Page 11 of Song of the Shadow Prince
I looked up and stared into the eyes of a very tall man. Standing at least six-feet-five inches, he towered over me, which was saying something since I was fairly tall myself. His ebony hair gleamed like a raven’s wing, glossy and untamed. Dark eyes glistened in the sunlight, their intensity almost unsettling. His sharp jawline and Roman nose lent a striking, almost regal appearance, and his muscular build suggested a life of physicalrigor. He was imposing, to say the least, and the most beautiful man I’d ever seen. My mouth fell open, snapped shut, then fell open again.
There was a darkness to him that screamed a dozen red flags, but obviously I wasn’t good with heeding those given my history with Fernando, my cheating ex-boyfriend. Then I remembered I was somewhere strange, and he was unknown. I mustered up my courage, refusing to let his otherworldly beauty stun me.
I tried to yank my wrist free, but his grip was like iron. “Dude, let go!” I took a big step back and twisted my arm out and around. The maneuver forced him to release me and I stumbled backward, glaring at the handsome bastard.
He furrowed his brows and watched me carefully, his gaze sweeping up and down my form before he turned away. “You shouldn’t be out dressed like that,” he grunted. “You’ve caused enough trouble already, Arya. Stay in your room before—”
“Do I know you?” I raised an eyebrow, unable to keep the annoyance from creeping into my voice. I wasn’t sure whether I was annoyed because I wanted to jump his bones, or because he seemed like a total asshole. “And what’s wrong with what I’m wearing?” I glanced down at the long-sleeved nightgown. “It’s covering all the naughty bits. I’ve gone to Walmart in worse,” I chuckled.
“What?” He whirled around to face me, disbelief in his eyes. “Stop messing around, Arya. You’re not fooling anyone with this act, much less me. Let me make myself crystal clear:you will leave Gianna alone. If I hear you are bothering her again, I won’t be as kind,” he growled, stepping closer, his presence invading my personal space.
Yeah, definitely an asshole.
I frowned and pushed against his solid chest. “Who the hell is Gianna?” I demanded. “Personal space, buddy. Learn about it. I don’t know youorher, and honestly, I don’t care to. So be gone!”I tried to move around him, but he grabbed my arm and stopped me in my tracks. The shot of electricity that rocketed through me at his touch made me flinch.
“Arya!” His minty breath heated my skin as he glared down at me like he was about to devour me.
He called my supposed name with a familiarity that sent goosebumps up my arms. We stared each other down, neither willing to back down. His gaze pierced me and sent a shot of coldness through my veins that you would think would be uncomfortable, but it was anything but. It was like a shot of adrenaline. Before I could respond, we were interrupted.
“Damien!” a shrill voice cut through the tension. “Arya!”
Locked in a fierce stare, neither of us looked away for several long moments. Finally, he released me and stepped back, though his eyes never left mine.
“Arya, are you okay?” the woman's voice called again.
I smirked and turned to face our new visitor. She was a beautiful young woman who bore a striking resemblance to me, almost as if she could be my twin. Her honey-brown eyes were wide with concern, and her golden skin glowed in the sunlight. Dark, wavy hair framed her face, making her look like a vision from a dream. But where she was slim, I was curvy.
“I’m fine.” I smiled at her and tried to appear composed. “And you are?” I raised an eyebrow.
Her eyes widened in shock. “Arya… it’s me, Gianna… your sister.”
The revelation hit me like a punch to the gut. The courtyard blurred as I tried to process what she just said. This beautiful, concerned woman was my sister? Trilling birds, rustling leaves, and the burble of a distant fountain faded into the background as I grappled with this new, bizarre reality.
Sothiswas the infamous Gianna. I chuckled. “Ah, soyou’reGianna.” I glanced at the brooding beast behind us who Isuddenly wanted to touch again. “Put a leash on your boyfriend. He nearly pummeled me because of you.”
Her eyes widened, panic evident. “He... he’s not my... he’s not—”
“Look, I don’t care.” I waved off her protestations. “Just deal with him.” I attempted to walk away when she gently took hold of my hand.
“Are you okay?” she whispered, her voice trembling with concern. “I heard...”
“Look, I’m not your Arya!” I said, pulling my hand from her grasp. “Sorry, but you saved the wrong person. You might want to go back to the river and find her.”
Gianna laughed awkwardly. “That’s not funny, Arya.” She glanced nervously between me and Damien.
“I’m not trying to be funny,” I said seriously. Damien narrowed his gaze at me as if trying to analyze every single word and move I made.
“Lady Arya!” Maeve shouted from across the courtyard, hurrying toward us with an older gentleman in tow. “Lady Arya, what are you doing out of your room? The cold air cannot be good for you in your condition!” She finally reached me, the old man huffing and puffing as he tried to catch up.
“Maeve, what’s wrong with my sister?” Gianna asked, true concern coloring her voice.
Damien scoffed and sent me a glare. “Can’t you see she’s lying?”
I rolled my eyes and flipped him off. “Fuck off, you twat.” Everyone stared at me as if I had three heads, clearly not understanding the word or gesture. “Never mind.” I crossed my arms over my chest and glowered instead.
“Lady Gianna, I believe my lady hit her head and has forgotten who she is,” Maeve explained, ignoring my outburst. “It’s why I brought Healer Ilan.”
Gianna nibbled on her lower lip, wringing her fingers. “Very well, then hurry along. Take her to her room and keep me updated on her condition.”
