Page 91 of Song of the Shadow Prince
“What are you doing out so late?” I asked gruffly as I watched her once meek appearance morph into one of anger and resentment.
“I should be askingyouthat,” she said tightly. “It’s not the third Sunday of the month. You shouldn’t be on the mainland,” she accused.
I nodded and tilted my head to the side, sensing the shift in her demeanor. “I’m here on business that doesn’t pertain to you, and I don’t need to explain my actions to you.”
Gianna scoffed. “Aryais your business? You used to hate her, yet now you want to spend time with her? So much so that you would risk your life to come on the mainland just to see her?”
I clenched my jaw in aggravation. I didn’t like having to explain myself, much less to Gianna. But she was owed this much. “Arya is the one,” I admitted coldly. “I’ll do anything for her.”
Gianna’s honey golden eyes widened at my admission and her mouth fell open. “W-What?”
My eyes narrowed. “You heard me. I don’t think I need to repeat myself.”
Her breathing accelerated and she started to heave. “You know how Arya has treated me! You know how cruel she can be!” she cried out. “How can you possibly love her?!”
I shrugged. “Love defies explanation, Gianna, but beyond that, Arya isn’t the same as she once was. She’s different.”
“No she’s not!” she exclaimed. “If you can’t see that, I’ll just have to prove it to you!”
I growled and took a menacing step toward her, forcing her to take a step backward. “If you do anything to hurt Arya, I won’t hold back,” I threatened.
Her beautiful visage shifted to one of scorn as she scoffed, “You would truly go that far for her?”
“Yes. I would.”
Tears streamed down her face and she turned away. “You’ll regret this,” she murmured. “Arya is pure evil. Always has been and always will be.”
With those parting words, she stomped up the walkway and disappeared inside the Ryder residence.
I shiftedon the coast and flew over the water’s edge under the cover of clouds until I reached Obsidian Reach. The inky night obscured me from sight, and I swiftly flew into the mouth of the volcano without being seen, diving to the bottom where our makeshift living room was located. Seeing my uncle waiting for me, I quickly shifted back to my human form.
I stretched my neck and arms as I walked to the living room where Uncle Bai was seated, reading a book. It was a long flight from the Northern District to the island. Usually, I traveled from the Southern District, so the flight wasn’t so bad, but the longer flight had tired me out.
“What took you so long?” Uncle Bai asked without dragging his eyes away from his book.
I sat opposite of him. “I took Lady Arya home.” I decided it was safest to continue the ruse that Cat was Arya. Maybe I was worried he might want to send her back to her world if he knew the real story. That he would say she didn’t belong here. Because truthfully, she didn’t. Her presence here could disrupt whatever balance Elaria had. But selfishly, I couldn’t find it in me to part ways with her, especially since she was my one and only chance at freedom, and possibly more. At least I hoped for more.
Uncle Bai finally looked up from his book and peered over at me. “Lady Arya, you say?”
I nodded. “I ran into her in the Southern District.”
“Have you confirmed the mark on her forearm?” he asked curiously.
Nervousness coiled in my gut. “Yes. It’s the same as mine… She’s the one.”
“Hmm, I figured as much. I wonder if she’s always had it? Lady Arya, of all people… So odd,” he mumbled and scratched his head in contemplation.
I shook my head. “No, she got it the night before the accident.”
“Ah, right, I remember shedidtell me that,” he said almost as if testing me… or her. “You know it’ll be difficult to wed her. The emperor has already banned Lord Zacharia—”
“I know,” I cut him off. “But I have to try. Even if we elope, I have to marry her.”
Uncle Bai chuckled. “Will Lady Arya be willing?”
I swallowed, fully aware of the answer to that question. She wouldn’t stay here with me even if I gave her all the gold in the world. I lifted my chin. “If not, then I’ll kidnap her. I’ll bring her to Obsidian Reach and lock her away.”
Uncle Bai choked. “W-What? Damien, are you unwell? You cannot simply kidnap a noblewoman!”
