Page 46 of Shadow Kissed

I close my mouth at his words and we both listen in silence as the soft footsteps move along the tiled floor towards my door. Raegal’s eyes are as black as night as his shadows leak from him and across my bedroom floor, wrapping themselves around my door, sealing it tight. My eyes flare in horror as the door handle slowly turns, but to my absolute relief, the door doesn’t open. Raegal’s shadows stopping it from doing so. Whoever is out there stays outside my door for a minute and when they hear nothing further, they slowly make their way back along the hallway, going back the way they came. Silence follows as we lie there, body to body, and when my eyes meet his, a zap of electricity rushes down my spine. My eyes drop to his lips and his eyes flare in intrigue. No! I do not want him! He is the enemy, remember! I scream in my head at my traitorous body. I clear my throat and pull my attention from those jet-black eyes.

“If you insist on crowding my bed and covering me with your shadows, then can you please do it without our physical bodies touching?” I try to ensure my voice drips with disgust but fail and the words come out all croaky and nervous.

He blinks and his eyes return to their mesmerising silver colour. “Of course. It’s not like I take any enjoyment from the feel of your body against mine, Terror. I have never desired Asen women and I never will.” He sneers. “I can assure you; your precious virtue is safe with me!” He releases his hand from behind my neck and turns over, giving me his back, whilst ensuring his shadows still cover almost every inch of my body.

I lie there glaring at him. I hate him! With every pore of my being! One of his shadows gently caresses my wrist and I angrily flick it with my finger. It retreats sulkily, as if hurt by my response. I huff and turn over. He is insufferable!

Morning cannot come soon enough.

19

REYA

Istretch out and yawn, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. My eyes flare when I remember the events of last night and I sit upright, wide awake, ready to order him to remove his shadows from me. When I look at the other side of my bed, he isn’t there.

Good.

It’s not like I wanted him to be here when I woke.

Scowling like my life depends on it, I climb out of bed and walk over to the curtains, pulling them wide open. Dazzling sunlight rushes into the room and I tilt my head towards its warm rays, closing my eyes and soaking it in. Looking out over the valley, I can’t help but admire its beauty. As the buildings glisten against the sun, they scatter a spectrum of colours across the main square. How can a place that forces women to marry their men look so beautiful but be so cruel?

I wonder how Arkynn is settling in at the barracks. He is a born soldier, so I’m sure he will be fine. Arkynn wields a sword as if he were born to use it. I shouldn’t care how he is doing, but I do. Not in a pining, romantic way, but in an ‘I miss my friend’way. He is my one constant from home and the only link I have to my life before the Lord Commander and his damned shadows barged into it.

I take a long shower and when I return to my bedroom, Orna is here, bustling around, picking up my discarded clothing and humming a cheerful tune to herself. I lean against the bathroom door frame for a second and watch her.

“How can you be so cheery when their kind makes you wait on someone like me?”

“Holy Mother of Crystals!” Orna says, clutching at her chest. “You scared me to death.” She turns to me, holding my clothes in her arms. “I am happy in my work, miss. Serving you is an honour, and I’m indebted to the Shadow Realm. I’m grateful for my position here.”

I crinkle my brow as I straighten and walk over to my dressing table. “Why are you indebted to them?”

Orna signals for me to sit on the stool, leaving my laundry by the door. Waiting for her response, I take a seat, and she begins running the comb through my unruly locks.

“My father died when my brother and I were only eight and ten. We had no other family and no one to care for us. We thought we would starve but then one day, a man wearing the shadow military uniform arrived at our village. He announced he was here to take us to our new home.” She frowns in concentration when the comb reaches a knotty piece of my hair. “He assured us we would be safe, cared for, and guaranteed employment and housing once we reach adulthood.”

“Why?” I ask her, confused. “Why would they do that? Were they responsible for your father’s death?”

Orna blinks. “Of course not. He died of natural causes, but he had sewn and mended their army uniforms for years and they recognised his service to them.”

I shake my head, confused. “Where did he take you?”

Orna places the comb down and begins styling my hair. “We went to live at Kyrrha orphanage. Named after the shadow queen. We lived alongside around forty other children of varying ages. All Asen.”

I grimace. An orphanage. “Was it terrible?”

She chuckles and looks surprised at my question. “Not at all. Why would you think that? It was wonderful.” She sighs and for a second I can tell her mind is somewhere else altogether. “I mean, it wasn’t our childhood home, but we had warm beds, food in our bellies, clean clothes. We had schooling each day, and they encouraged us, as we got older, to select a trade. We grew up safe and cared for.”

My frown deepens as I take in her words. “So, they didn’t beat you or mistreat you?”

Orna laughs again, as if my question is ludicrous. “No, of course not. The ladies at the orphanage were kind and caring. I’ve never witnessed the mistreatment of a child. It’s not something the queen would have tolerated.

“She visited?” I ask, now even more intrigued.

“Oh yes. At least twice a year. She’d spend a few days with us and read to us at bedtime and help with our schooling.” Orna smiles fondly. “She had such a kind soul. You just felt safe and warm in her presence. The ladies who cared for us said she visited more often in the past, and often would bring her two sons with her.”

My attention piques. “The royal princes?”

She nods as she walks into my dressing room, before returning with a pale cream dress with small white flowers sewn into the skirt. I frown at the dress in her hand and point at the pair of riding trousers and tunic top. “Oh yes, it was before my time. They would visit with her often. Apparently, they were very handsome.” She shakes her head. “All that changed when the eldest son died.”

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