Chapter 22

22

REYA

I wake the following morning, and I'm relieved to say I had no strange dreams. There's also no brooding male beside me with his inky shadows wound around my body. When he came to my room last night, I thanked him for taking me sparring and told him it really meant a lot to me. He'd coughed and said it was nothing, that he'd have done the same for any Shadow Kissed, and I felt stupid for thinking he'd gone out of his way to make me happy. Of course he hadn't. I was just a silly Asen girl who he'd made clear what he thought of from our very first meeting.

Heading down for breakfast, I overhear him in the entrance hallway talking with Moryen. I only catch the tail end of the conversation, not wanting to be caught eavesdropping again. But I'd heard him tell her he's returning home soon, and he asks Moryen if there's anything she needs from home or any messages for him to pass on. Moryen tells him to tell his mother that the next time she visits the orphanage, she is to call here for tea. So, Raegal's mum also visits the orphanage. The elite women of their society must feel like they are doing good work by visiting the poor Asen orphans. Maybe they would make better use of their time if they concentrated on why they were infertile and how to provide their men with children instead of pretending to care about our orphans. I round the bottom of the stairs as he's exiting.

"You're leaving?"

He turns, looks over his shoulder at me, and nods, a frown etched across his face. "Not tonight, but soon," he informs me before he smiles tightly at Moryen and closes the door behind him. To Moryen, that exchange would mean little, but to me, it is his assurance that he will be back in time to lie with me and cover my scent.

"Right, breakfast," Moryen announces. "I think we will have a walk over to the market this morning."

"All of us?" I ask, hoping we can escape this stuffy mansion for a few hours.

Moryen nods her head briskly at me. "All of us, but Reya, I expect you to be on your best behaviour."

I nod in response to her pointed look. Message received. I will be the epitome of a lady.

T he market in the Shadow Valley lies over on the west side of the valley. I can't help but gawp like an idiot as we walk there. The architecture here is truly breathtaking. It looks different in the daytime. The white floors contrasting starkly with the dark brick buildings that twinkle in the sun's light. We pass a grand black brick building with beautiful large arched glass windows and tall steeples that line the rooftop. Large stone steps lead up to the two large doors.

"What is that building?" I ask Moryen, who walks a few paces ahead of us, shielding her pale complexion with a parasol.

"That's our library and museum. It holds many special, ancient scrolls and important artefacts. Our king decided to house them on Asen after the great library and museum in our own realm were almost destroyed by fire after a vicious attack by our enemies," she replies, quickly turning her attention back ahead of us.

"It's stunning," Saveya says with a dreamy smile and a sigh. "Look how the windows reflect the view of the mountains. Can we visit it sometime?" she asks Moryen hopefully.

Moryen doesn't turn to answer her, continuing to walk at her brisk pace. "You will visit the library as part of your studies during your time here at the mansion."

Saveya squeezes my arm in excitement. "I can't wait for classes to begin! I'm so excited to learn more about the Shadow Realm."

I force myself not to roll my eyes. I have no desire to learn more about their realm. I sometimes wish I could be more like Saveya, and view everything with rose-tinted glasses, but I'm not that kind of person.

Saveya gestures across the valley. "Aren't the gates to the valley amazing?" I follow where she points, and my eyes widen. I haven't had a chance to see the gates properly since my arrival, having shadow weaved here with Raegal. We didn't enter the valley through the main gated entrance. I call them gates, but in reality, they are large stone doors standing around eighty feet tall. I can see from here that they feature intricate carvings of figures and animals. For anyone standing outside the entrance of these gates, they would remind the visitor of the dominance and power of the Shadow Borne and their foreboding presence here on Asen. They are there to defend the valley and its inhabitants but also to intimidate those entering them. How do the rebels stand a chance against a realm of such power and magnitude?

We reach the market and it's larger than I expected it to be, with row upon row of busy stalls. The market is bustling with a mix of the valleys residents and soldiers purchasing goods and items. Saveya is looking everywhere, her eye's lighting up when she spots a stall selling hair accessories and gloves.

"Mistress, can we visit the stall with the pretty hair bows?" she asks Moryen eagerly, nodding her head as if it will encourage her to agree.

Moryen frowns but nods her head. "I need to visit the crystal weaver." She points a finger at me. "I trust you can behave. Out here you are representing the academy and the reputation of all Shadow Kissed."

I nod my head at her. "Of course."

She seems unsure for a second, but then she sighs. "Go on then, and no fraternising with the soldiers. Remember, I have eyes and ears everywhere!" She turns on her heel and strides off towards her destination. Saveya grins delightedly and drags me towards the stall she had her sight set on.

"Look at all these pretty bows. Ooh, I like this pink lace one! What do you think?" She reaches out for it then holds it out in her palms to show it to me.

"Cute," I say with a forced smile. She laughs at me, ignoring my lack of enthusiasm, and chats with the stall holder about all the ribbons on offer. My attention drifts across the valley to where the army barracks are situated. I need to have a conversation with Arkynn. Moryen's words ring in my head about behaving, but what she doesn't know won't hurt her, right?

"Saveya." I tug on her dress sleeve, leaning closer whisper in her ear. "I need to see Arkynn. I'll be back real soon."

Saveya chews on her bottom lip. "You heard what Moryen said. If you're caught, you'll be lucky if she lets you take one step out of the mansion grounds again."

I shrug my shoulders. "I'm willing to take the risk. You're okay, right, on your own for a bit?"

Saveya looks around, assessing the busy market. "I'll be fine but promise me you'll be safe and that you'll hurry."

"I will," I assure her with a confident grin. I leave her to her shopping and weave my way through the bustling crowd. I spot an Asen soldier I recall being part of the convoy that came to Terleigh, and I walk over to him and tap him in on the shoulder. The soldier turns and drops his gaze to me, and a smile breaks out on his face as he looks me over.

"Well, hello there, gorgeous. What can I do for you?" His brown eyes twinkle flirtatiously.

I roll my eyes. Seriously, does he think I'm here to flirt with him? "Were you part of the convoy to Terleigh?"

He nods his head. "I was. I also helped protect the village during the mutt attack," he says proudly. Clearly, he's used this story to talk women into his bed.

"Same," I say dryly, not in the least bit impressed. "Anyway, do you know where I can find the soldier Arkynn Farsworn? He is a recruit from Terleigh?"

The soldier smirks and nods his head. "Yes, I know of him. Aren't your kind forbidden from romantic liaisons with us?"

I frown and step closer to him, not wanting anyone around us to hear our conversation and report back to Moryen. "He's not my lover! He's a friend and I need to speak with him urgently."

The soldier's smirk widens. He clearly thinks I'm lying. "Sure thing. He's over in block E."

I nod my head and, with a quick thank you, head off toward the barracks. I walk as fast as I can without raising suspicion. Now to get to his block without being seen. I spot a service cart over the by the side entrance full of clean linens, and I grab a pile large before pushing my way through the door. A soldier on watch glances up from his post.

"Clean linens for E block," I say. I keep the pile of linens in front of my face, concealing my telltale lilac eyes from him.

"Down there, right then second left." He points behind. I need not have worried, as he barely glances my way before he returns his attention to the book in his hands. Some soldier he is!

I head in the direction he instructed and grin to myself when I spot block E. I push open the door with my hip and announce myself.

"Fresh linen delivery!"

"Just over there, by the bench," says a voice I know all too well. I place the clean linens where he instructed and glance up to find Arkynn is there, sitting on his bed, busy shining his boots. I glance over at another soldier, who is busy folding his freshly laundered uniform.

"Just here, did you say?" I repeat, hoping Arkynn will look up. He frowns and raises his eyes and recognition flares.

"Yeah, just there. Let me help you." He strides over and takes half the bundle from me. "What are you doing here? Are you trying to get me in trouble?" he whispers, looking behind him to check the other soldier isn't listening or watching.

"I wanted to see you and check if you are okay. Arkynn, you must help me escape. I can't do this. I can't marry one of them." My eyes plead with him.

He touches my elbow and guides me to the door. "Let me show you the way back," he says slightly louder, making sure the other guy hears him. He leads me outside and round the side of the building.

"What's happened?" he asks me, crowding me against the wall. "Has someone hurt you?"

His eyes flash with the promise of retribution.

"No," I say, placing my hand on his arm. "I just can't do it Ark. I can't live that life. You have to help me."

He glances around us and leans in. He caresses my cheek, and I turn away from his touch. He winces at my rejection. "There's a rebel meeting this evening in the next village. Come with me. If you'll work with us, I think I can convince Corlan to help get you out before the reaping."

A flicker of hope flares in my chest. "You really think so?"

He nods his head, glancing around us again. "Meet me round the back of the temple at six sun dials. I'll bring you some clothes so we can disguise you."

I nod my head and grin at him, hope blossoming. "Okay, I'll come with you. Is it safe? What about the mutts?"

He takes hold of my hand and tugs me forward into a warm hug. "Gods, I've missed you. We'll be back before dusk, I promise."

Reassured that I will be back and in bed before Raegal arrives, I awkwardly step out of his arms. As much as things have changed between us, he is my only reminder of home, of the familiar and the safe. It has been comforting to see him and speak to him. "I need to go. If Moryen finds out I've been here, I'll have no chance of stepping foot out of my room, never mind the mansion. Catch you later."

Arkynn nods his head and, with a quick squeeze of my hand, lets me go. I sense his eyes on me all the way along the pathway. It's strange to think about how things have changed. At one time, I'd have done anything to have him look at me the way he just did—with hope and longing. Now though, I realise those feelings I had for him were nothing but a childish crush.

I make it back to the market and seek Saveya. I know to start with any stalls that sell pretty accessories. Sure enough, I find her at a stall buying some selenite trinket bowls.

"Thank the goddess! I was thinking Moryen would be back before you were!" she says, clutching at her chest. "Aren't these pretty? I bought you one too." She offers one to me and I stare at the gift in her hand for a second. I've never had a female friend before, and her buying me a gift hits me hard.

I swallow deeply as I take it from her. "You didn't need to do that."

"Sure, I did. You're my friend," she replies, batting away my comment with her hand. "Come on, I noticed a stall over there selling rowanberry cakes."

Smiling and feeling unsettled at the fuzzy sensation in my chest, I let her drag me over to the cake stall. I am so used to girls my age being cruel and playing games with my trust that it is hard for me to let Saveya in. I know she is genuine and not trying to lure me in only to hurt me, but it's hard to move past years of being ostracised and hated by my peers.

Moryen returns just as we are paying for some of the delicious cakes. She returns with a basket full of potions and bottles. Saveya convinces her to let us visit one last stall that sells fresh flowers before she insists we head back to the mansion for some lunch. Saveya chatters away about the market as we walk back, but I'm lost in my own thoughts, and don't really hear a word she is saying. I'm preoccupied with thinking about what this evening will entail. My body is pumping with adrenaline and anxiety. I am playing a dangerous game. If I'm caught, God knows what it will mean for my brothers and my hometown, but I feel this is something I have to do. I won't allow the Shadow Borne to dictate my life. I don't want to just marry some unknown shadow male and be his doting little wife, popping out lots of little shadow children. I long to choose my own path in life, and not have it dictated to me.

We have lunch with Moryen, and I rub at my head and complain of a headache coming on. Moryen suggests we go to the library and get in some advance preparation for our studies by reading up about the temple of Arawn. So, we head over to the library and Mistress Aysel helps us locate the books we need, then we settle in for the afternoon in armchairs by the large arched window that looks out across the valley. Now and then I remember to rub at my head and Saveya asks me if I'm okay. I hate deceiving her like this, but if I'm to make the excuse to escape to my room for the evening, then it's a necessary evil.

Ever since Arkynn told me about attending the rebel meetings, I'd been curious. I didn't think they had a chance against the Shadow Borne, so I'm intrigued to see how many will attend the secret meeting tonight.