The Sorrow of Shadows (Crimson & Shadows #1)

Chapter 3

CHAPTER THREE

OPHELIA

I sit beside my window, my nose buried deep in a novel. I’m hiding. Father mentioned wanting to speak with me at breakfast, and I can’t think of something I’d like to do less than have another one of his chats.

“My Lady, Lord Seamus sent us to fetch you,” my maid says from the doorway. I sigh heavily and close my book. My disassociation shall have to wait.

“Yes, yes, I’m coming now. Best not to upset him further.” I say the last part under my breath. There are very few people in this castle I can trust. Everyone fears Lord Seamus because of the lightning he wields. If only they knew how right they were to fear him.

I follow my maids, Ani and Maeve, out of my quarters and down the hall. I knock twice, then hear a gruff voice. “Enter.” He’s sitting in a wingback chair near the fireplace. It’s the height of the summer season, and he insists on having a fire lit in the middle of the day. Add that to the list of things that make me question his sanity .

“Sit down, daughter,” he says, gesturing to the chair opposite his. I cross the room and sit where he instructed. I can tell he is still deep in thought as his gray eyes—the same gray as mine—flicker back and forth across the flames dancing in the fireplace. I’m grateful our eyes are the only thing we share. Where his hair is brown and shaved closely to his head, mine is so black it almost looks blue and hangs straight past my waist. Where he is muscular, I am petite. Where he is powerful, I...am not. I possess the basic magic that all our people have, but as a highborn, I am expected to display additional Gifts. My father never misses a chance to remind me of my diminished value since I have shown no signs of other magical abilities. To him, I am little more than a burden to eventually be married off to whatever nobleman will take me.

“Have you developed any other magical Gifts?” I’m not surprised by this question, considering this should have happened years ago.

“Not since you asked me two days ago.” I do my best to keep my voice and expression even. He’s not fooled, though. Lord Seamus is never fooled.

“Pity.” A one-word answer. Not usually a good sign. My body tenses as he shifts in his seat. “That’s not why I called you here, though.” A change of subject is my saving grace.

“What can I help you with?” I ask, wishing to be done with this conversation.

A grin starts to form on his face at the question. “Help me, indeed. I need you to get close to Princess Breyla. I have petitioned Queen Genevieve to make you one of her ladies-in-waiting. Maybe you’ll be good at something for a change...” The last part comes out under his breath.

I ignore the remark as he continues, “I don’t trust her intentions. She doesn't return home after the death of her father, yet rides through the night when her mother announces her engagement to Lord Aurelius. No, she’s up to something. I need to know what, and you’re the perfect person to find out.”

“So, what exactly should I be looking for?” I’m not sure where he’s going with this, but I know he’s not giving me a choice in the matter.

“Any behavior out of the ordinary, conversations that seem unexpected, who she talks to, where she goes. Anything that might let you know her true intentions for being here.” So, he doesn’t really know what he was looking for. Got it. Super helpful.

“As you wish, Father,” I say, hoping to end this conversation.

“You are dismissed.”

Thank the gods.

I breathe a sigh of relief as I turn to leave. I’m nearly safe when I feel him catch my wrist and squeeze hard. I do my best not to react to the pain, but I know I will have bruises that will need tending tomorrow. “Do not disappoint me in this, Ophelia. I can think of much worse fates for someone as weak as you.”

“Of course not. I will not disappoint you.” That’s all I manage before he releases me. I quickly make my way out of his chamber, rubbing my wrist as I go.

I’m nearly to my chambers when I notice the door ajar. I creep closer, keeping my feet light and listening to see if there is someone still in my chambers. That’s when I hear, “I can practically taste your trepidation from here. It’s just me, sister,” come from the other side of my door.

I release the breath I was holding and enter to find my brother, Layne, leaning against the wall. His lean, six-foot-one frame towers over my five-foot-two self, but that doesn’t stop me from wrapping my arms around his torso in a tight hug. “You’re leaving again, aren’t you?” I ask into his chest. He looks down at me, his chestnut curls hanging in his eyes. Luckily, he has our mother’s eyes—a deep blue like the night sky just as the sun has set .

“Don’t be sad, O. I’ll be back before you know it.”

I step back, frowning slightly. “Stop reading my emotions. You know I hate that,” I protest. Layne is an empath. It comes in handy in court, which is why Father has him traveling so often. His power is known in the kingdom of Rimor but not outside these walls. That makes him even more valuable, and dangerous.

“Sorry, O. It’s hard not to when you broadcast them so loudly.”

“You’re the only empath in court, so I don’t see how it matters,” I retort.

His expression turns serious. “I’m the only empath we know about in court. Another could easily be hiding. You need to learn to guard your thoughts and emotions.”

I sigh loudly and ask, “Is this the only reason you came to see me? To lecture me on my mental shields?”

“Of course not. I wanted to say goodbye, but I also come bearing a warning.”

I raise an eyebrow at him, waiting for him to continue.

“Stay away from Princess Breyla.” Crap.

“Well, that might be difficult, seeing as Father just asked me to spy on her. He wants me to befriend her and report back to him on anything out of the ordinary. Where is this warning coming from?”

“I’m sorry, he what?!” Layne’s eyes widen as he takes in this new information.

“He doesn’t trust her. He thinks she’s here with ulterior motives. He didn’t say what he thought those motives might be but wants me to report on everything she does.”

“I’m begging you, Ophelia. Stay away from Breyla. Knowing Father wants you to get closer to her makes me want you even farther away from her. I ran into her shortly after she arrived. I didn’t mean to, but I read her emotions...except there was nothing there. I couldn’t get any kind of emotion from her. That worries me more than anything. She’s dangerous. ”

“She’s the general of the royal armies. She’s supposed to be dangerous. You know I can’t ignore Father’s orders. I can’t disappoint him again. But I will be careful. Don’t worry about me, brother.” It’s the only reassurance I can give him, and he knows it. My hands are tied when it comes to this.

Layne sighs deeply before responding. “Very well. I had to at least try. I’m leaving tomorrow, but I will return as soon as I can.” He shuts the door to my chambers on his way out, leaving me alone to figure out how I’m going to get close to the princess. No pressure.