Bonded to the Fallen Shadow

4

“Just as much as I always have,” I countered and offered her my arm.

She accepted, allowing me the honor of walking her into the hall. I kept my steps measured so she wouldn't have to strain herself to keep up.

On the other side of the black and gold stone hall, Silus and Thalen—my two closest friends—were deep in conversation, likely plotting something. Silus’s expression was somber as always, and Thalen spoke with a sneaky grin and graceful gestures. They had been my friends for as long as I could remember. Sometimes I envied them and their more relaxed demeanors, but being the prince came with particular costs.

Thalen sprang forward, arms outstretched. The red collar of his tunic made his skin seem pale as ivory and brought out the gold notes in his amber eyes. “Twenty-five, perhaps twenty-six fae brides, all ready to fight for your attention. I thought we might have to drag you from the shadows, but I see the lovely Elara has already done it for us.” He bowed theatrically at the waist, his wavy silver hair sliding over his face. He kissed Elara’s hand, then spun her in a graceful circle that made her charcoal skirt flare around her ankles. “I see that you’ll be enchanting all the rest of us with your beauty, Elara.” He said it easily, though I knew he harbored no attraction to her. She was like a sister to him, and, outside of my friends, she received little attention at all because she was seen as weak. That didn’t stop Thalen from playing his part. He c****d his head, eyes widening. “But…wait…is that an eyelash on your cheek? Silus, help her. This requires a delicate touch.”

Silus’s expression sharpened. His focus shifted to Elara. Though he tended to favor more neutral colors, layering charcoal and black, today he was wearing a deep-blue cravat that brought out the red undertone of his dark skin. He inclined his head, his pupils fixed on Elara as Thalen cut in front of me. “We do have something exceptionally important to discuss,” he said. “It’s the most important qualification of all for this future bride of yours.”

“Take it up with Fate. I have no say in the matter.” I pressed Thalen back and looked to Silus, who had just cupped one finger beneath Elara’s chin and tipped it up as he studiously examined her face. A soft rosiness spread over her cheeks.

“You could always let me choose for you,” Thalen continued with a grin as he guided me along. “I vow that the Thalen stamp of approval would ensure you endless...well, if not happiness, entertainment. The fights alone could be magnificent! Just trust me.”

“The last time I trusted you, seventeen shadow beasts tried to eat my face.”

“You’re the one who tried to conjure blood for the trap from skunk cabbage and obsidian.”

“It was—” I stopped. No. I wasn’t going to let him bait me into this argument again. Except…I paused for a breath. Shadow beasts had always caused me problems. “Let’s get this over with.” I turned back to Silus and Elara. He was still studying her face intently. “Are you two going to join us, or does this eyelash require a full procedure?”

Elara’s face reddened as Thalen smirked.

Silus straightened, his expression a mask. “It was stuck.” His attention cut to her as he held out his arm. “Permit me to escort you, Your Highness.”

With a tentative smile, she looped her arm through his.

“Just hear me out,” Thalen continued. “All I’m saying is that whoever you marry should at least be entertaining. Is that too much to ask? Someone I can conspire with about ways to make your life more interesting. Someone who will come up with ideas of her own.”

His pestering was likely to continue, so I stopped listening and simply walked. Once we left the royal family's private quarters, we proceeded toward the Ascension Hall, shadows of the guards stationed along the corridor watching us silently. Their dark armor allowed them to practically disappear into those walls when they remained motionless. The heavy onyx doors of the Hall loomed ahead, the gold inlay etched with symbols of our lineage.

As we approached, the hum of voices could be heard through the thick doors. No doubt the bridal candidates were speculating on the details of the upcoming challenges. Most would die, not from necessity, but because the ruthlessness of the games always extended to the guest halls. Not that I'd seen them myself, but everyone had heard rumors of what these involved. Though some of the kingdoms invited other royals to observe, I'd never attended.

The two guards flanking the Ascension Hall doors opened them soundlessly, and cool air spilled over us. This entry point gave us access to the upper level of the chamber. Long elegant staircases cut down on either side into the main hall, but from up here we could watch the people below us, remote and untouched.

The Ascension Hall was vast and stark, its black stone walls slick as glass and run through with gold veins like lightning frozen in mid-strike. Tall columns rose on all sides, framing multiple sets of double doors on the lower level. The mosaic floor held the Shadow Kingdom's sigil, a somber reminder of why we were doing this and the importance of protecting our power and our kingdom. The lamps burned low with amber-red flames, casting flickering light that moved like specters along the walls.

Countless ceremonies and executions had been held and announcements made in this room over the years. This wasn't a hall intended to welcome or celebrate. It was designed to initiate and begin the tests, heartless and cold as the stone from which it was carved.

Twenty-five fae women stood below. They didn’t notice us as they spoke to one another. Like true fae, they were sizing one another up.

The sharp scent of blood caught my attention, a fae in gold with turquoise eyes now wielding a dagger with magma touch as she bared her teeth at an Aquen Fae in a purple gown.

Elara cut her eyes at me. "Aren't you going to do something?" she asked softly. "There’s no reason—"

"Why would I intervene?" I watched as the purple-haired Aquen lashed at her attacker with water whips. The turquoise-eyed fae hissed as she struck back. Admirable ferocity, but poor follow-through in her striking hand. Her left side was completely open, and the water fae wasn't taking advantage of it. Neither would advance far. I doubted either would see the end of the week.

Elara's expression pinched. "To ensure that it is a fair competition without needless bloodshed."

"All that matters is that the final bride is the strongest."

My gaze drifted over the women below. I felt nothing but annoyance as I studied them in their fine silk gowns and elegantly styled hair. They were all so…typical.

A few were watching the quarrel between the two incompetents. Both women had drawn blood, but neither had sealed the deal. This confrontation could have been finished in less than fifteen seconds. But no. They lacked the wherewithal. Others spoke quietly to one another. Most remained silent.

A pale Sylvan Fae with lavender and white hair backed away from the fight, her lavender wings folded tight to her back. She bumped into a taller Sylvan Fae with white-blonde hair. Disgust twisted the tall fae’s face, her light-silver eyes flashing. With a flex of her fingers, she summoned an air blade and stabbed the other fae in the back. The slender fae gasped and fell forward, blood gushing from the wound. There must have been poison on the blade, or an enchantment to speed the death, because that fae was dead as soon as she hit the floor. Murmurs of surprise spread through the crowd. All backed away from her.

Elara barely restrained a gasp, that sharp intake of breath loud enough for only my friends and me to hear. I avoided looking at her, knowing I’d see distress and concern in her eyes. She was soft. I didn’t hate that about her, though I suspected she thought I did. But Father was right that I couldn’t coddle her or indulge such softness in public.

The white-blonde fae lifted her chin and stared fixedly at me. The blade evaporated from her hand. Her stance was confident but poised, her manner bordering on brazen.

I knew her type.

If she was good enough, she'd make it to the end. In the meantime, there was no purpose in wasting time or attention on her.

Two of the guards came forward, lifted the body of the lavender-haired woman, and carried her away. Another magicked away the blood. Even the last traces of her scent disappeared, vanishing into the sharp, cold air of the chamber.

Scuffling sounded from outside the entrance.

An odd sensation tugged within my core. An awareness that lit every nerve on fire. My wings twitched against my back.

Feck. What—who was that?