Page 75 of Shadow Kissed
Saveya sighs and shakes her head, looking back at the commander. “Can you blame them? I mean, look at him.” She gestures with her hand at the man himself. “Look how he fills out that uniform. He’s so manly and handsome.”
I stand and come up beside her to lean on the balcony edge. She’s right. It’s undeniable how good he looks in that uniform. He looks even better shirtless though and with morning bed hair. I shake my head, ridding myself of such thoughts. I’m about to retreat to my seat when he looks up and his eyes fix on mine. His brow arches in question before he nods his head in greeting, and then returns his attention to the pretty raven-haired girl still clutching at his lapels. He releases her waistand, taking a step away, offers her his arm, which she graciously accepts, allowing him to lead her into the mansion.
“Come on!” Saveya grabs hold of my arm and tugs me towards the open balcony doors. “Let’s go down.”
I pull back, attempting to resist her. “I’d rather not.”
Saveya wrinkles her brow in annoyance. “Stop being such a moody madam and let’s meet our fellow chosen ones.”
She stares at me pointedly and tugs on my arm and, realising she will not let go, I reluctantly sigh out a “Fine.”
Saveya rushes through the rooms to the stairs and how I manage to descend without tripping and breaking my neck is a miracle with the speed she tugs me down them. I stumble off the last step, losing my footing, and two muscular arms reach out to steady me.
“Careful, Miss Lockwood.”
I gaze up into the familiar silver eyes of the commander. I don’t miss the fact that he addressed me by my family name.
“Apologies, Commander. Someone was eager to meet the new arrivals,” I explain with a tight smile.
“So I see.” He turns his attention to the beauty standing beside him. “Allow me to introduce you to Shalia.”
Saveya beams in response. “I’m Saveya and this is Eretreya, but everyone calls her Reya. Where are you from?”
“Pleased to meet you,” she replies warmly. “I’m from Tawrith in the central district.”
“Oh, we’re from the west, so you won’t be rooming with us, but I’m sure we’ll all see a lot of each other anyhow.”
Saveya strides confidently to her side and hooks her arm around Shalia’s. “I’m sure we’ll all be great friends. Your hair is gorgeous by the way, such an beautiful colour,” she tells the new girl as she guides her towards the ballroom.
I watch them walk off, chatting and giggling together and all my old insecurities come rushing back. I’m not good at this—at being friends with girls.
“Is everything okay?” Raegal asks me, pulling me from my thoughts and I find him watching me as I watch the girls.
I straighten my shoulders. “Everything is fine.”
Raegal gestures for me to follow Saveya and Shalia.
“I would have thought someone of your station would have been too busy to escort females to the mansion. Or did you volunteer? A chance to look over the potential brides.” I attempt and fail to leave the bitterness out of my tone, and it doesn’t go unnoticed.
“I’m simply doing my duty. Or were you hoping that you were the only one who would come here under my escort?”
I snort at his words and glare at him. “Don’t flatter yourself.”
Saveya pushes open the doors to the ballroom, cutting our conversation short, and revealing a crowd of noisy, chatting girls gathered in the centre of the room. Here we go. This is where the competition starts. Saveya thinks we’ll all be great friends and get along well, but I know different. It will be a fight to the finish line for those top five elusive spots. All the attention falls on the Lord Commander as he enters the room beside me. I watch as they all drink him in, eyeing him up as a potential prize.
“Hush now!” Moryen orders as she strides confidently into the room, her shadows flowing in behind her like a dark cloak. “Line up. Hurry now.” She claps her hands together and the girls all quickly fall into a line. “That includes you, Miss Lockwood.”
I blink, realising I’m still standing beside Raegal, and all eyes turn my way as I bumble my apology and quickly join the end of the line.
“Good. Now, welcome, ladies, to Shadow Mansion. This will be your home for the duration of your remaining time here on Asen. You are our chosen ones. Chosen by the god Arawnhimself to ensure your districts prosper and thrive for the next twenty-five years. Many wish to be in your shoes. Use your time here wisely. Learn, study and aim to be the best at all your challenges and classes.” Moryen walks up and down as she addresses us, a stern look fixed upon her face. “Five females who score the highest will claim the elite spots. Ensuring you are chosen by a high-borne and granting extra prosperity for your district.” She comes to a stop beside Raegal, who has been quietly listening to her speech. “The Lord Commander has some words for you, then we’ll settle you into your rooms.”
“Ladies,” he says, smiling down the line as he steps forward. “I am the Lord Commander of the Asen based militia and the Asen troops. It is my responsibility, during your time here, to ensure you are protected. In order to ensure we can keep you safe, there are some ground rules. No venturing beyond the walls. No leaving the mansion without an escort and absolutely no fraternising with any of the soldiers. Any female caught doing any of the previous will be punished.”
A young girl to my left with long, mid-brown wavy hair slowly raises her hand. “Is it true that there are night mutts gathered here in their hundreds?”
Her question brings forth a barrage of hushed whispers and gasps.
I don’t miss Raegal’s gaze fix on mine before he answers the girl. “There is indeed an unusually large gathering of mutts outside the valley, which is why it is imperative that you heed my warning not to venture beyond the safety of the walls. I wish to offer you my assurances that you are safe here. The mutts have never and will never breach these walls.”