Page 38 of Veil of Shadows

Forcing my attention away from the splendor and impressive structures, I began to search for barns.

Jax and his friends did the same. All of us shielded our eyes from the bright sun as the enchanted carpet sped toward the activity.

“There’s one.” I pointed southwest of the palace to a newly erected barn. Outside of it, corrals with simple fences held dozens of domals and other creatures from the Wood. A large roar abruptly cut through the morning sky.

“Stars Above. Do they have alarpanoonfenced in by the domals?” Alec gave a soft laugh. “Fools. If that thing gets loose, it’ll eat all of the domals for breakfast, and then all of the nearby fae for lunch.”

“Hopefully it won’t be as bad as the last Centennial Matches.” Trivan snickered. “One of those got loose and attacked several nobles from Ironcrest, nearly killed them and would have if one of them hadn’t been so powerful. He took the creature’s eyesight, allowing them a few moments to get away. If he hadn’t, they would have all died.”

I glanced at the huge larpanoon. It roamed in a lone pen near the domals, who all appeared skittish and continually whinnied.

The creature was generally only found in the northern Wood. It had powerful low hunches, tall withers, and long whiskers on its snout. Razor-sharp teeth hung from its gums. It generally inhabited caves in the rocky terrain of the Clawfur Mountain range in Mistvale. Occasionally, however, larpanoons would wander into northern villages and terrorize fae.

Larpanoons were some of the most feared creatures on our continent, and for good reason. Their teeth were not only sharp enough to cut through steel, but they were coated in a deadly venom, and their claws could rip through any magic. Even powerful fae with superior Shielding abilities, were no match for the fierce creatures.

“Smart move to remove its eyesight,” I murmured, “although I dread to think what games the king has in store for any fae arrogant enough to battle one. What do you think they’re going to do with it?” I angled my head toward the males.

Phillen shrugged. “That, Elowen, is what I’m wondering as well. I wouldn’t mind sticking around to see what your king has planned for the poor fae who end up in the arena with that thing.”

Trivan muttered a similar sentiment, and even Alec looked intrigued, but Jax didn’t even glance toward the corrals. All of his focus had zeroed in on the barn.

From the intent way he was studying it, I couldn’t help but wonder if he was trying to distinguish who the fae were walking around the outside perimeter. We were still too far away to see anyone clearly, but I didn’t spot any half-breeds with antlers.

“Are we going straight to that barn?” I asked Jax.

He frowned, then sighed heavily. His hand cut through his dark hair in an irritated stab. “We can’t. I have to make an appearance at the palace first to see the king. Since I’m here, attending as a royal, certain expectations are required of me, but the second I can get away, we’ll head there.”

“What do you want me to do?”

He shifted to face me, and his brow furrowed. Sunlight sparkled in his cerulean irises, and for the first time since we boarded the carpet, his gaze softened. “That depends entirely upon you. I won’t ask you to do anything you’re uncomfortable with, but considering that you know the king, and he is quite fond of you, that could prove problematic.”

I angled my head upward. “What’s your plan?”

“Well, I had an idea.” He leaned down and whispered it in my ear. My eyes grew rounder with every word he uttered. Straightening, he gazed down at me, his look intent and slightly...wild. Once again, that savage emotion clouded around him. “It’s up to you, but are you willing?”

My heart pounded as I was again reminded of what Alec had told me, but I managed to nod. “I can do that.”

A slow-spreading grin emerged on his face, yet all I could do was wonder how much harder this would make things come next summer.

CHAPTER 12

Jax landed the carpet in a small clearing just north of the palace. A Faewood attendant rushed forward, bowing deeply to Jax. “Shall I have your luggage delivered to your usual spot in Leafton?”

Jax handed him several rulibs. “Indeed. Thank you.”

The attendant bowed and began to roll up the carpet we’d ridden on. Laughter carried to us on the wind. Other fae glided toward us from along the Wood’s road, more spectators no doubt here to enjoy the upcoming Finals.

“Ready for what’s to come?” Jax held out his hand to me, his palm large and inviting. A moment of hesitation filled me, especially when his eyes grew hooded and his voice dipped to a husky whisper. “You don’t have to, but if you’re willing, this will explain why you’re now with me and why you’ll stay with me. Nobody will question this, and the king won’t be able to find a price that I would agree on to release you.”

Behind us, Alec smirked. And for good reason.

“I’m willing. It’s fine.” I took a deep breath and entwined my fingers with Jax’s.

The second our skin made contact, a flash ofsomethingfilled the prince’s eyes, and my magic surged, rushing toward him and wanting to join with him.

My breath sucked in, but in my next blink, that strange energy between us calmed, simmering to a more normal level.

Stars Above.

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