Page 96 of Shadow Kissed
We sit in silence as we contemplate everything we have discussed. “Okay, let’s keep reading,” I say with firm resolve. “I need to know everything I can about the Night Realm and its people.”
Saveya sighs as she reaches for another book. “At least with all this reading, we should get top marks on our assignment.”
That afternoon we have dance class, and I’m distracted by my own thoughts about everything we learned this morning about the Night Realm. All my life, I’ve been obsessed with stars and the night sky. Arkynn and I spent many nights up on that community hall roof just staring up at them and making up stories about the stars being the souls of those we’d lost. How ironic that when I was shifting through book after book this morning that I discovered that the Night Borne believe that when they die, their souls leave a star in the sky to watch over their loved ones. I step on Saveya’s toe for the hundredth time and apologise profusely. I sense professor Arzhel’s eyes on me, noting each misstep I make and deducting points from my score.
We start again, and Saveya hums to the music as we dance. She’s a natural at this and lights up when she dances. She is perfect wife material. I wish I could be as carefree as she is and just accept my fate and embrace it—but I can’t. I want to be in charge of my destiny. The small black dot on my wrist tingles and I turn and search the room and sure enough, he’s here. He stands outside the room, watching through the glass in the doors. I flush with embarrassment when I realise he’s seen my every wrong step. His eyes meet mine and he offers me a tight smile before he strides off down the corridor.
I blink when professor Arzhel claps his hands right by my ear and makes me yelp in surprise. “You will never master the basics if you are staring off into nothing, Miss Lockwood. Concentrate!”
“Yes, professor,” I grind out. Gods, I hate this class and to make matters worse, next we have Cookery and last week I’d burnt my creation to a crisp. It was interesting, though, to learnabout the food that grows in the Shadow Realm and some of their traditional dishes. At least I’m getting better at crochet and sewing, thanks to the hours Saveya is putting in trying to help me. Who would have ever thought that I would be asking to do extra crocheting, but it is a necessary evil. I must get into one of the top five spots at the reaping. And when I do, I have to stick a dagger into the heart of the shadow prince.
It’s evening and I’m sitting in our dorm room reading yet another book on the Night Realm when Orna pops her head around the door and advises me I have a visitor. The other girls and Saveya have gone for an evening walk around the mansion gardens, but I can’t afford to waste valuable reading time, so I declined their invitation. I am still having trouble accepting their offers of friendship. Old habits die hard, as they say.
Puzzled as to who could be here to see me, I pop my book down on the small table beside me and walk out into the hallway.
“Oh, it’s you,” I say when I find Raegal standing there. I try not to let my eyes linger on him. He isn’t in his military attire. He’s wearing those deliciously tight trousers that show off his muscular thighs and a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up and the top few buttons undone, offering a tease of that chiselled chest of his. Raegal clear his throat, and I realise I’ve been ogling him.
“Fetch Reya some shoes and her cloak, please,” he asks Orna, smiling at her and causing her to blush.
“Am I going somewhere?” I ask him, crossing my arms over my chest. “I’m in the middle of a good book.”
Raegal smirks in response. “One of those monster romance books again?”
“No,” I retort. “It’s a book about the Night Realm, if you must know. I’m doing research for my history and culture assignment.”
His eyes darken at the mention of the night bloods. “And have you learned anything interesting?”
I bob my head. “It has been very insightful and given me lots to think about.”
Raegal’s eyes drop to my chest, and I look down to see if I have a button undone or something.
“Your mother really had a thing for amethyst, didn’t she?” He gestures to where the pendant rests against my skin. “There was also a lot of amethyst in her workshop. Did you know amethyst is as deadly to the Night Borne as sunstone is to my people?”
My heart hammers in my chest at his words. “I didn’t know that. What would…what would being exposed to it do to one of them?”
Raegal moves towards me and my breath hitches when he reaches out and cups the amethyst heart in his hand. “Well, if one was stabbed in the heart with an amethyst dagger, it would kill them instantly. But small exposure to the crystal would weaken their powers and drain them.” He studies my necklace. “Did you know there is obsidian within your pendant?”
My body runs cold at his words. I think back on all the amethyst and obsidian in our house. Even amethyst and obsidian were infused in my bed frame. “Perhaps my mother was concerned about an invasion from the Night Realm. Maybe what she should have been doing is surrounding our home with sunstone to keep the likes of your kind away.”
He snickers at my jibe, and I freeze when he leans in closer to me. “Not even sunstone could keep me away from something I want.”
I swallow and my eyes dart to his lips, remembering how good they felt against mine. “And what is it you want, Commander?” I dare to ask him.
“Right now,” he says. “I’d like you to get your shoes on as we have somewhere to be, Terror.”
My heart slows in my chest. He enjoys toying with me. “And do I get any choice in the matter?” I ask him, relieved when he releases my pendant and takes a step back from me.
“No, so hurry,” he replies with a dry smile. Glaring at him, I bend down to put my boots on. I glance over at Orna, noticing the amusement on her face as her eyes shift between me and Raegal. When she catches me scowling at her, her smile sobers, and she bobs her head at Raegal in farewell. “Oh, Orna, my sweet. If you could be a darling and if anyone asks, Reya is tired and getting an early night.”
Orna’s cheeks redden, and she bobs her head up and down. “Of course, Commander. Your secret is safe with me. I will ensure no one knows she isn’t here.”
He winks at her, and she looks like she might faint on the spot. I roll my eyes at him using charm to get her to do as he commands. Raegal catches my eye, and smirks at my response. “Ready?”
“I guess so. I would like to know where we are going though,” I grumble as he reaches for my waist and pulls me against the hard planes of his delightful body.
“Hold on tight, Terror,” he advises with amusement as his shadows swirl up from our feet and envelope us in his darkness. I close my eyes and embrace the feeling of his magic. It starts a warm fire deep within me and I would happily stay here forever.
“We’re here. Welcome to lake Eris,” he announces, and I open my eyes to find him watching me with hooded eyes. He glances at my lips and for a second I think he’s going to kiss me, but he clears his throat and releases me. I force myself tostop staring at him and my jaw goes slack when I take in our surroundings. I turn in a circle as I take in the vast mountains of onyx that surround us. The moonlight glistens off them, creating a tranquil setting. I raise my gaze upward to admire the sharp, glistening onyx peaks. Raegal stands there watching me and when I glance back at him, his usual grey eyes have darkened. It makes him both alluring and terrifying at the same time.