Page 52 of Veil of Shadows

Nodding, I stood, and the others did the same. Several muffled conversations reached my ears as the siltenites sitting near us spotted us leaving. From their curious stares and blatant questions that were loud enough to carry on the wind, it soon became apparent that more than one was wondering who I was.

But while the prince kept a firm grip on me the entire walk out of the arena, I could tell that his thoughts were scattered since he never even glanced toward them. A troubled frown had descended over his features.

I wasn’t surprised. Not only had we not found his brother here, but Bastian’s actions made no sense based off what I’d learned of him. Because if his brother had indeed come here to compete in the Matches or support his friends or findemployment or simply watch the Matches for enjoyment, he would have told Jax that. He wouldn’t have disappeared so mysteriously and certainly not months prior. There was nothing logical about it, especially since Jax and Bastian were so close.

Once free of the stadium, Jax’s attention shifted back toward the barn, and then the tall pine in the Wood. None of us could see Trivan, but we all knew he was there.

“Alec?” Jax nodded toward the Wood. “Do you want to take Trivan’s spot and tell him to meet us at the inn?”

Alec dipped his head. “I was waiting for you to ask that.”

The noble jogged off while Lars and Phillen remained at the prince’s side.

Jax approached one of the wildling staff. “Are there any enchanted carpets available?”

The wildling bowed. “Of course, Prince Adarian. I’ll have one summoned immediately.”

We didn’t have to wait long. A moment later, a large enchanted carpet raced toward us, flying only feet above the ground.

When the carpet glided to a stop, the wildling bowed. “Your ride, my prince.”

Jax nodded in thanks. Lars and Phillen hopped onto the carpet first, one standing at the front, the other at the back. Jax stepped on next, then offered me his hand. The gesture seemed entirely automatic given the haunted expression and faraway look he wore.

I took his outstretched hand, nibbling on my lip, then seated myself beside the prince at the carpet’s center.

Jax muttered a command, and the carpet took off.

Wind whipped through my hair, and as though entirely unaware of what he was doing, Jax wove a cloud of his air elemental magic around us, and the wind halted. Once again, it was as though he did the gesture without even being aware of it.

My brow puckered in concern as I studied Jax’s profile. Ever since it’d become apparent that hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of half-breeds were present at the Matches, the aura around Jax had steadily pulsed.

I couldn’t help but wonder if he feared his brother had intentionally left him with no plans to ever return to Stonewild. That perhaps he’d packed up in the middle of the night with a group of half-breed friends, and he feared that his older brother wouldn’t support whatever decision had driven him to do that.

“We’ll find him.” I squeezed the prince’s hand.

Jax started, his expression momentarily clearing. His gaze dropped to where our fingers were entwined, and I realized I’d initiated our touch, not him.

Irises that were an endless blue met mine, and the swirling fear in them made my heart clench. “I hope so, Elowen. I really do.”

“We will.” But even to my ears, the words rang hollow because a part of me was starting to wonder if his brother even wanted to be found.

If Bastian had left in such a clandestine manner without any word to his family, perhaps he’d chosen to leave Jax behind.

And given the prince’s expression, once again morphing into one of hurt and betrayal, I was beginning to wonder if he was reaching the same conclusion.

CHAPTER 16

The carpet took us to a large inn, located in the heart of Leafton. The prince made a show of our arrival, his earlier concern for his brother entirely masked as he nuzzled my neck when we entered the establishment. His affectionate gesture made it hard to breathe. I was barely able to appreciate the inn’s grand entryway with soaring ceilings and twisting vines crawling up the stone walls.

Several inn employees stood at attention, checking in guests, but Jax didn’t halt and instead strode straight toward the salopas on the ground floor, my hand firmly in his grip. His guards kept pace several steps behind us. Violin music from enchanted instruments played near the salopas entrance and filled the air with beautiful chords.

The prince led me toward a corner booth. The light grew dimmer, the brightness of the entryway falling behind us as he wove us deeper into the drinking establishment.

Even though Leafton had been my home for the past season, while Emerson Estate was being constructed, I was still relatively new to living in the capital. I didn’t know many of the entertainment venues or how to traverse the winding streetsof its inner city. Even so, I tried not to look like a gawking spectator.

At the booth, Jax tugged me in with him, and he didn’t stop until he had a clear view of the entire room. With his side pressed firmly to mine, he finally settled while Phillen and Lars stood at attention at each end of the U-shaped booth, not sitting.

“Why are we here?” I asked the prince quietly. I could have sworn that the prince mentioned something about staying at his private residence, not an inn.

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