Chapter Ten

  Morning came with the soft light of the late autumn sun shining in through the narrow window of Virelya’s room. She lay still in the bed, the necklace cold against her skin, the silk dress tangled at her legs. Dreams of memories had haunted her all night, each with one aspect that was out of place…at least from what she thought she remembered.

  Dornath’s voice from the dream lingered like an echo in the room.

  You can choose.

  Her fingers moved to the charm at her neck without thinking. It felt heavier than it had the right to. As if it held more meaning than a normal trinket.

  The rune at her wrist warmed slightly, and she flinched. Her skin felt bruised as if some deep ache laid waiting. They were only dreams though. Right?

  She swallowed against the sand in her mouth from sleep and sat up. The room titled slightly at the movement before settling. She looked down at the dress tangled around her. Aethryn’s other gift. She hated how exposed she felt and the tangled fabric suddenly made her feel very trapped. She swung her legs over the edge of the bed and tore the dress from over her head, throwing it across the room. The fire in the hearth had long dwindled to ashes and the cool air on her bare skin grounded her as she tried to take deep breaths.

  A knock sounded at the door just as she had gotten her heart rate back under control. Not timid, certain. And the door opened before she could answer just as she pulled the pants of her leathers into place.

  “Shadow,” Kaida’s voice made the name sound venomous. “Master Aethryn requests us both to join him for breakfast.” Kaida ran her eyes over the room then took Virelya in with a sneer. “Rough night? You look terrible.”

  Virelya said nothing as she reached for her shirt. She pulled it over her head and fastened the leather ties at her wrists. The movements were steady even though she couldn’t entirely feel her fingers.

  Kaida leaned a shoulder against the door frame. Watching her, studying, judging.

  “He’s not going to be happy waiting.” Kaida said, examining her nails like she hadn’t just been staring.

  Virelya pulled the laces on her boots a little harder than normal. The annoyance with the girl in front of her grew. She stood and grabbed her dagger from the bed side table fastening it at her hip before grabbing her cloak.

  Kaida’s eyes flicked to the weapon, then higher, to the necklace. The silver charm rested in the hollow at the base of Virelya’s neck, it still felt heavy. Kaida’s eyes lingered on it, something hungry flashed behind her green eyes before she masked it.

  “He gives you many gifts.” Kaida had tried and failed to hide the jealousy behind the comment.

  Virelya met Kaida’s green eyes with her sharp blue stare. “They aren’t gifts.”

  Kaida’s mouth twitched and her eyes flicked to the rumpled dress in the corner before coming back to Virelya. “And yet you still wear them.”

  Silence stretched between them before Kaida finally pushed herself off the doorframe stepping back into the hallway.

  “Well,” she said, turning down the hall. “We should disappoint him.”

  They walked the corridor together in silence. The keep was fully awake now. Servants passed them carrying trays and linens, their eyes on the ground. None of them said a greeting or acknowledged them. They never did. Kaida didn’t seem to even notice.

  Virelya had once thought it was just respect now she questioned. The rune pulsed just once. Warning.

  Kaida walked a step ahead. Posture straight, eager, almost bouncing on her toes with each step.

  Virelya watched her braid swing between her shoulders.

  So young.

  So certain.

  Is that how she had once been following Aethryn with blind devotion.

  If someone had tried to stop her back then would she have even listened?

  The rune pulsed again before she even finished the thought.

  The doors to the dining hall stood open and Kaida stopped smoothing her hands over her leathers, preparing.

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  Virelya felt her stomach drop. Understanding settling, Kaida wasn’t afraid of Aethryn, she wanted his approval.

  Kaida stepped happily through the doorway, light on her feet. Virelya’s feet felt like they were glued to the stones as she stepped forward.

  Aethryn was already waiting for them. His eyes found Kaida first then landed on Virely. A smile that said he knew everything graced his face. The rune burned.

  Aethryn stood at the head of the table, one hand rested lightly on the wood. The morning light poured in from the tall windows behind him. His black hair shone, his dark robes looked like living shadows. His gaze moved lazily between the two of them.

  “Good morning.” His words were soft and gentle.

  Kaida stepped forward, the smile in her voice was too obvious as she bowed her head to him. “Good morning master Aethryn.”

  Aethryn’s soft smile landed on Kaida then his eyes moved to Virelya she had stopped just inside the doorway her body stilling to the point of pain. She didn’t bow, didn’t take her eyes off the young girl in front of her.

  Aethryn noticed. He always noticed.

  “Sit.” Aethryn said with more bite than she was sure he intended.

  Kaida immediately took the chair to his right. Virelya’s seat. It had been her seat for years. She felt a sharp sting as if someone had twisted a small blade just behind her ribs. Virelya slowly crossed the room and took the seat on his left.

  Servants sat plates in front of them. The food smelled rich and heavy. Virelya’s stomach growled against her will.

  No one spoke. Aethryn didn’t eat. Meaning they had to wait. He watched.

  Kaida sat perfectly straight hands folded neatly in her lap, her eager eyes never leaving Aethryn.

  Virelya didn’t take her gaze off the plate in front of her. Her shoulders tense, waiting for the strike.

  “You both trained well yesterday,” Aethryn said.

  Kaida brightened instantly.

  “Thank you, Master. I will do all I can to continue to improve.” Kaida’s words spilled out in a rush.

  Aethryn’s eyes slid to Virelya, “And you, my little shadow?”

  The rune tightened and Virelya forced herself to breathe.

  She nodded her head slightly, her eyes still on her plate.

  Aethryn tilted his head, studying, calculating.

  “Hmmm, tell me little shadow,” Aethryn casually reached for his glass of wine. He always had wine. “How did you sleep?”

  The rune tightened…waiting…she felt the cold metal of the necklace against her skin.

  “Restlessly,” she answered.

  The rune warmed lazily, accepting.

  “Understandable,” Aethryn said thoughtfully. “One’s mind can become…troubled…when it carries thoughts it doesn’t understand.”

  He kept her pinned under his gaze, Virelya tried to shrink further into the chair beneath her. Kaida followed the exchange, her eyes flicking between them.

  “I’m not troubled.” Virelya whispered into her lap.

  The rune burned, sending sharp hot pain up her left arm. Her breath caught in her chest and Aethryn placed his fingers under her chin forcing her to meet his eyes.

  “But something has changed,” he flicked his fingers away, “had it not?”

  Kaida stiffened across the table, clearly she had not witnessed this side of Aethryn yet.

  Virelya said nothing, her breaths coming in short bursts. Her eyes wide as she stared at Aethryn, he remained calm. The rune tightened further, she felt as if it was sliding around her chest like a vice. Demanding submission.

  Tears began to form at the corners of her eyes, “I’m yours.” The words felt like poison as she said them. The rune loosened immediately. And her eyes fell back to her plate.

  Aethryn leaned back in his chair picking up his fork and began eating as if the exchange never happened. Kaida continued to look between them.

  “I have a new task for you both,” Aethryn’s voice returned to soft calm eyes falling gently on Kaida. “You will follow Virelya, watching and learning.”

  He had used her real name. Not blade. Not shadow. Not his. Just Virelya. His eyes moved to her sharper. “And you,” he paused, assessing her, “will teach her how I like things handled.”