Page 61 of Crown of Light and Ashes
Banu's delighted cackle follows me into the corridor. "About time! Tell Shadow Boy I said hello!" she calls just before the door swings shut behind me.
I stride through the palace with single-minded determination, checking the Shadow Observatory first. When I find it empty, I follow a servant's whispered directions through the corridors, tracking the distinctive pulse of shadow magic that marks my husband's presence. The ancient stone walls seem to pulse with my heartbeat as I pursue him.
When I round the corner leading toward the main reception halls, I find them. Kaan escorts Lady Ayla through the corridor, the woman practically clinging to his arm while maintaining the pretense of diplomatic interest. She gestures animatedly at architectural details, but her attention remains fixed on him rather than the palace features she supposedly came to admire.
I observe for a moment, taking in the scene with growing irritation. The woman is everything Banu described, tall and voluptuous with silver-streaked dark hair, draped in the burgundy and gold colors of the Neutral Territories. The way she leans into Kaan, looking up at him through lowered lashes while her fingers trail along his forearm, ignites something fierce and territorial within me.
My husband—and he is mine, whatever the circumstances that brought us together, appears politely attentive but maintains the controlled distance I've learned to recognize. His shadows move with their usual restless energy, but lack the focused intensity I've come to associate with his genuine interest. Still, there's something in his posture, a subtle amusement in the way he tilts his head, that suggests he's not entirely immune to the attention.
The sight of her touching him makes my teeth clench.
"Lord Kaan," I call, my voice carrying down the stone corridor with more authority than intended.
He turns at the sound, surprise flickering across his features beforesettling into that familiar mask of controlled amusement. Beside him, the woman straightens, assessing me with cool violet eyes that immediately mark me as competition.
"Lady Nesilhan," Kaan acknowledges, inclining his head with mock formality. "I was just showing Lady Ayla the architectural highlights of our home."
Our home. The possessive pronoun sends an unwelcome thrill through me, even as I notice how he emphasizes the word 'our.'
"How thoughtful of you," I reply with a smile that isn’t real. I position myself directly in front of them, forcing Lady Ayla to step slightly back. "Though I believe you and I have unfinished business to attend to, my lord. A matter of some... urgency."
Lady Ayla's grip on his arm tightens imperceptibly, her knuckles whitening slightly. "I'm sure whatever it is can wait until our tour is complete," she suggests, her tone honey-sweet but her eyes sharp as daggers.
The audacity of this woman, dismissing me in my own home, makes my light magic flicker dangerously close to the surface. I take another step closer, letting just a hint of golden energy dance around my fingertips, a subtle but clear threat.
"I'm afraid not," I counter smoothly. "Court matters take precedence over... sightseeing."
Kaan watches this exchange with barely concealed amusement, his shadows writhing with what I suspect is anticipation. There's something almost predatory in his expression as he observes two women competing for his attention, and I realize with a flash of irritation that he's enjoying this confrontation far too much.
"Perhaps we could continue tomorrow, Lady Ayla," he suggests, though his dark eyes never leave mine. "I do have other obligations that require my immediate attention."
The dismissal is polite but firm, and Lady Ayla's composurecracks slightly. She looks as if she's swallowed something sour, but recovers quickly with the practiced grace of a seasoned diplomat.
"Of course, Lord Kaan," she says with forced brightness. "The Neutral Territories understand the... demands of your position." She casts a dismissive glance in my direction that sets my teeth on edge. "Until tomorrow, then."
She departs with measured steps, her back straight with wounded dignity. I wait until her footsteps fade around the distant corner before fixing Kaan with a steady glare.
"You owe me a truth," I state without preamble, crossing my arms.
His eyebrows rise fractionally, shadows coiling more densely around his feet. "Do I?"
"Three truths from me, one from you. That was our bargain before you..." I pause, heat rising in my cheeks as I remember exactly how our encounter ended. "Before we were interrupted."
A shadow of something, discomfort, perhaps regret—crosses his face. "And you've chosen to collect now?"
"Unless you're too busy giving private tours to eager diplomats," I reply with false sweetness.
He studies me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then his mouth curves in that dangerous smile I've learned to both fear and anticipate.
"Come," he says, gesturing down the corridor. "My chambers will provide the privacy this conversation requires."
Without waiting for my answer, he strides toward the familiar wing that houses his rooms, shadows flowing in his wake like eager pets. I follow, my heart racing with an emotion I'm finally ready to name.
Whatever happens next, I'm done pretending I don't want my husband.
Chapter Eighteen
Shattered Walls
