Page 15 of Shadow Kissed

“She’s jealous,” Arkynn says, grasping at the back of his neck. He looks at me with a pained expression. “She is jealous that the gods chose you.”

“Why her?” I ask him again. I need to know why he chose her out of all the girls he could have his pick from. Arkynn is handsome. He could offer any girl in this town a betrothal bracelet and she would accept in a heartbeat.

“My father. He’s been pushing me towards her for a while now. She and her family have been coming over for family dinners every week.” He swears under his breath. “I was weak. I was so confused yesterday about what happened on the rooftop. You and me,” he says, gesturing between us. “It had never crossed my mind because it could never be, but then you stood there before me and asked me to take you and gods, Reya. You looked so beautiful.”

My heart stutters in my chest at his words. He just said I looked beautiful. How many nights I have dreamt he’d say such things to me.

“All day, all I could think about was you like that. My best friend. And gods, I wanted you. I got blind drunk on ale and that was when she found me.” He strides towards me, determined, and grips my face in his hands. “Don’t you see? If I’d have lain with you, I would have never wanted to let you go. I knew if I lay with her, you’d never look at me the same again. I chose her because I knew that would be the ultimate betrayal. I did it so that even if I came to you and begged you, you would refuse me.” He strokes his thumb across my cheek. “If I’d have lain with you, I’d have wanted you forever and we can’t have forever.”

“We could have had that one night,” I remind him. “We could have had that one glorious night together.”

“No.” He shakes his head vehemently. “No, Reya. I know now that one night would have never been enough. I’ve been blind to what was right in front of me. I wouldn’t have been able to let you go.”

He leans down and places his lips against mine and kisses me. My best friend, who I have dreamt about doing this with for so long, kisses me. It should be the happiest moment of my life, but it’s tinged with nothing but sadness and hurt. Instead of pure joy and pleasure, I feel nothing and pull back away from his lips. “You’re right. It’s better this way. We can never be, especially now. Whatever your reasons are for going to her, it matters not. You betrayed me.” I take a step back and grimace. “I hope she can make you happy.” I spin on my feet and run to the house, quickly locking the door behind me before I fall to the floor and mourn for what could have been.

The town bells ring four times, alerting the residents that we all need to gather in the square. I shout the boys down from their rooms and wrap them up in their warmest coats and boots before we take the short walk to the town square. Mother has yet to return from the mountains. Crystal only knows what she’s doing up there! My steps falter when I see Raegal standing in the centre of the square with our town’s chief at his side. His soldiers stand behind him, wearing their armour.

“Tonight, we feast,” Chief Veles announces to the gathered crowd. “Tomorrow our young men will join the Shadow Borne Army and leave us. Everyone will gather in the great hall for dancing and feasting and we’ll give our boys a send-off to remember.”

Raegal leans into Veles’ ear and says something. The Chief nods his head, his expression turning sombre. “Now, to more troubling matters. Some of our own took our Shadow Kissed beyond the walls last night and left her there at the mercy of the mutts.”

Gasps of shock and horror fill the square as everyone stares at me. My cheeks redden and I focus my gaze on my boots.

“Those responsible should make themselves known now. The responsible party will be found and held accountable. This was an attempt on our Shadow Kissed’s life. Without her, we would be left unprotected and unable to prosper as we do now.”

Good to know my wellbeing is his primary concern. I don’t know why I’m surprised that his concern is the damage my death would have done to Terleigh and not the fact that my life was almost cut short. Can’t have the chosen one dying before she’s fulfilled her purpose!

“Despite this terrible betrayal, your chosen one won’t give up the culprits because she is pure of heart and forgiving,” Raegal says, as he steps forward and addresses the crowd. “I will find who did this and when I do, you will regret the day you ever drew breath. The culprits have until midnight to hand themselves in. In the meantime, my men will make enquiries of their own. Trust me when I say it is better that you come forward than for me to find you.”

“Why would anyone want to hurt you, Rey-Rey? You are nothing but good and kind?” Elian asks me, looking upset and confused. I ruffle his hair and offer him a reassuring smile.

“Some people aren’t good, Elian. But look, I’m okay, I survived. It’ll take a lot more than a night in the forest to get rid of me.”

Elian leans his head against my side, wrapping his arm around my waist. Elian has always been the gentle and caring one. Corym lets go of my hand and holds both his hands intight fists, looking like he’s ready to storm the crowd and take vengeance for me. “I’ll kill them myself,” he vows.

I grip his shoulder and turn him towards me. “No more talk of killing people. You’ll do no such thing. Now, let’s head home and get you both ready for the feast.” I steer my brothers back the way we came and as we turn the corner. I look back to the square and catch Raegal’s light grey eyes upon me. A bolt of excitement runs through my body as our eyes meet and I quickly hurry away, out of sight. That man both exacerbates me and intrigues me all at once.

7

REYA

Imake an effort on my appearance tonight. No doubt Arkynn will be there with his bride-to-be. I curl my hair using heated rags and redden my lips with maeberries. I don’t have many dresses. I’m not a dress kind of girl, but I have the beautiful purple velvet bodice with amethyst buttons that my mother bought me from a market in another town. I have been saving it for a special occasion. I decide to forgo a shirt under the bodice and leave my toned shoulders on display tonight. The colour of the bodice makes my eyes stand out even more. Mother still isn’t home, so I leave her a note to tell her we’re at the party. I know I promised her I wouldn’t go near any of the Shadow Borne but the chief has summoned us. Besides, tonight I wanted to watch Mayla squirm as she worries whether or not I’ll reveal her as the culprit. The boys are both in formal trousers and waistcoats and they look so smart and grown-up. It hurts my heart to know I’ll never see the men that they mature into.

When we queue to enter the hall, the place is already bustling with music and merriment. As soon as we enter, theboys are eager to find their friends, so I let them go but make them promise to behave and that they will check in with me frequently. I stroll around the edge of the room, smiling at people as they greet me and express how happy they are that I am okay after my ordeal. What they really mean is they are happy I’m still here to ensure their ongoing protection. I pause in my steps when I spot Arkynn sitting beside Mayla, both their families sharing a table. Weylynn sits with them with an ale in his right hand, looking like he’d rather be anywhere else. I stand a little straighter and head for their table. Might as well get this over and done with. Arkynn does a double take when he spots me heading their way. He jumps to his feet as I come to a stop before them.

“Reya. You look…You look beautiful,” he says, swallowing deeply and looking lost for words as he scans me from head-to-toe.

“Thank you,” I reply politely before I greet his mum and dad, who both embrace me in a warm hug. They insist I sit with them, so I take a seat in between his mum, Breela, and Weylynn.

“Have you heard the news?” Breela asks me, studying my face.

I nod my head. “I have.”

Breela pats my leg and offers me a sympathetic smile. “I wish things were different. If ever there was a girl that was right for my boy, it is you, but the fates have decided against it.”

I place my hand over hers and smile. “They have indeed.” I look over at Arkynn, who keeps risking glances at me while Mayla chews his ear off about something trivial, no doubt. “I hope he is happy.”

“So do I, my dear. So do I,” Breela says wistfully. She leans over me, to catch Weylynn’s attention. “Son, take Reya for a spin on that dancefloor. She looks far too pretty to be sitting on the sidelines tonight.”

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