Page 79 of Shadow Kissed
Dormitory by dormitory, we leave. Our group being the last. Moryen accompanies us. When we arrive, Tyria vomits and vows she’ll stay at the orphanage rather than shadow weave to the mansion. I place my hand above my eyes to shelter them from the blinding light of the sun and take in the large home before us. It doesn’t resemble an orphanage. Although, having never seen one before, I wouldn’t know. It looks like an old, converted farmhouse with quaint small windows and shutters painted in a pale yellow. Standing before the open front door is a small, plump lady with short, curly hair and rosy cheeks. She smiles warmly at Moryen and the other tutors as we reach her.
“Welcome, welcome young ladies to Nesryn House. My name is Nilsa.”
“Isn’t that the name of the late shadow queen?” Shalia asks her as she fusses at her dress.
Nisla smile and points at Shalia. “It is, indeed, young lady. Someone knows her shadow history.”
Shalia blushes at the compliment. “I read a lot,” she offers in explanation. I glare at her from where I stand beside Saveya. I don’t know why, but I’ve taken a disliking to her.
“Nesryn House is indeed named after the late queen. Our current king’s mother. She established this orphanage in the years before her death. Wanting to ensure a secure home for all orphaned Asen children.” She steps aside and ushers us in. “Please come inside. The children are all very excited about your visit today.”
We follow her inside. The cosy entrance has flowers of various colours adorning each windowpane and all along the wall are lots of childlike drawings and pictures. The aroma of something delicious wafts through from the back of the house.
“Wrenbry’s.” I sigh. The smell brings back memories of home and simpler times when Ark’s mom would call us in for somewrenbry pie and juice. It will always remind me of home and of Ark.
“It is indeed,” Nilsa informs me. “Baking as we speak, ready for lunch time. Now, come this way. The children are all in their classes, so we’ll need to be quiet.”
“What classes do they take?” I ask, expecting Nilsa to advise that they take classes that prepare them for their life of servitude.
“Art, history, reading and writing, sums, cookery, and physical sports. The class we’re entering now is reading and writing.
“Don’t they all become servants?” I ask her, confused.
Nilsa pauses in her steps and tilts her head at me. “We support the children to go into whatever profession they want. Some choose to stay and work for us, but it is of their own choosing.” Her gaze narrows, that pleasant smile disappearing for the first time. “Now, let us continue with the tour.”
The first classroom we enter is for children aged four to six. They sit listening to their teacher, who is teaching them about the seasons and how the weather changes. All the children appear happy and healthy. Next, we visit their dormitories and see where they all sleep. The dormitories have colourful murals painted on the walls and all the comforts of a child’s bedroom. Nilsa announces we’ll visit the play area outside next. We come to a stop as we reach the exit to the back of the property, and I wonder what the holdup is.
“Ah, I didn’t think that man could get any finer,” I hear Shalia say followed by a dreamy sigh. I’m near to the back of the girls, so I’m unaware of who she is referring to until they all move through, and I get to see what the commotion is.
Raegal is here. He’s dressed in casual clothes, simple navy trousers and a white linen shirt, with the top few buttons undone. He has a five o’clock shadow around his jawline andhis dark locks tied back away from those piercing grey eyes. My breath falters as I catch sight of him. The man who occupied my bed just hours ago. My enemy, who had his head between my legs last night and brought me nothing but a blissful escape.
I watch him sitting with a small Asen girl who looks to be about six or seven years old. He listens intently to what she is saying, and my breath catches when she says something to him, and they both break into laughter. He doesn’t laugh often, but when he does, it transforms him from handsome to breathtaking. Raegal pauses, looking up and his eyes lock onto mine. I find myself walking towards him, pulled by some unknown force, as the other girls spread out to meet and chat with the children as they play. He offers the little girl a flower, and she takes it and adds it to the little bouquet she’s making.
“What are you doing here?” I ask him with a confused frown.
He gazes up at me, then smiles down at the girl. “Aiyana, this is Eretreya.”
The little girl looks up at me and her eyes widen as they meet mine. “You’re Shadow Kissed!”
I nod and bend down to her level. “I am. Is it the eyes that gave it away?” I say with a cheeky smile.
The little girl forgets her flowers and wanders closer to me. She reaches out to touch my face. She stares at my eyes like they’re magical.
“Your eyes are so pretty. Aren’t they pretty?” she says, glancing briefly at Raegal.
He smiles at her and looks over at me. “Mesmerising.”
“Why are you here?” I ask him again, as the little girl reaches out to touch my hair. “Is this an attempt to convince me you care about my people?”
Sighing, he stands to his full height. He tickles Aiyana on her head. “Go fetch your brother. I want to see if he has been practicing his batting skills.”
Aiyana nods and gazes at my eyes in awe once more before skipping across the playground.
“I come here at least once a week. I know every child here. Who their parents were and how they died. And I’ll ensure that every one of these children grows up safe, because we owe them that much.” He waits for my reaction. “Disappointed that it goes against your view of me as a tyrant and bully.”
I meet his stare. “One small gesture doesn’t change the fact that you are here uninvited and that my realm is at the mercy of your people.”
He scoffs. “Some things are beyond my control. I do what I can. I’m sorry if it isn’t enough for you, Terror.” Frowning, he walks past me, and I turn upon hearing a child calling his name. I watch as the boy’s grin widens when he sees Raegal, and he runs full pelt towards him. Raegal smiles warmly at him and swings him up into his arms, the two of them chatting away like close family.