The Sorrow of Shadows (Crimson & Shadows #1)

Chapter 2

CHAPTER TWO

brEYLA

I didn’t return home when my father died. I planned to, but I wasn’t sure how to face that place with my father no longer roaming the halls. He had been found in the bed he shared with my mother a few weeks ago. Though it was uncommon to die as young as he had—barely into his fifth decade of life—we weren’t immortal beings, and there had been no signs of foul play. It was simply a tragedy.

My quick thinking and strategic mind led me to be appointed as the royal army's general. I got that all from him. As a child, I had been teased endlessly because I favored swords and breeches over needlepoint and frilly dresses. I wanted to learn to fight battles, not flirt with noblemen. It was in those moments, in the training yard, that I formed my connection with him and earned the soldiers’ respect.

Reflecting on the most recent council meeting, I find myself both surprised and slightly disgusted. My parents loved each other deeply, so how my mother could announce an engagement not even two weeks after my father was found dead is something I can’t even begin to understand. And of all people, why did it have to be him?

Aurelius.

My father’s younger adopted brother. Emphasis on adopted, because there is no possible way I could be related to that male. Aurelius was found as an orphan when he was an infant. The only reason he ended up under my grandparents’ care was because he showed immense power as he grew into adolescence. Our people value power over just about anything else.

All people had basic magic—the ability to create Faerie lights, levitate objects, lock doors, and create sound shields. Usually, the ability to use magic manifested sometime around puberty. Those blessed with additional Gifts typically developed them earlier, but not always. Some developed more than one power, but most kept additional Gifts secret. There were five main branches of magical Gifts: Hemonia, those relating to the physical body or energy; Kaminari, those relating to the weather or elements; Anima, those relating to the soul or mind; Vizie, relating to sight or vision; and Madilim, the ability to manipulate shadows or light.

Kaminari Gifts were the most prevalent, while Madilim and Hemonia Gifts were scarce. The rarer and more useful the Gift, the more sought after the wielder was. The Gift of the parents didn’t determine what ability the child would receive, but two powerful parents tended to produce more powerful children. While I was known for my Madilim Gift—in my case, the ability to manipulate shadows—Aurelius was known for his Hemonia Gift. He was the only known blood wielder in our kingdom, but I didn’t know the extent of his Gift.

My grandparents were the most powerful family in the town of Pelanor, so naturally, they had the most resources and agreed to take him in. He came to live with us at the palace after their parents determined he needed more training to learn how to control his powers. By that point, he was twenty and completely insufferable. To learn that my mother was now engaged to him, bile crept up my throat.

My second reason for being here was arguably more intriguing. A ghost appearing in the form of my father? That was something I had to see in person rather than through Elijah’s eyes. I wasn’t sure I believed in ghosts, but it sounded like the kind of fuckery I didn’t want to miss out on. When he hadn’t tried to communicate with anyone, I wondered if he was looking for someone who wasn’t in the castle. The fact that he was usually found outside my chambers suggested that person may be me.

Which is why I’m standing outside the castle gates. Sure, I have questions for my mother, but I’m really here to see the ghost wandering the halls. It was a three-day ride from where I was posted in the village of Caedal, on the border of Rimor. I rode through the night, accompanied by only two of my most trusted guards, Ryder and Zion.

“State your business,” a gruff voice says from behind the gate. I let out a soft chuckle and smile brightly at the older guard, who hasn’t bothered to look up at us yet.

“I know you’re getting up there in years, old male, but I didn’t think you’d forget my face that quickly,” I say to Nolan. That catches his attention, and his eyes snap to mine.

“Kid, is that you?” Nolan asks. “Well, I’ll be damned. I wasn’t expecting you for several more days. Come right on through.”

Once we pass through the castle gate, I dismount my horse and turn toward Nolan. Before I have both feet fully on the ground, I feel Nolan’s arms wrap around me, surrounding me in a warm, familiar hug. Nolan had been responsible for much of my training as a child and young female. I may have teased him about being an old male, but he could still easily best most of my soldiers without breaking a sweat. A few years ago, when he found out his wife River was expecting, he requested I remove him from active duty. I obliged with the condition he oversees the training of all new recruits, even if he wasn’t the one directly training them. He was too much of an asset to let go completely.

“It’s been too long, kid. I’m surprised I didn’t see you back home sooner, all things considered...” Nolan’s voice trails off like he’s trying to be gentle with me.

I grimace. “I should have come home sooner. I just don’t know how to be here without him. Then I received word from Elijah that there had been some developments I needed to see to believe.”

“Ah, yes...that development arrived just yesterday.” He clears his throat. He thinks I mean Aurelius, not the alleged ghost of my father. “Fair warning, I heard they’ve put him in the chambers next to yours.”

I resist the urge to roll my eyes, but Nolan already knows how I feel about Aurelius. “How delightful,” I say with as little sarcasm as I can muster.

Ryder and Zion stifle laughter behind me, and I narrow my eyes at them. “Well, you better get going. I’m sure you’re tired after the journey. You’ll need your rest to deal with the new developments. ” Nolan smirks at me.

This time, I roll my eyes at him, and he lets loose a deep belly laugh at my expense. I turn back to Luna and slide my left foot into the stirrup. Before I can lift myself onto her, I feel a firm but gentle hand on my bicep. Nolan has a serious look on his face when he says softly, “If you ever want to, er...talk...or you need anything at all, you know I’m here for you. River, too.” He’s about as good with emotions as I am. That is not good at all, but I know he means it. Tears try to well up in the corner of my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall. I blink them away, locking the feelings away for another day.

“Thank you,” I whisper as I finish mounting Luna. Zion, Ryder, and I make our way to the stables and the chaos that no doubt awaits us.

Freshly showered, I step out of my bathing chambers and into my room. I let out a startled yelp when I see my best friend, Elijah, casually reclined in the center of my bed. “Gods dammit, Eli, give a girl some warning before you just show up in her bed,” I say, exasperated.

“Now, why would I do that when I just love to hear you scream, Princess?” He grins widely at me.

I narrow my eyes at his innuendo, which makes his grin widen. “Anyway...Why are you in my room? Is there something so important it couldn’t wait for me to be clothed?” I glance down at my body, as if noticing for the first time that I’m only covered by a towel that barely covers my ass.

“While we have important matters to discuss, I just wanted to see you. I didn’t realize you’d be naked when I sent your maids away and snuck into your room. That’s just a bonus.” His eyes twinkle. There’s nothing remotely romantic between us, but that’s never stopped his shameless flirting. He’s my oldest friend and closest confidant, so I tolerate the behavior with minimal opposition.

“I missed you too, Eli. Now turn around so I can dress myself.”

He begrudgingly averts his gaze and allows me the privacy to dress. Despite being back at the castle, I still opt for my fighting leathers over a dress. They allow me to move freely and bring a sense of security that no dress could give. The material forms to the thick curves on my five-foot-seven frame, hugging right where they need to. I have never been petite, but my muscles are toned from years of training and battle, and these pants definitely show off that arduous work. I quickly try to tame my gold-streaked auburn waves into something resembling a braid.

I sneak over to my bed, where Elijah is still lying with his gaze averted. I jump onto the bed and wrap my arms around him, inhaling his spiced cocoa scent, which feels like home.

“Hey now, I never agreed to be the little spoon in this relationship,” he says as he turns to look at me again. His chocolate-brown eyes roam over me, and I can tell he’s trying to read my face for any signs of what I might be feeling. The mood suddenly shifts from playful to something more serious.

“I’m okay,” I whisper, giving him a soft smile.

“No, you’re not,” he replies, calling my bluff. I’m not surprised by this; Elijah knows me better than anyone, probably even my mother. “But I wouldn’t expect you to be. Whatever emotions you have are valid. Feel however it is you’re meant to, let it out. I just hope you never feel alone because I am always by your side.”

“Are you sure you’re not an empath?” I joke, trying to lighten the mood.

Elijah snorts and gently grabs my chin with his thumb and forefinger. “Nope, I just know you like the back of my hand,” he says confidently. “You’ll refuse to talk about it or actually feel any emotions until it all builds up and boils over, and you melt down in epic proportions.” He releases my chin to tap me on the nose.

Did this male just boop me like I’m a cute kitten?

I bring my hand to my chest in fake outrage before gasping. “That doesn’t sound at all like me! You must be thinking of your other best friend.”

He rolls his eyes this time but knows I’m done with this conversation for now. He clears his throat, working up to whatever he will say next. “Your mother’s betrothal to Lord Aurelius. ”

My face falls because this is the last thing I want to discuss. “Do we have to talk about stepdaddy dearest?” I groan.

“I dare you to call him that to his face,” Elijah chuckles. “But unfortunately, yes. We do need to talk about it.”

“I just don’t understand how she could so quickly turn around and announce a betrothal to him. Of all people, his own brother? I know my parents loved each other; that was obvious. Not even two weeks after my father dies, she’s engaged? It seems disrespectful...” I trail off as my voice quivers. I’m clenching my hands so tightly I can feel my nails digging into the flesh of my palms.

A moment passes before Elijah speaks again. “Do you need friend Elijah right now, or do you need your advisor, Brey?”

I sigh, knowing as comforting as friend Elijah might be, protecting my feelings will get me nowhere. “Advisor Elijah, please,” I mumble.

“Your mother loved your father; this doesn’t change any of that. You know the law says she must remarry to stay on the throne. I think she only moved as fast as she did so she could maintain control over who she had to marry without the council shoving their noses into the matter. I can’t begin to guess why she asked Lord Aurelius or what his motivations are—you’ll have to ask them that. I don’t think she intended to hurt you or diminish your father’s memory. It was simply something that had to be done, and she took control of the situation. I figured you, of all people, General, would understand that.”

I don’t miss his use of my title to appeal to the part of me defined by logic. I sigh, defeated. “I see your point.”

Elijah isn’t done, though. “If I were you, I’d be more concerned with why Lord Seamus has such an interest in who your mother marries. That’s what I can’t seem to work out.” His hands run through his long, golden locks. His hair typically remained tied up in a knot, but it was free and messy right now. I could tell he was frustrated at not having all the answers for me and was holding something back.

I lay a hand on his cheek and press my forehead to his. “You may be my eyes and ears, but I don’t expect you to have all the answers. That bit about Lord Seamus is odd, but he’s always been a nosey bastard. He often reaches too far, so we shall see how that plays out. What about this supposed ghost, though? I must admit I’m skeptical, so enlighten me. Seeing ghosts isn’t normal—are we sure that’s what it is?”

“You saw it that first time through my eyes, but he’s appeared several more times since then. If I hadn’t seen it for myself, I wouldn’t believe me either. But I assure you, Brey, it is real. He still hasn’t said anything. I don’t believe he will take long to appear for you. He’s almost always outside your chambers. I think he’s been waiting for you.” I can tell by his confident tone that he believes it. Whether or not it is the ghost of my father—or something more sinister—remains to be seen.

A few hours later, after Elijah and I had finished catching up and fallen asleep in the process, I step out of my chambers in search of food. It’s well past supper, so I venture down to the kitchens to see what I can find. The room is pitch black when I enter, the staff having retired for the evening. I quickly cast several Faerie lights and send them to the corners of the dark space. I let out a soft gasp as I realize Lord Seamus’s son, Lord Layne, leans against the counter, a bowl in his hand, with what looks to be a scoop of beef stew lifted halfway to his mouth.

“I’m sorry, I assumed I was alone in here, there being no lights on. Are you eating cold soup in the dark?”

Layne drops the spoon back into his bowl and looks at me momentarily before answering. “I was in a meeting with my father that ran late, so I missed supper. I would have just waited if I weren’t leaving in the morning, but I was starving. And it’s not that cold, more like lukewarm.”

“I suppose it all goes to the same place anyway, doesn’t it?” I say as I reach past him to grab a clean bowl. My arm grazes his shoulder, and I feel him tense beside me. I look over to see his eyes wide and mouth open slightly. He doesn’t say anything further, dropping his bowl to the counter and turning away from me before hurrying out of the kitchens, his bowl of soup forgotten.

That was strange. I fill my own bowl with room temperature beef stew and head back to my room.