Page 104 of A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash

Kage yanked his arm free with a growl. ‘I doubt that.’

Still, he followed her.

With great reluctance.

The thought of having to listen to her for the duration of their journey to the library was agonising. She didn’t walk—she skipped, light and quick, her boundless energy an offense to his entire existence. She talked—endlessly, animatedly, with a voice that was both sharp and full of mischief.

Kage clenched his jaw, trying not to look too disgusted.

‘Ya would like me brother Bryn,’ Wren mused, eyeing him sideways.

Kage barely spared her a glance. ‘And why is that?’

Heshouldn’thave asked.

‘Becas he’s also tall, serious and enjoys brooding.’

His forehead creased. ‘I do notbrood.’

Wren laughed, nasal sound that grated against his ears. ‘Oh, yes. Ya will both like each othera lot.’

Kage exhaled through his nose.

She barely reached his shoulders, yet somehow, she carried herself like she owned every space she entered. He stared down at her, dark eyes sharpening. ‘And how are you so sure of that?’ he drawled. ‘Did you see it in a vision?’

‘No, it’s just a hunch.’ She grinned, showing white teeth, utterly unbothered by his mocking tone. ‘But ya ought to trust me, Kage Blackburn. Iseethings.’

The Council has kept me busy travelling from one kingdom to another. I sometimes spend months trapped in one land, trying to undertake whatever silly affair the Council wishes. I cannot help but wonder if they are doing this on purpose, trying to keep me as far away from the Kingdom of Darkness as possible. Somehow, they seem to know that something happened between Hadrian and me. And they do not want it happening again. So here I am, stuck in the Kingdom of Ice, watching the snow fall from their grey sky wondering what Hadrian is doing, and whether or not he even thinks of me the way I think of him.

Tabitha Wysteria

The afternoon sun spilt golden light over the gardens, where an extravagant picnic was being held. Laughter drifted up through the open window, a cruel contrast to the stillness within Alina’s chambers.

She stood before the mirror, gazing at her reflection—a girl draped in white and gold, a girl she did not recognise. The gown shimmered like sunlight on water, a masterful creation meant to announce her engagement to Prince Zahian. It was breathtaking. It was suffocating.

A single tear slipped down her cheek, trailing a silent path over her smooth skin before disappearing beneath the delicate lace of her collar.

Beyond the window, life continued without her. She was the only one drowning, the only one who felt the weight of inevitability crushing her ribs.

Ash did not know yet.

And when he found out…

She did not know how he would take it, but surely not lightly. They had always been each other’s shield, their bond a quiet rebellion against the world—even against their parents. But for the first time, Alina wondered if even Ash could save her now.

At least the dress is beautiful,Alina thought bitterly.

The door creaked open, and Queen Cyra entered, her sharp gaze sweeping the room with its usual air of quiet disapproval before settling on her daughter. ‘Why are you not outside? Your father is about to make the announcement.’

‘I have a headache.’ If she pretended to suffer from the same affliction that so often kept her mother locked away in her chambers, perhaps the queen would take pity on her.

‘So?’

‘I needed to lie down for a few minutes.’

Queen Cyra rolled her eyes. ‘Enough, Alina. Hurry up and head downstairs.’

Clearly, her plan had failed.Fine. She would move on to the next one.

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