Page 69 of Shadow Kissed
Jasiel chuckles. “That boy doesn’t look at you like he wants to be your friend. I know it and Raegal knows it. For the boy’s own safety, you’d do well to stay away. I’m sure you wouldn’t want him to be sent away from here.”
My eyes jerk up to his. “He could do that. Why though? Because he’s worried about my purity?” I snipe.
Jasiel chuckles again in amusement. “I think your purity is the last thing on his mind. Just behave yourself, little one.”
I don’t have time to protest any further as we reach Saveya and Eryx, who are chatting together over by the gates. Saveya giggles at something he says, and he smiles back at her.
“Captain Graystream.” Eryx salutes him. “I will take my leave. Ladies.” He smiles at us, his eyes lingering on Saveya before he heads back the way he came.
“I believe you know your way back to the mansion. No dawdling and keep to the main path. I think I need to remind Moryen that, given recent events, it isn’t safe for you to be walking unescorted around the valley. Good day, ladies.” He tips his head in farewell to us and stalks back towards the main offices.
As we walk back to the mansion, I don’t miss the way Saveya beams when she talks about Eryx, and I tease her and ask her if she has developed a crush. She guffaws at my comment and reminds me we don’t get to choose who we wed. Her reminder is a cold slap to my face to remind me why I need to keep my distance from the commander and remember who and what is our enemy is.
28
RAEGAL
I’m greeted warmly by the servants as I stride through the castle towards the king’s private offices. As much as I detest Asen and its people. It has been a welcome reprieve from the bitter memories that I have of home. I flex my fingers and the memory of having them inside her earlier floods my mind. The way she felt as she climaxed around them. I shudder at the thought of what it would feel like to have her come on my cock. I need to bed a woman and shake this girl out of my system.‘Ours,’my shadows whisper to me. Traitorous bastards want another taste of her. In some ways, coming home will serve to remind me why I hate her kind and why I cannot give in to my depraved desires. And boy are my desires depraved. The things I want to do to my terror. I want to strip her bare and mark every inch of her skin. I shudder and fist my hands, shaking the images from my mind. Focus! Remember what is important!
As I reach the king’s quarters, the guards bob their heads my way and open the doors, allowing me entry.
“Your Majesty,” I greet, bending my head in respect.
“Lord Commander,” the king replies, not looking up from his papers to greet me. “It appears we have much to discuss.”
“We do, Your Grace, and a few other matters I would like to discuss with you if I may.”
This gets his attention. His grey shrewd eyes fall on me, and I can feel them assessing and finding me lacking. “Well, take a seat. I’m a busy man.”
I do as ordered, taking a seat opposite him. I wait while he peruses his papers in front of him. “What news do you bring about the missing girls? This is the rebellion’s latest tactic?”
I nod my head. “It would appear so, Your Grace. They haven’t publicly claimed it, but it is clearly them. Then there’s the attack on the crystal convoy. The rebellion has claimed that as their work, but I am not convinced. Mutts were involved in the attack and we both know only those with night blood can control them.”
The king leans back in his seat and nods his head. His dark beard showing a smattering of grey. Despite his age, he is still broad and strong. Our king runs every morning and spars with his personal guard daily. Our people respect him as a warrior and a pillar of strength. “The Night Realm remains closed?”
“It does, however, the split in the void has grown.”
The king sighs. “One hundred years of nothing and then suddenly this. We have no firm confirmation that the entire realm perished. Could it be that some of their kind survived?”
I shake my head. “I don’t see how. All gateways closed as their king took his last breath. I think what is more likely is that someone with access to a talented crystal weaver has created a stone that can control the mutts.”
I lie with ease. I choose not to share my personal thoughts on the matter, not until I have further clarification regarding my suspicions.
“You have been spending time at the mansion,” the king states, watching my response closely.
“I have,” I reply curtly. Damn Moryen and her mouth.
“Do I assume you will do your duty to your realm and take a girl at the reaping?” He arches a brow and waits expectantly.
“That is what you have commanded of me, Your Grace. I am your humble servant and I live to serve you.”
The king nods his head. “Good. I’m glad sense has prevailed. I know you don’t have a great opinion of Asen women, but they will provide you with healthy heirs. Now, the Shadow Kissed. We can’t afford to lose any more. What is your suggestion on the matter?”
“My advice would be that we bring the remaining chosen ones to the mansion now. They will be safer at the valley.”
“Agreed. Do so immediately. I’ll also increase the budget for our rebellion intelligence team. Now, the other matters?”
“The Shadow Kissed females. I feel we should expand their curriculum and the areas of skill we score them on.”