Page 22 of Veil of Shadows

I would find Bastian.

I would uncover the truth of why he’d fled from his brother and what was keeping him in Faewood.

Because tomorrow was the first day of the rest of my new life, and for once, that thought didn’t fill me with sorrow—it filled me with joy.

CHAPTER 7

Morning sunlight bathed my chambers in soft light while noises from Jaggedston carried through the thick panes. The palace had been built high up, overlooking the city. I’d learned that much from my wild run through the palace. But while sounds from the city did carry through the windows, they were faint. Faint enough that when I’d first arrived, I hadn’t been able to distinguish them.

The bells, though, weren’t quiet. Every morning and well into the evening, the bells rang on the hour, letting the Stonewild fae know the time as they carried on with their busy lives. Considering the last toll I heard had been ten rings, I assumed Jax would be arriving soon, even if we’d been up until the wee hours of the morning.

Despite our late night, I’d woken early, too energized to truly sleep. Consequently, I’d been dressed for hours. Black breeches covered my legs, and I’d chosen the last remaining top purchased in Fosterton that I hadn’t worn yet. The blood-red long-sleeve garment was fitted throughout, except for the sleeve cuffs, which flared around my wrists. The cinched cut highlighted my waist, and the square neckline revealed a hint of cleavage.

Of my new clothing, it was the most revealing, yet it was nothing compared to the seductive gowns Guardian Alleron had forced me to wear. But the crimson color felt appropriate. Daring in a way. After all, it wasn’t the norm for an abducted female to join her captor and his gang of masked bandits on their quest to find his missing half-breed brother.

Too keyed up to sit still, I paced in my chambers, braiding my hair in the process. Once finished, I had a long, smooth braid down my back. Lillivel would have been aghast if she saw it. It was nothing like the intricate creations she’d woven through my hair, but it was the best I could do on my own.

I spared a glance at the frosted window, and my brow furrowed. “Where is he?” I whispered under my breath. The crown prince of Stonewild was indeed taking his time.

I turned and paced the other way across the chambers’ soft carpet.

A quiet knock abruptly came at the door, and my heart jumped into my throat.

“Finally.” I grabbed my bag and hurried to greet the crown prince.

The door cracked open, and I was about to call a greeting to Jax when a male I’d never seen before sauntered into the room.

I froze, my feet planting to the center of the chamber.

The male was tall and lean, an easy smile readily forming on his lips. Light-brown eyes regarded me from a handsome face, and thick mahogany hair covered his head.

“Before you panic,” he said, his tone low and deep as he raised his hands in a non-threatening manner, “I’m one of the prince’s friends, but we haven’t met yet, so no need to scream or faint or zap me with that powerful magic of yours, or whatever it is you’re considering doing.”

Magic indeed surged through my body, but some of the pounding in my chest slowed. I still clutched my bag protectivelyto my abdomen, as though the canvas sack would offer any protection from a male who truly intended to do me harm.

“Who are you?” I asked warily.

Once the door was firmly closed behind him, he dipped into a bow, the movement practiced and smooth. It hinted at a lifetime of court duties. “Lordling Alexander Maysin Pruveen Graniteer of House Graniteer at your service, but please, call me Alec. Everyone else does, including Jax.”

I loosened my claw-like fingers around my bag. The fact that he knew Jax’s nickname, when only his raider friends called him that, had to mean that Alec was one of them. But then my brow pinched.House Graniteer.Something about that rang a bell, and then I remembered whatever had pulled Jax away for three days had to do with that House.

“And what brings you here today, Alec?”

Alec’s smile widened, and his aura carried a sense of playfulness that had me relaxing my grip on my bag entirely. “Jax asked me to fetch you. He had to attend a council meeting this morning, and it’s running longer than expected. At the moment, he’s unable to leave, so he thought it made a good opportunity for your face to be seen in the palace more than the, um”—he covered his mouth, as though attempting to hide a smile—“the one time you were seen out of these chambers yesterday afternoon. He figured if the servants and nobles saw you about, with someone of such esteemed bloodline as myself, then they would be less inclined to ask questions, especially if you begin turning up at court events with us in the future. I am known, after all, for being quite appealing to the lovely females in our realm.”

Court events with them in the future?So Jax wasn’t going to keep me locked in these chambers every time we returned here. He truly was going to give me the best chance at freedom that I had in my new life with him.

I smiled tentatively. “Well, you know, in my defense, I had no idea you were all leaving for three days. If I’d known, I never would have tried to escape, and then you wouldn’t be here having to save face among the servants.”

He chuckled. “True, but since we can’t undo what’s been done, I hope you’ll accept my company this morning?”

“I suppose I could do that. Does that mean I don’t need this yet?” I indicated my packed bag.

“Correct, you can leave that here. We’ll retrieve it before we depart.”

He made a move to head toward the door, but I stopped him, knowing once we stepped foot into the hall, I would have to watch what I said. “Alec, you’re a member of the House that had the emergency the other day, aren’t you?”

He sighed. “I’m afraid I am.”

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