The Sorrow of Shadows (Crimson & Shadows #1)

Chapter 24

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

brEYLA

M uch to my chagrin, getting ready for the engagement ball took all day. But the end result was worth it.

I ended up taking my mother’s suggestion to wear the color of House Rozaria. Frankly, I probably would have ended up in this color anyway. It was the color Aurelius described as being his favorite.

A floor-length wine-red gown hugs my curved frame. It was made primarily of a rich velvet that feels like heaven on my skin. A tight bodice accentuates my breasts, remaining respectable, but just barely. The sleeves are a sheer material of the same color that flow loosely down my arms, leaving my shoulders exposed. Tiny crystals accent the neckline and sporadically cover the sleeves. The skirt is loose with a slit up the side, exposing most of my right leg. The real showstopper on this dress, though, is the back. It dips so low that my back was almost entirely exposed. Thin gold chains crisscross from one side to the other across my bare skin .

I had Ophelia style my hair down, but to the side, so it won’t interfere with the view. My hair is twisted into a braid around my head, starting at my left temple and wrapping to the right side where it turns into loose curls. A few errant tendrils frame my face, and the golden and ruby diadem sits on top.

Normally, I don’t wear makeup, but Ophelia assured me that she knew what she was doing, and I trusted her. She dusted my eyelids with a smokey black color that gradually lightened as it moved from the outside to the inner corners of my eyes. My bottom lids are lined in dark kohl that makes the green of my irises pop. Gold dust covers my cheekbones and the top of my breasts. A deep red that matches my dress paints my lips.

Thin gold bands circle my wrists to finish the look. I smile at the realization that I truly feel beautiful. I normally despised dressing like this, but tonight it feels natural.

According to Elijah’s latest update, guests had already started arriving, and the royal family was to be announced soon. I expected Elijah to arrive any moment to escort me to the ball.

A knock sounds on my door and I excitedly open it. When I do, I’m greeted not by blonde hair, but by a brown so deep it’s nearly black.

“Prince Ayden?” I look at him in confusion. I’m once again hit with a sensation of familiarity as I take an appraising look at him. He’s dressed in black from head to toe and flashes me a wide smile.

“Expecting someone else?”

“Elijah, actually. He always accompanies me to these things.”

“Yes, well. He mentioned earlier that Lady Ophelia was in need of an escort, and he seemed particularly enthusiastic to be that for her. So, I told him it would be my honor to escort you in his place.”

I smile, happy for his newfound interest in Ophelia and that she has someone showing her the attention she deserves for once.

“I guess you’ll do, then,” I tease.

“You wound me.” He fakes offense, clutching at his heart.

I wrap my arm through his and pat his chest. “I think your ego can take the hit, Your Highness.”

We begin our journey out of the royal wing and toward the ballroom. The only people we pass along the way are servants, as all the guests are already present and waiting for us.

“I would be doing you a great injustice if I didn’t mention how absolutely ravishing you look tonight. The colors of House Rozaria suit you well. Though, I think you’d look just as amazing in House Mordet colors.”

I smile at his compliment, but it becomes a smirk as I quip back, “It’s not hard to look good in black, dear Prince.”

He lets out a deep laugh. “Touche, Princess. But I bet you’d look even better out of it.”

I roll my eyes and ignore his forwardness. He’s either trying to rile me or start shit elsewhere, and I refuse to take his bait.

After a few more minutes we finally reach the hallway outside the ballroom. Ophelia and Elijah have just been announced, leaving Ayden and me. Aurelius and my mother will follow, but they have yet to arrive.

I straighten my dress and curls, assuring everything is in its place. Ayden reaches up and adjusts the diadem on top of my head.

“You ready for this?” he asks, and I nod.

He nods back. “Let’s go.”

The servants open the double doors leading into the ballroom and we step through, halting just inside. “Announcing, Her Highness Princess Breyla Rozaria of Rimor, escorted by His Highness Prince Ayden Mordet II of Prudia.”

The ballroom is opulent, draped in gold and red the same shade as my dress. People from all over our kingdom and those around us fill the space. They’re dressed in finery, but they’re all staring at us. Uncomfortable with this much attention, I usher Ayden away from the doorway and along the side of the room. I may not be dressed in black, but I will hide in the shadows until my mother arrives and forces me to do otherwise.

It’s only a few minutes before the doors swing open again and the night’s main attraction arrives.

“Announcing, Her Royal Majesty Queen Genevieve Rozaria of Rimor, escorted by her fiancé, Lord Aurelius Rozaria of Rimor.”

My mother and Aurelius enter the room, and everyone falls silent. They’re truly a sight to see. My mother is dressed in a pale gold dress that flatters her frame but exposes nothing. The gold wrapping around her makes her look like the Sun goddess, Aura. Her strawberry blond hair hangs in loose curls down her back, and light makeup covers her face. A simple golden crown sits atop her head.

Next to her, Aurelius is her dark counterpart. Dressed in all black, he looks like sin incarnate. Gold rings adorn his fingers, and I find I was right—the gold really does compliment him. It shouldn’t be possible to look that good.

My eyes lock with my mother, and I recognize that I’m being summoned. Ayden and I cross the room until we stand before them.

“I can see I was right about my suggestion to wear red.” She smiles brightly at me.

I return it and say, “And I can see I was right in suggesting you wear gold. You look lovely, Mother.”

She pulls me in for a hug, and for the first time in weeks, I finally relax into her embrace.

“Thank you,” she whispers before releasing me.

We head toward the front of the room, where two gold thrones await us. My mother steps up on the dais in front of one and clears her throat. The three of us gather around her as she begins to speak.

“Thank you all for gathering tonight to celebrate my engagement to Lord Aurelius. Aurelius and I have been friends for as long as I can remember, and I couldn’t think of a better male to help rule this kingdom. While I know no one can replace my Raynor, I have full faith that Aurelius will give his all to protect and lead this wonderful kingdom. To all our guests, no matter how far you traveled to be here with us, thank you. You have made this evening one to remember. So, let’s dance, eat, and enjoy this night.” She smiles warmly as everyone applauds her speech. There was no way anyone could claim my mother didn’t love and cherish this kingdom and all its inhabitants.

I had plans to question some of the guests in attendance to see if I could learn anything more about the attempts made on my and Aurelius's lives, or about the murders of Nolan and Julian. Having this many people gathered in one place was too much of an opportunity to pass up. I doubted the culprit was here, but perhaps I could find someone who had seen Julian before his death. His body was missing, and I was determined to bring it home.

“Shall we dance, Princess?” Ayden asks, breaking me out of my thoughts.

Despite hating nearly everything feminine, dancing was the one activity I loved and excelled at outside of swordplay and battle strategy. I had learned the art at a young age, and it was my first love. It was actually what made learning swordplay easier for me. I was already fluid and graceful from mastering many formal dances. Twirling and swaying across the floor is where I felt most free.

“I would love to.” I beam at him, letting him lead me to the dance floor.

We fall into line with the other couples dancing as Ayden places a hand on the small of my back, pulling me close. My arm rests lightly on his shoulder as his other hand takes mine, resting out to our side.

The music begins and we fall into the steps, letting the melody guide us through the twists, dips, and turns of the song. Ayden leads with expert skill, and I follow easily, just happy to have a capable dance partner. They were hard to come by. I close my eyes and let the music take me, enjoying the feeling of the world falling away around me.

“I never suspected you would be such an adept dance partner, love. You are really in your element here. I thought you were all sharp edges and equally sharp words. Who knew you had such a soft side to you as well.”

I smile and finally open my eyes to find him staring at me as if he’s trying to put together the pieces of a puzzle. “I’m full of surprises, Prince Ayden. You just have to look past all the bullshit you think you see.”

“The gods have given you one face, yet it would seem you paint yourself another.”

“I think you’re actually referring to yourself there.”

“More than you even know, love.”

“That’s the second genuine thing you’ve said to me.”

“Come again? I assure you I’ve been quite honest with you since the start.”

“I’m not saying you’re dishonest, but honesty and being genuine are two different things. The first time you were genuine with me was when you expressed what you wanted in a wife, the second was just now.”

He smiles and quirks his head as if he knows something I don’t. “Three times. I was being genuine when I said you’d look better in the colors of House Mordet.”

The first song ends and runs right into the next. This one is a dance where partners are switched throughout until you finally end back with your original.

The music picks up and Ayden spins me to my next partner. I’m surprised, but not upset, to find Ophelia’s brother, Lord Layne, waiting for me. He’s stiff at first, like he’s not quite comfortable, or unsure what to do with me. He obviously knows the dance as he leads us through the steps seamlessly.

“Lord Layne, it is nice to see you back at court,” I say, trying my best to make small talk.

“It is nice to be home, Princess.” The way he says my title is formal, so unlike the way Ayden or Aurelius says it. I know Ophelia loves him, but he’s so hard to get a read on. I can’t tell if he despises me, fears me, or if it’s something else entirely.

“Was your time away productive?” I try to act casually, but I’m not sure it works.

“It always is.” His answer is short, but polite. “How is my sister? I hear you accepted her as your lady.”

“Ophelia is more than my lady; she is my friend. She seems good for the most part. She’s come out of her shell recently. I think Lord Elijah has a serious interest in her.”

He snorts. “Elijah? Seriously? You’ve got to be making a joke. I’ve never seen that male serious about anyone.”

“While I would normally agree with you, he did ditch me to escort her tonight. He is always my partner for these events. It’s unlike him, especially when he could still sleep with whomever he wants even while escorting me.”

“Intriguing. Perhaps there is hope for him yet.”

“Did you just make a joke, Lord Layne? Perhaps there is hope for you .”

His lips quirk at the corner in the slightest of smiles before he spins me away to my next partner. I’m flung into the arms of the emissary from Lennox.

Lennox borders Rimor to the east and is a relatively peaceful kingdom. I’m not surprised the King and Queen sent their emissary in their stead; they rarely venture outside their borders or engage with other kingdoms .

I make polite small talk and wait to be passed to my next dance partner.

I’m passed several more times before the familiar scent of bergamot greets me. Inhaling deeply, I look up into Aurelius's brown and crimson irises.

He smiles down at me as we twist and turn around the dance floor. “I’ll pretend I didn’t just catch you sniffing me,” he teases.

I shrug unashamedly. “Your scent smells like home.”

His eyes sparkle mischievously as he twists me away from him before pulling me back. “And yours drives me feral with a need to cover you in my own.”

I blush at such brazen words spoken openly. I then notice he isn’t dressed entirely in black like I had initially thought. Deep red, the same shade as our house colors and my dress, peek out from the lining of his jacket. Unnoticeable to most, but the subtle accent color makes me smile.

He leans closer and whispers, “I don’t know how you expect me to keep my eyes off you. You look like every deep desire I’ve ever had. I don’t know where you got that dress, but I cannot wait to see what it looks like on the floor.”

His words spark warmth low in my belly and make me want to leave this whole godsdamned room of people behind. Before I can act on my desire, I hear Ayden behind me.

“I believe you are monopolizing my partner, Lord Aurelius.” His voice has lost its normal flirtatious edge and seems serious for once.

I look around to see he is right, and everyone else has ended back with their original partners.

Reluctantly, Aurelius releases me to Ayden. He looks like he wants to say something but remains silent. I sense tension between them, but that’s not all that unusual. Aurelius hasn’t trusted Ayden from the beginning.

Ayden pulls me in tight and spreads his hand across the small of my back. This close I can easily feel the ridges of the muscles, including how tightly wound they are.

“That was tense,” I comment.

“I don’t appreciate my dance partners being monopolized.” He shrugs like that’s all there is to it.

I give him a questioning look, but he says nothing. I sigh, and we finish the dance in silence.

“Thank you for the dances, Prince. It’s been a pleasure,” I say with a curtsey.

“Thank you, Princess. The pleasure is all mine.” He grins flirtatiously and takes my hand, leaving a kiss on the top of it.

I take up a position away from the dance floor and observe the guests. For the first time tonight, I notice Elijah and Ophelia. They’re on the dance floor spinning and laughing merrily. There are dark circles under Elijah’s eyes, but they sparkle as he listens to whatever Ophelia is saying. She’s dressed in a satin dress the color of ripe plums, the blue sheen of her hair sparkling beautifully in curls. I can’t tell what they’re talking about, but whatever it is—they seem happy.

Across the room I catch the sight of Aurelius and my mother dancing. I know this can’t be easy on her, but she’s handling it all with a grace I envy. He’s not holding her in the way he held me in our dance, but there’s familiarity between them. Aurelius says something to her that makes her smile and throw her head back in laughter. My mother has been so distant in my time here, I can’t even remember the last time I heard her laugh like that. Whatever the nature of their relationship, I’m grateful he has given her that.

“They make a lovely couple, do they not?” I hear the cold voice of Lord Seamus next to me.

Without turning to him, I respond as evenly as possible. “They’re beautiful. Not as beautiful as my parents, of course.”

“No, of course not. I didn’t mean any offense, Princess.” His tone suggests otherwise .

“Yes, you did,” I say bluntly. “What do you want, Lord Seamus?” I’m still not bothering to look at him as I speak—a fact I’m sure gets under his skin.

He nearly chokes on the wine he was sipping, clearly not expecting me to call him out so blatantly.

“I had heard reports of attacks on palace residents while I was away. I was curious if you had found the responsible party.”

“There were several deaths and attempted murders during your absence. I am tracking several leads, but they don’t seem connected.” A lie on my part. I was sure they were connected, but I just couldn’t figure out how.

“One would think finding the person behind the attempted murders of two of the kingdom’s future rulers would take priority.”

Interesting . “I find your statement intriguing. My attack was never made public knowledge.”

“You may not know your enemies, Breyla, but I like to keep close tabs on mine. Lord Craylor mentioned your attack in our most recent meeting.”

I scoff. Of course that ass had known about my attack. “And did he mention who he thinks was responsible?”

“He didn’t.” He responds too quickly, letting me know there’s more he’s not saying. “But tell me, do you trust the male sleeping next door to you?” Gods, he was obvious.

“If you’re referring to Lord Aurelius, the answer is unequivocally yes.” I wasn’t sure where this was going, but Lord Seamus couldn’t think I doubted Aurelius in the slightest. While I knew he still kept secrets, somehow the male had worked himself under my skin and earned my trust.

“And if I was referring to the other male?”

I quirk a brow at him and take another sip of my wine. “Prince Ayden? I trust him more than I trust you. Is there anything else you’d like to pry about? ”

He looks unamused. “I was wondering if you found my daughter’s service as your lady to be satisfactory.”

Lies.

“Ophelia is a gem. It’s a damn shame you’ve kept her from my service for so long. We’ve become quite close.”

“Yes, well Ophelia has shown little potential, but I figured she couldn’t possibly fail at that task.”

I’m growing tired of this prick. “Lord Seamus, I’m afraid you greatly underestimate your daughter. I’ve found her to be quite capable, but I’m not the only one. Lord Elijah seems quite taken with her.” I smile into my wine goblet knowing the truth of my words. I know he attempted to plant Ophelia in my service to spy, but her true allegiance lies with me.

He scoffs in disgust. “He’ll lose interest soon enough, I’m sure. She is powerless and far beneath his station. If she weren’t my own blood, I would?—”

He’s silenced by my shadow constricting around his neck, taking the form of a noose.

Finally, I turn to look him in the eyes as I growl my next words. “I would be very careful what words you speak next, Lord Seamus. I don’t take kindly to my loved ones being hurt.”

I can see sparks dancing on the tips of his fingers. It seems he’s stupider than I thought. I loosen my shadows’ hold on him just enough so he can speak.

“Are you threatening me?” he gasps.

I chuckle and wrap the shadows around his wrists to hold his hands in place. “No, My Lord. That was a promise. Have I made myself clear?”

He nods in understanding, and I release my shadows’ hold on him. He rubs his throat where red lines are now starting to form. Like an idiot, he opens his mouth to speak, but I cut him off.

“You are dismissed.” I leave no room for argument, and he turns to storm away from me .

My wine goblet has gone dry and as I turn to refill it, I’m met with the beady eyes of Lord Craylor. I must have a magnet for assholes on me somewhere.

“Interesting conversation you seemed to be having with Lord Seamus, Princess.”

“You seem to be having your own interesting conversations with Lord Seamus lately.” I shoot him an accusing glare.

“I have many interesting conversations, Princess. It’s part of my job, so you’ll have to be more specific.”

I roll my eyes and reach for another goblet of wine on a nearby servant’s tray. “How exactly did you know I was attacked?”

He smiles knowingly. “There are not many things that happen in this castle that I don’t know about. You would be wise to remember that.”

I hear the double meaning and threat laced in his words.

“And there are not many things I wouldn’t do to keep my family and people safe. You would be wise to remember that .” How many threats was I going to have to make tonight?

“Of that, Princess, I am well aware. Anyone that doubts you would be a fool.” It almost sounded like a compliment.

“Did you find the information I was looking for?” I want to end this conversation.

“It took some digging, but it would appear that the new produce supplier is a farm on the outskirts of Ciyoria. A local family owned it until their untimely deaths about a year ago, at which point it was purchased by the crown. There is no record of who is farming the lands, just that the crown owns it.”

“Interesting. Who authorized the purchase?”

“That’s where it gets even more interesting. It would appear your father was the one who authorized the purchase. I’ve left the records in your chambers if you’d like to look at them closer.”

I nod my understanding, trying not to let anything show on my face. “Much appreciated, Lord Craylor. Now, I would like to enjoy the rest of my evening. So please find somewhere else to be.”

He slithers back to wherever he came from, and I feel like I can finally breathe easily again.

By the time I finish my current wine goblet, my body has started tingling and I decide it’s time to enjoy the rest of this unfortunate ball. As if reading my mind, Elijah appears next to me.

“Well, hello there, traitor,” I tease him.

He takes my hand and drags me to the dance floor as a new song begins. “I am no such thing, I resent that.”

“Where is Lady Ophelia? While I must say it was hurtful that you ditched me, at least it was for someone pretty.”

“She hasn’t seen her brother since he returned, so they are dancing together now. She wasn’t going to come, but Prince Ayden suggested I escort her—assuring me he would have no issue escorting you in my place—and you know I can’t resist a pretty face.”

“That snake!” I gasp.

“Why? What did he do?” Elijah looks confused.

“He showed up at my door claiming that you had suggested he escort me because you wanted to take Ophelia!” I whisper-shout at him.

Elijah throws his head back in laughter and nearly has us crashing into the dancing couple next to us. As he corrects us, he says, “It wasn’t entirely a lie, but it was definitely his idea. I have to respect the game he plays, though.”

“I can’t believe you’re defending him right now.” I smack him lightly on the shoulder.

“Hey now, I’m not defending him. Just saying the prince knows what he’s doing. As a fellow male, I respect his creativity.”

“Ugh,” I groan as he continues laughing at me .

We dance for a few more minutes in silence before I ask the question nagging at me.

“Elijah, what was my father like just before his death?” I keep my voice low, not wanting anyone to overhear.

“What do you mean, B?” He cocks a questioning brow at me.

“I mean...did he make any questionable decisions or behave out of character recently?”

His grip on me tightens, and his face falls. “I don’t know where you’re going with this, but it’s a hard question to answer. He had started making a few decisions without consulting his advisors. They weren’t significant decisions, as far as I know. He also had Aurelius traveling to Lennox, Prudia, and Farlain more and more frequently. He didn’t disclose why, but I never thought to question him on it.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I try to keep the hurt out of my voice.

“I didn’t think it was relevant. He’s gone, B. I didn’t want to keep picking at that wound.” His voice is gentle, and I know he’s sincere.

“I know, but I’m starting to think there was more going on than anyone realized.”

“What makes you say that?” he asks, curiosity filling his tone.

“I had Lord Craylor follow a lead in Aurelius's attempted poisoning, and the trail ends at my father.”

“Are you sure the information is reliable? I thought you didn’t trust him.”

“I don’t, not entirely. That’s why I had him leave the records in my chambers so I could follow the trail myself. But something doesn’t seem right. I can’t tell you what, but my gut tells me something else is going on.”

“I trust your judgment. We’ll figure this out.” He pulls me closer, and I lean my head on his chest as we finish the dance.