Her King Of Shadows

Chapter XXXI.

She was getting stronger. In only three days she could already walk more. The pain was still there. But it was manageable. The worst was her shoulder. That is where he bit her hard. Sometimes she would have a feeling as if her wound was getting infected. It hurt really badly. But Victoria explained that it was meant to hurt. It was meant to cause pain. And it would take a long time to heal. Araphel had the power to inflict pain. She was no different. Shana decided that she would not wait any longer. This was not her home. She couldn’t close her eyes or go to sleep, not expecting the worst to repeat itself. She couldn’t spend another night in the same place as him. Knowing that he is close. Aware that nobody will stop him if he comes to her again.

She walked outside of the castle just wearing jeans and a black sweater. Making them think that she was going for a stroll. Instead of going to the park, she went to the woods. The sun was up but the wind was getting stronger. She had two hours of daylight left but she thought it would be enough to bring her back to the border of his property. There had to be other people here. There had to be a road leading somewhere. She knew how desperate she was to do this, but they didn’t leave her any choice.

She needed to get away. Or at least try. She followed a trail, passing naked trees and boulders. The terrain was not too bad. She used to go hiking all the time on her father's property. She walked as fast as she could and as long as she could. Her body was still weak but she pushed herself. Hiding her cold hands in the pockets of her sweater. The light was getting weak. But there was nothing but woods all around her. The trail she followed had to stop somewhere. It had to lead her somewhere. She spent more than two hours walking and taking only short breaks. It was even harder losing daylight. She didn’t know which way she should go. It was getting difficult for her to see the trail. She stopped until the moon came out. It was even hard to use the moonlight because of the tall trees. At least it wasn’t completely dark. Slowly she stood up from the ground, ready to continue. She was really cold now, but even the coldness was better than being near him. Before she made a step, she heard twigs snapping near her. Someone was here.

Her heart started beating faster in fear. What if he had found her? What if he had sent people after her? She didn’t dare to move. But there was a figure coming her way. It was not possible to see their face.

-Who is there?-she heard a cautious voice. It belonged to a young woman. Shana dared to take a breath. She put her hands in front of her.

- I'm sorry if I scared you. I'm lost in the woods.-she offered a smile. She knew by her scent that she was harmless.

-Which way did you come?-there was another question. Now she saw a tall girl with wavy brown hair looking at her. She seemed worried.

-I left the castle a couple of hours ago and lost my way.-Shana said the truth. Something told her that was the only way.

-You have gone a long way.-she noticed her clothes. -Come on. You must be freezing.-she waived her. Shana still stood.

-If you just show me the way to the closest road, I will be on my way. I don’t want to disturb your evening.-she still hoped to get away.

-Don’t worry about it. I will call the castle and they will send someone to get you. They always tell us to call them if we need to.-her voice was welcoming now. Shana didn’t have a choice but to follow her. They stepped out of the forest into a small yard. In front of them was a low house with a nice wide porch. -My name is Louis. I stay here with my brother Damien. I guess we are your first neighbors.-she said.

-Im Shana.-Louis looked at her as they walked.

-I never saw you before. We know most of the people staying in the castle.-she was curious. They went to the house and Louis led her to a comfortable kitchen with an open living room. The place was warm and decorated in green and brown colors.

-I arrived just a week ago.-she answered, coming closer to the fireplace. Her hands were red from the cold. A tall man with short brown hair was sitting at the kitchen counter. She met his hazel eyes.

-Damien, meet our guest Shana. I just found her in the forest when I was checking our plants.-she introduced her brother. He nodded his head to her. Shana gave him a slight smile.

-You're coming from the castle?-he wondered.

-I was taking a walk and got lost. New surroundings.- Shana explained again.

-You're not dressed for a walk.-he said, looking at her jeans and a sweater. Shana knew she couldn’t fool him.

- I'm a city girl. I would always be underdressed.-she didn’t want to explain. She saw Louis on the phone talking to someone.

-How old are you?-Damien wondered. She kept her eyes on him. Something was telling her to be careful. He would smell a lie if she told him one.

-Would you like a cup of tea? You must be hungry.-Louis came back and pushed her towards the kitchen. She took a seat on the counter, leaving one space empty between her and Damien.

-Tea is fine.-she whispered. But Louis had already prepared a plate of red bean soup with homemade bread. It smelled wonderful.

-We don’t get many visitors from the castle. -Damien said ironically. Louis gave him a stern look.

-I have already called them. Araphel said he would come and get you.-she informed her. Shana stopped eating. He will have to send someone. Louis must have misunderstood him.

-You are his guest?-he never stopped with questions. She took a sip of her tea.

-Our families have been connected in the past. My father sent me here to spend some time away from home.-Shana gave them the basics.

-Well, we are happy to meet you. You should visit us again.-Louis was honest. But her brother kept looking at her suspiciously. As if he knew the truth. She looked at his hazelnut eyes again, trying to figure out what he was thinking about.

-Have you been neighbors for a long time?-it was her turn to ask questions.

-This land has belonged to our family for generations. We sold a large part to Araphel and kept this place for us. I'm sure he would be happy to buy everything but he knew the answer would be no.-there was bitterness in his voice.

-Araphel is a good neighbor. They all are. Einar and Seth help us after every bad weather. Always check that the house and the road is safe.-Louis mentioned. She was a cheerful person. So different from her brother.

-I'm still going into my last year of university. And Damien works in the local riding club. He is crazy about horses.-his sister was saying. Shana just smiled, not saying anything about herself. There was nothing else to say. She had spent the last three years in the desert surviving. She didn’t think they would want to know about that. There was a sound of a car approaching and Damien got up from his chair.

-Your ride is here.-he said, looking at her.