only to hurt me, but it’s hard to move past years of being ostracised and hated by my peers.
Moryen returns just as we are paying for some of the delicious cakes. She returns with a basket full of potions and bottles. Saveya convinces her to let us visit one last stall that sells fresh flowers before she insists we head back to the mansion for some lunch. Saveya chatters away about the market as we walk back, but I’m lost in my own thoughts, and don’t really hear a word she is saying. I’m preoccupied with thinking about what this evening will entail. My body is pumping with adrenaline and anxiety. I am playing a dangerous game. If I’m caught, God knows what it will mean for my brothers and my hometown, but I feel this is something I have to do. I won’t allow the Shadow Borne to dictate my life. I don’t want to just marry some unknown shadow male and be his doting little wife, popping out lots of little shadow children. I long to choose my own path in life, and not have it dictated to me.
We have lunch with Moryen, and I rub at my head and complain of a headache coming on. Moryen suggests we go to the library and get in some advance preparation for our studies by reading up about the temple of Arawn. So, we head over to the library and Mistress Aysel helps us locate the books we need,then we settle in for the afternoon in armchairs by the large arched window that looks out across the valley. Now and then I remember to rub at my head and Saveya asks me if I’m okay. I hate deceiving her like this, but if I’m to make the excuse to escape to my room for the evening, then it’s a necessary evil.
Ever since Arkynn told me about attending the rebel meetings, I’d been curious. I didn’t think they had a chance against the Shadow Borne, so I’m intrigued to see how many will attend the secret meeting tonight.
23
REYA
That evening I feign a bad headache and take myself off to my room. Informing Moryen and Saveya that a dark room and a few hours of sleep is all I need. Saveya is nothing but sympathetic and asks if she can fetch me anything and I feel like the worst friend in the world. Maybe I don’t deserve a friend if this is how I treat them.
I tie my hair in a bun, using the two black ribbons Saveya got me at the market, then I pace my room until it’s time to leave. Opening the balcony doors, I step onto the concrete railing and reach across to the ivy climbing up the wall and swing my foot onto the small brick edging on the wall. Now to jump across and reach the drainpipe. Thud. I hit the pipe with a whack and, seizing hold of it, I steady myself before shimmying down to the ground. I had mastered the art of sneaking out. For years, I would sneak out onto the great hall roof at night to stargaze with Arkynn. I stick to the tree line and sneak my way along the perimeter wall. I attempt to climb over the wall behind a largeoak tree, hoping it will obscure me from the view of anyone in the gardens.
When I land, I quickly glance around to ensure no one is nearby. Lifting my hood up, I keep my head down and head toward the temple. As I near the grand building, it’s almost as if I can feel the god of shadows cold and accusing eyes upon me. I glance left and right before making my way down the side of the temple, but no one looks my way.