Page 49 of Song of the Shadow Prince
“Yes, her arm,” he pressed, his gaze intensifying. “You need to look closely next time. It’s hidden most of the time, but it's there—an exact match to yours.”
I frowned as seeds of doubt began to sprout in my mind. This added a layer of complexity I hadn’t anticipated. My interactions with Arya had been carefully controlled, partly due to our respective roles and partly because of the charged atmosphere that always seemed to surround her. The thought that I might have overlooked something as significant as a matching mark was unsettling.
“Why would she hide it? And how can you be so sure about this?” I questioned, trying to grasp the full implications.
“I don’t know, Damien. That’s something you would have to ask her,” Uncle Bai said. “I saw it when… when Julian was attacking her.”
I whirled on him. “What?” I exclaimed. “He was attacking her?”
Uncle Bai nodded. “At the luncheon, she left the hall to relieve herself and I noticed Julian follow her shortly after. When they didn’t come back, I decided to check on things and found him trying to push himself on her. But…”
“But what?”
“You know the rumors, Damien,” Uncle Bai grimaced. “I don’t know what was wrong with Lady Arya today, but—”
“You mean the rumors that she’s having an affair with Julian?” I raised a brow. My uncle nodded. “She lost her memories, Uncle. She probably has no recollection of him, whether they were an item or not.”
“That may be the case since I found her arm wrapped around his neck, cutting off his air supply,” Uncle Bai said with a dry chuckle. “For a human, she’s mighty strong.”
“That she is,” I murmured, deep in thought. “I... I need to see it myself.” I wasn’t fully convinced, but I couldn’t ignore the gnawing curiosity Uncle Bai’s revelations had sparked.
Uncle Bai nodded, understanding the tumult of thoughts racing through my mind. “Check when you can, but be discreet, Damien. If it’s true, if she really has the mark, then things are far more complicated than we thought.Andfar more dangerous. With the emperor’s recent threats, Lord Zacharia will not let you anywhere near either of his daughters after this.”
I snorted. “I’d like to see him try.”
When nightfall descended,it was time to escape the island under the clouds of darkness and shadows. Shifting into my dragon form, I soared out of the volcano and angled toward the mainland, debating whether to go straight to the Ryder residence or to The Gilded Serpent to hear what Lysandra had learned. I decided on the latter.
I landed in a dark alley and walked the streets of the Southern District with my hood drawn over my head and my face obscured. Lights from The Gilded Serpent shone brightly as a beacon to those in need of a little female companionship. I stepped past the columns adorned with intricate carvings of serpents and golden accents and stepped inside.
Men from all economic walks of life filtered in and out of the brothel. It was the one place in all of Elaria that was considered a neutral zone where it didn’t matter who you were, whether you were a nobleman from the Northern District or a low-class citizen from the Southern District. As long as you had coin, you were welcome.
Rich wine and heady perfume swirled in the air as I strode across the room. Scantily-clad women flitted around, dancing among the men and ensuring their glasses remained full.
Keeping the hood of my cloak over my head, I pushed through the throng and took the stairs to the second floor. Without stopping, I went straight to my private room that Lysandra kept reserved for me. Checking to make sure I hadn’t been followed, I closed the door behind me. With a sharp tug on the cord hanging beside the door attached to a bell, I announced to Lysandra that I was here.
As I waited in the lounge area, my thoughts wandered to Arya. I slammed my fist on the couch cushion as I imagined being attached to that viper for a lifetime.
“Her? Of all people,her?” I muttered.
She was the most arrogant, snobbish woman I’d ever met. It was also no secret that she was sleeping with my older brother Julian. Even if she had conveniently forgotten their little arrangement due to her accident, her memories would return and they would carry on as they had prior to the accident. There was no way I would be able to convince her to leave him for me. And why would she?
We hated each other. That much was clear.
“The immortals had a sick sense of humor,” I whispered just as the door to the room opened and Lysandra slipped inside.
“You’re here early,” she purred as she closed the door and sauntered over with swaying hips to sit beside me. She frowned and started massaging my shoulders. “You look… upset, my lord.”
I shrugged her off. “It’s nothing. What have you got for me?”
Her frown deepened. “Uh… I got you a token to enter the Underclaw Market.”
My brows shot up. “How did you get that?”
She smirked. “Remember,” she sang. “Don’t ask questions.” She placed a red-tipped fingernail over my lips and I swatted it away.
“Any information on the vampires?”
She pouted and rubbed her smacked hand. “Not much. They invited a couple of girls over to the Citadel this coming weekend. One of my girls is going, so hopefully I will have more information soon.”
