Chapter 16

16

REYA

I 'm in a warm cocoon and I don't want to open my eyes and face the morning. My first day in Shadow Valley, and my first morning of not waking up at home with my family. My heart breaks a little, thinking about my little brothers. I miss them so much already. I always expected this would be difficult, but I wasn't ready for it because it happened sooner than I thought. I wasn't ready to say goodbye.

I frown when I hear someone else breathing. I open one eye. What in the Mother Goddess?! Wide eyed, I look at the man sleeping beside me. I look down at my body and his shadows dance and weave around me, wrapping us together.

"Tell your shadows to get off me right this instant?" I growl coldly.

His eyes flash open and for a second I'm dazzled by the silver-grey colour of them.

"Why are you in my bed? Uninvited?" I demand, attempting to shake off his shadows and get them to back off.

His eyes meet mine, and he clears his throat. "I planned to take you back before you woke."

I frown. Take me back. What does he mean? That's when I look around and realise I'm not in my new room anymore. I fight against his shadows that refuse to let me go. "You stole me from my bed? Who do you think you are, Commander? I am not your plaything!"

Raegal mutters under his breath and his shadows slowly unwind from around my body. As soon as I'm free, I jump out of his bed. He does the same and I don't miss the fact that he is wearing nothing but his underwear. Mother, help me. He looked glorious, every inch a fine specimen of muscle, but that doesn't detract from the fact I'm hopping mad at him.

"Care to explain?" I ask him, placing my hands on my hips and scowling at him

He sighs and runs a hand through his dark hair, which serves to distract me yet again. "The mutts have followed you here."

I blanch and wrap my arms around myself. "What do you mean, they followed me here? Maybe they followed you here, not me." I pale when I see movement from the corner of my eye and notice a rather large black wolf lounging on a blanket by the door. "Gods, is that a wolf?"

He shakes his head at me and strides over to a set of drawers. He pulls out a top and flings it at me and I catch it before it hits me in the face. "It's my wolf, Nyx," he says dismissively. "Can you change out of his clothes?!"

I bristle at his reference to Arkynn's T-shirt. How does he know it belongs to him?

As if he can read my thoughts, he replies. "I can smell him on you." His nostrils flare in disgust.

I fling the T-shirt back at him. "I will not wear your clothes, and I don't smell of him," I protest. "I've worn this T-shirt to bed for a long time. The only scent it carries now is my own."

He snickers and with his hands cupping the back of his neck, he paces on his side of the bed. "Trust me, you stink of him. How can I mask your scent when you stink of another male?"

"Wait a minute!" I yell, wagging a finger at him. "I didn't ask you to bring me here or mask my scent."

I yelp when his shadows leap from him across the bed towards me and tear the shirt from my body. I screech in shock and grab for the bedcovers.

"How dare you!" I hiss. He's stripped me naked. Without warning, he swiftly crosses the room and pins me against the wall. His shadows grip at the back of my neck and tilt my face up to his. I hold my breath when I see his eyes are pure black, the pale grey eyes nowhere to be seen.

"Raegal," I say cautiously.

His head tilts to one side at hearing me say his name, but he doesn't respond.

"You're scaring me," I tell him, my voice barely a whisper. His shadows tangle in my hair and hold me firmly in place. Carefully, I reach out my hands and place them on his chest, and I watch in fascination as his tattoos move on his skin in response to my touch. He closes his eyes and groans in a way that makes me unsure whether the reaction is from discomfort or pleasure.

"Raegal. Please let me go." My hand snakes over one of his tattoos and his black eyes widen as he continues to watch me and hold me prisoner. "Raegal, if you're in there, can you get them to release me?" I beg him, hoping my words will reach him.

The next thing I know, his shadows surround us, and I can't see anything beyond the two of us. His eyes are still black as night. I yelp when I'm dumped unceremoniously on the bed, then he's gone. His shadows evaporate as quickly as they came. I sit up and realise I am back in my room at the mansion. Placing a hand on my chest, I try to slow down my erratic breathing. What on Asen just happened?

A knock on my door pulls me from my shock.

"Morning, miss. Can I come in?" It's Orna.

I look down, remembering I'm naked, and I dive under the covers, pulling them up to my neck and shout for her to enter.

"Good morn, miss," she greets me cheerily, almost skipping into the room. How does she have so much energy this early? She strides over to the curtains and pulls them back; I wince at the bright light that invades the dark room, holding my hand over my eyes to protect them from the glare. Upon adjusting my eyes, I do a double take at the view. I climb to my feet, clutching the bed sheet to my naked body and moving across the room. The floor-length curtains have been hiding a set of balcony doors that offer amazing views across the valley. The black mountains shimmer and shine against the sun's rays, causing prisms of colours to bounce across the valley. It is breathtaking.

"Isn't it a lovely morning," she sings, as she watches me take in the view.

"Is it?" I grumble. Raegal had kidnapped me from my bed and forced me to sleep in his. Worst still, his shadows had stripped me naked and pinned me against the wall!

She arches a brow in response to my grumpy demeanour. "Did you not sleep well last night?"

I scoff. "I slept like a log. That's the worrying thing," I reply, frowning at the realisation that I slept so deeply the last two nights—wrapped up in his shadows. I hate everything he stands for, so how can I feel safe in his arms?

"Let's get you up and dressed, shall we?" Orna says cheerily, ignoring my comment. Reluctantly, I tear myself away from the view and follow her into the dressing room. She runs her fingers along a rail of dresses as she scans them, looking deep in thought.

"I'm not wearing a dress," I announce. "I don't wear dresses. They aren't practical." I fold my arms across my chest, showing that I won't be persuaded on the matter. "My outfit for the day is sorted!" I announce, grabbing my bag and pulling out a pair of my trusty black trousers, a shirt and a bodice.

She raises her eyes heavenward as she stares at my clothes. "Mistress Moryen will not approve of that look."

"Well, she'll just have to get used to it, because this is who I am and I'm not about to change."

Orna bobs her head, deciding not to argue with me. "Have it your way. Will you at least let me style your hair?"

I open my mouth to refuse, and she holds her hands together in a plea. "If the mistress thinks I'm not attending to you properly, then I may have my pay docked."

I blink in surprise. "Seriously?" She nods. "Okay, you can do my hair, but it needs to be practical, and I don't want any ridiculous bows or ribbons."

T hirty minutes later, Orna escorts me to the dining room. I would easily get lost in this place without her guiding me. I wouldn't like to guess how many rooms there are in this vast mansion. She holds the door open for me and releases a sigh as she takes one last look at me.

"Good luck," she says before scurrying off to do whatever it is she does when she's not looking after me. I walk into the room where Moryen is sitting at the head of the table. To her left is a petite auburn-haired girl with wide eyes and rosy cheeks.

"Oh, you're here! This is so exciting!" The girl jumps to her feet and claps her hands together. Rushing round to where I'm standing. I jerk when she attacks me, throwing her arms around me. "I'm so happy you're here. It can get quite lonely." She steps back and smiles up at me. She's tiny, probably only around five-foot-two at best. "I'm Saveya. Shadow Kissed, of course!" She gestures to her eyes, and she leans in, studying me closer. "Your eyes are darker than mine. How interesting."

"Saveya, you haven't come up for air," Moryen says from her seat, looking over the top of the large ancient looking book she is reading. "What have I told you about letting your excitement get the better of you? It isn't becoming of a lady. Sit, both of you."

Saveya grins at me and winks before she rushes back around to take her seat. I cast my eyes around the room as I take the seat opposite. Ash black wood panelling covers the walls, and an intricate scene of two winged, God-like men, engaged in battle adorns the ceiling. The large dining table dominates the room and could hold at a guess around thirty diners. With just the three of us here, it looks a little empty. A young, Asen girl rushes into the room carrying a tray. She deposits some fresh braeberry juice in front of me then places a plate full of food in front of me.

"I normally just have some oats in the morning."

Moryen addresses me without looking my way. "Well, here you will eat what we give you."

I frown, looking down at the food on my plate. Are they fattening us up for their men? Perhaps they have a preference for women with ample curves?

"Eretreya, Moryen tells me you are from Terleigh. It was awful to learn about the attack." Saveya winces. "It must have been terrifying?"

"We don't discuss such things at the dining table, Saveya," Moryen chastises her before I even have a chance to reply, and I offer her a smile of sympathy from across the table.

"I'll take you for a tour after breakfast. What would you like to see first? The ballroom? Ooh, or perhaps the orangery, or the gardens?" she asks me enthusiastically as she bites into a large piece of bread.

"I'd like to see the training facilities first," I announce, and this has Moryen putting down her book.

"The training facilities? Do you mean the classrooms?" Saveya asks me, crinkling her brow in confusion.

I laugh. "No, the training rings. Where we train in combat."

Saveya almost chokes on the food in her mouth. "Oh, they don't let us go near the soldiers' facilities. It's forbidden."

"Forbidden?" I repeat, hoping I have heard her wrong.

"Forbidden," Moryen repeats, studying me like I am a bug she'd like to squash. "We don't allow our females to mix with the soldiers. We can't have any unwanted breeding taking place. Your role here is to learn about the cultures and traditions of the Shadow Realm and to learn how to behave like a lady."

I snicker, and this has her glaring at me harder. "If we're so unsavoury and need refinery lessons, then why bother with us?"

Saveya sputters out her drink and winces, glancing between me and Moryen.

"We bother with you," Moryen replies, glaring coldly at me, "because we have no choice if we want to survive as a species."

"She's gone very pale," I hear Saveya say as I lose my shit in my head. "Do you think she's going to pass out?" she asks Moryen, glancing anxiously over at me.

"We're nothing but brood mares," I whisper, more to myself than anyone else. This has Moryen glaring deeper at me.

"You are a precious gift to our people. I will hear no more of this. Finish your food and then Saveya will show you the mansion and gardens. Just to reiterate, the soldier barracks are out of bounds to all Shadow Kissed females, Miss Lockwood."

I don't miss the look in her eyes that warns that I will not like the consequences if I break her rules and I finish the rest of my meal in silence.

Saveya practically skips out of the room, and I follow her, ready to see more of the mansion and get my bearings.

"What shall we see first? What is your favourite hobby? Sewing, music, or perhaps cookery?" She waits expectantly for my reply.

"Sparring. I'm good at sparring. I can't dance very well. I don't sew and I most certainly cannot cook."

Saveya's face drops and she taps at her chin. "Oh dear, well, we need to find something that you are good at that will appeal to one of the men. Do you read?"

I nod my head. Books I enjoy!

"The library it is, then! Men like a woman who is well read."

I follow her silently. She chatters non-stop, and I haven't a clue what she is talking about because I'm lost in my head. Being here really hits home that my fate is to be wed to a shadow male and to produce babies. My attention shifts when she throws open two double doors and I see what's inside. Gawping, I follow her in and turn in a circle as I take in the enormous library. It's double the size of the village hall in Terleigh and there's row upon row of bookshelves that reach about twenty feet high. Curiously, though, there are no ladders, so I have no idea how you reach the books on the higher shelves. There are various sofas and armchairs spread about the room and large marble tables and benches where you can sit and study. A crimson carpet covers the floor, and an enormous black marble fireplace houses a roaring fire, providing a warm and cosy ambiance.

"Wow, that's a lot of books!" I exclaim, as I walk over to one of the many bookshelves and study some titles.

"It's amazing, isn't it?" Saveya says, grinning at me. "I had a feeling you'd like the library. I enjoy reading, too. Do you like romance books? I can show you where the romance section is if you like?"

I glance around to check no one is around to hear my confession. "I'm partial to a good romance novel. Particularly the ones with the sexy villains."

Saveya giggles and guides me down an aisle near the back of the library. "l like you, Eretreya Lockwood, and I think we will be great friends."

"I've never had a female friend before," I say out loud, and I clear my throat and look away from her.

"Really? Everyone wanted to be my friend back in my hometown." Her smile drops briefly. "Of course, not all of them wanted genuine friendship. Some just wanted to be my friend, to be popular because of what I am."

I study her. What different experiences we have had as shadow kissed. "The girls in my village resented that I was chosen, and they hated me for it."

"Why?" she queries, scrunching up her nose.

"Because I'm not pretty enough or feminine enough in their minds to be chosen by the gods. Girls prettier than me would have been a better choice.

Saveya snorts in response as she leans against the bookcase beside me. "Not pretty enough! Are they blind? Sounds like they were jealous and bitter to me." She claps her hands together, her infectious smile returning. "What shall we see next?"

We spend the rest of the morning exploring the mansion. By the time the tour finishes, I feel like I have a basic knowledge of the layout of the mansion. I've learned that our days will consist of learning to be a lady, a good wife, and how to appeal to the men who will choose us at the reaping. I feel sick at the thought that this will be my life.

We finish the tour outside, in garden maze, and we take a seat on the vast lawn behind the mansion. The sun is beaming down on us and there isn't a cloud in the sky. It's a beautiful day.

"Are you happy to be here?" I ask her as I pick at the grass with my hands. Saveya lies back with her eyes closed.

"Yes, I am. I do miss my friends terribly and my dog, Erasmus, but I am doing a service to my town and ensuring they will be safe and will prosper for the next twenty-five years. I get to go to another realm, something Asen's often can only dream about. I'm going to be wed to a shadow male." She opens her eyes and grins at me. "I mean, have you seen them? They're so masculine and toned, and don't get me started on those grey eyes. I could stare into them all day." She sighs dreamily.

"Just the thought of being with one of them makes me feel sick. I've never found them in any way appealing." I shudder.

Saveya sits up and cocks a brow at me. "Really? Not even the godly looking Lord Commander who brought you here yesterday?"

"You saw us arrive?"

She nods her head. "I was excited about the news of your arrival, so I snuck to the landing when I heard voices. The Lord Commander is incredibly handsome. I wonder if he's going to take a wife at the reaping this year?"

I frown as I consider her question. Was he here to take a wife? He hates Asen's as much as I hate his kind. I couldn't ever imagine him lowering himself to take an Asen female as his wife. The black mark on my wrist tingles as my thoughts turn to him and I rub at it with my finger.

"I don't think so. He doesn't have a very high opinion of Asen women. Apparently, we're weak and one dimensional."

Saveya scoffs at my words. "Really?" she says in surprise. "He looked at you like he wanted to consume you."

I snort in response and grimace. "He did not." My mind drifts back to this morning and flush when I recall the way he stripped me of my clothes before his disappearing act.