Page 104 of The Shadow Prince's Ruin
Kyran shushes me and reaches to my throat. I expect him to squeeze it in warning, but instead he grabs something I didn’t even realize was locked around my neck, and gently pulls me forward. “Not for as long as you wear this collar. Sylvan put it on you, at the risk of his own life. Do you deny the commitment he made in your name?”
“No! Of course not, Your… Highness,” I blurt out as Kyran lets go. “Please, help him, and I will be loyal like a dog. I will do whatever you want from me.”
The tiniest smirk appears on his lips. I have no doubt my future at his court won’t be easy, but all I care about is Sylvan’s life.
“Good. That’s what I expect from my loyal Sunwolf.” I half expect him to pat me on the head, but he doesn’t, and, to my relief, pulls away his sword. “Is your… bond with Prince Sylvan still there? I saw that you drained his shadow dry.”
I can’t bear that I took his power away, and I bite my hand, trying to contain the pain eating me up inside.
But his serene presence, and the slow, yet steady heartbeat I can hear alongside my own are still there, so I nod.
Lord Kyran scoots down like I’m a child in need of comfort. I feels ridiculous to be treated that way by a grown-ass man, a stranger. But right now, I do feel like some pauper wishing for nothing more but this royal’s grace, and assurance that all will be okay. That Sylvan will be taken care of if I just do as I’m told.
His gaze is much softer than before when he meets my damp eyes. “You can no longer be his Dark Companion,” he says, and I can’t help the sob escaping my lips. I never cared for that title, but Lord Kyran’s statement feels like a knife stabbed into myheart. He cups one side of my face and lifts it. “From now on, you will be his Bright Companion.”
Tears fall again, and I wipe them off with the back of my hand. “I hurt him. And I promised to keep him safe.”
Kyran sighs and places both his hands on my shoulders. There’s such comfort in their weight I find myself sobbing again. “He knew the risk of approaching a feral Sunwolf, yet he thought you were worth it. Be there for him in turn.”
I nod. “Yes, Your Highness.”
When he gestures toward a large black carriage with doors thrown wide open as the men in red coats carry Sylvan in, I crawl toward it on all fours, exhausted, scared, yet so very desperate to watch over him.
Tristan grabs my arm and hauls me up. I expect violence, but he pats me on the back and allows me inside the carriage.
The medic glances my way, their bright green eyes hopeful. “Sit here,” they urge me as Tristan shuts the carriage door behind us. “I do think we caught him in time. The state of his leg is questionable, but he will live.”
Whether Sylvan can still stand my presence once he wakes up, or not, I will be there to offer my aid. In any capacity he wishes.
I take hold of his lovely slender hand and place my nose and lips inside the cool, sweaty palm, hoping that a part of him will be aware of my presence. I promised loyalty to the Lord of the Nocturne Court, but it’s my tiny prince who truly has all of it.
Chapter 43
Sylvan
My mind is filled with fuzzy darkness, but it’s pleasant, like a comforter filled with warm wool. I can hardly feel my body, sunken into a bed so soft—
I sit up with a gasp, my eyes flying open.
“Hawk?”
Everything around me is a blur, but when a large, dark shape moves at me, and warm arms smelling of sun-kissed rock close around me, I know I’ve succeeded.
“Sylvan! You’re awake!”
My body is quite numb, but I hug him back as much as my limbs allow. I smell him, kiss his shoulder as my eyes regain focus.
We’re in an unfamiliar bedroom, but the massive moon is high up in the sky, and the blue-black decor tells me we are most definitely in the Nocturne Palace. The bed I’m in could fit three elves, the canopy has kelpies frolicking in the wavesembroidered over dark green silk, and a table next to me is filled with vials and boxes used for salves.
I kiss the side of Hawk’s face, too overwhelmed to comprehend it all. “I lived?” I ask, but Hawk only hugs me tighter. He’s shaking so much I feel compelled to comfort him, even though it’s me who’s in a sickbed.
“I’m so sorry! I don’t remember any of it. I didn’t want to hurt you.”
“I know, my love. But you recognized me. It was enough for me to help you.” It’s all coming back to me, and I’m dazed when I remember that I didn’t flee from those crystal teeth. I’ve never considered myself brave, but now I know that for Hawk, I’d be ready to do anything. Even sacrifice my shadow. All it takes is a gentle pull of my fingers to confirm that I have none left.
Hawk kisses the top of my head, exhaling as he rocks us back and forth. “Your cousins, they helped you, like I asked,” he tells me, and I take in the rest of the room. It’s not nearly as refined as my old quarters, but if we are to stay, there will be time to decorate the place up to our combined taste. Wherever this room is, I just hope it is far away from my mother’s residence.
I let myself melt into Hawk’s warm body, resting my cheek on his shoulder. “I… can’t feel my leg,” I choke out, afraid to look under the covers.
