Page 61 of Shadow Kissed
Jasiel grumbles in agreement. “Bolder and more tactical. They seem to be upping the ante as well, given the attack on the convoy the other night, and now this.”
I shake my head. “Whoever orchestrated that attack had control of the mutts. Unless the rebels have found some way to control them, then I don’t think that attack was theirs.”
“They took the women during the dead of night. Maybe they have found a way to control the mutts. Or they’re suicidal and took a chance on fleeing with the women after dark,” Jasiel says with a sigh and a shake of his head. “Could it be a talented crystal weaver has discovered how to create something that can control the mutts?”
I reach out for the chunk of onyx crystal on my desk and hold it in my palm. I’ve had little chance to replenish my energy stores and shadows tonight thanks to the distraction of the Asen female in my bed. I was so furious when I smelt him on her. The thought that he had touched her made me want to tear him apart. “I need you to instruct Captain Loring to increase the number of guards on the barracks.”
Jasiel side glances me, looking perturbed. “Why? You think some of our soldiers are involved?”
I shake my head, placing the crystal back on my desk. “No. Reya somehow snuck into the barracks today and saw the boy.” I can’t help the sneer that crosses my face at the mention of him.
Jasiel chuckles and I snap my eyes to his. “Sorry,” he says, holding his hands up. “It’s just she really is a minx. Are she and he ex-lovers?”
“No.” I growl, more aggressively than intended. I clear my throat and try to clear the anger racing through me at the thought of the two of them together. “I don’t believe it’s like that for her.”
Jasiel studies me and I refuse to look him in the eye. “On that we can agree. She needs someone who can challenge her and meet her head. Someone to keep her out of trouble.”
I snort. “Trouble seems to follow that woman wherever she goes. I’ve never met anyone so…”
“Beautiful,” Jasiel suggests with an amused lilt to his voice.
I glare at him. “I was going to say frustrating.”
Jasiel bobs his head from side to side. “Frustratingly beautiful then. How does she taste?”
“Exquisite,” I reply, before realising I walked into the bastard’s trap.
He grins widely and slaps his thigh. “I knew it! Good for you. It’s about time you indulged in the pleasure of a warm female body.”
I jump to my feet and pace behind my desk. “I should never have let it happen. I’ve watched as an Asen woman wrestled into my parents’ marriage and destroyed my mother’s happiness. I am ashamed that I gave in to my depraved desires for her.”
Jasiel mutters something under his breath and, leaving his seat by the window, he comes and perches on the end of my desk. “You’re not depraved, Rae. You can’t blame yourself for what happened between your parents.”
I bang my fist against the wall of my office. “If I hadn’t killed my brother, Father wouldn’t have felt the need to take an Asen wife and produce more children!”
Jasiel stays silent. He knows me too well and knows when to back off and leave me to my self-loathing. He can try to make me see things differently all he wants, but my brother’s death was my fault and my mother’s continued misery is because of my selfish and childish actions. Worst still I will have to return home tomorrow and face her knowing I held an Asen woman in my arms and almost took her as mine tonight.
Colonel Graybane arrives, and we receive a debrief from the town chiefs of both the missing females. It’s clear from the evidence at the scenes that someone took them by force, and they did not go willingly. They were likely rendered unconscious. Making it easy for their kidnappers to steal away with them undetected.
After hours of discussion about our next steps, my mind returns to her. It’s still an hour before sunrise and my scent will be diminishing now. “I need to return to my bed and replenish my energies, gentlemen. Jasiel and Loring, assemble a team and head to the villages to begin the search for the women. Report back to me as soon as you have news. I need to travel home tomorrow to brief the king.”
Ishadow weave back to my room. She sleeps soundly, her chest rising and falling with her breath. Her blonde curls fan out on the pillow behind her. My shadows spill out from me and seek her out. They almost sigh contentedly when they reach her, softly climbing her body and enveloping her in my scent. I hate that I crave her. Now I have had a taste, staying away will be harder than ever.
I sleep fitfully. Memories of my brother haunt me. Reminding me I am unworthy of happiness and love because he doesn’t get to have that, so why should I? I’m transported back to that fateful day that changes our lives forever.
“I’m the eldest and the strongest,” Haysen gloats as he knocks my sword out of my hand again and presses his blade against my heart. “That’s why I was born first, little brother. Because I am stronger and steadfast.”
I glare at him and knock his sword away from me. He offers me a hand to help me up, but I don’t need his help. One day, I will show him I am just as good a warrior as him.
“You know what would prove you are the strongest?” I ask him as I ready my sword, determined this time to beat him. “Previous first sons had to journey to the caves of Snowridge and slay a Somak. Only then were they truly worthy.”
My brother eyes me suspiciously, brushing his dark hair out of his eyes. “Father didn’t, and he has proved himself worthy.”
I jab to his right, and he steps out of my way, catching me on my side. “That’s because we were in the thick of war. He will not make you do it either, because deep down he knows you won’t win, and he can’t afford to lose his heir.”
He attacks me and our swords clash, steel against steel. “It’s because of the war. That’s the only reason I won’t be following the traditions of our forefathers.”
I smile, enjoying baiting him and making him doubt himself. “That’s what he tells you because he doesn’t want toupset you, but the truth is father doesn’t believe you are strong enough to slay a Somak. I heard Master Aeron talking about it with General Sorin.” I strike and hit him on his arm. I was unsettling him. Good. “But don’t let it worry you. I’m sure no one will think you are unworthy. I mean, who would want to go out to the caves alone and take on such a fierce and mighty beast like that?”