Chapter 33
Iwas at another tedious dinner with Terym, but my thoughts were on another king. A forgotten one, one who refused to leave my mind.
Since finding out his true identity, Shade had consumed my every waking moment. I still visited with Eleanor every day, but even then, my thoughts were on Shade, anticipating the moment I would release him from the lamp and be in his presence again.
We had spent every night learning just how many times he could bring me pleasure before I tapped out, but I didn’t think there would ever be a limit.
Even now, my body hummed in anticipation as I recalled how his hands felt on my skin.
How deeply he explored my mouth.
What he could do with his tongue.
I’d only been triggered the few times we tried to introduce more, like playing with my nipples or using his fingers, but it was getting easier. The more comfortable I grew with his touch, the easier it was to work through the complicated emotions filling me when I was triggered.
“Adelia, are you listening?” The king’s voice was short and disapproving, pulling me from my daydreams. He rarely spoke to me anymore, so it was surprising to hear him do it now.
“My apologies, my king. What was that?”
He scowled, his hand whitening against his fork. Meanwhile, General Lenek leered at me from across the table, amused by our exchange.
“We leave for Yinora tomorrow,” Terym forced through clenched teeth, focusing my attention, and I nodded slowly. “Be sure that man stays locked away in your pocket.” He gestured to the lamp, where it vibrated beside my plate.
“Yinora? I thought we were going to Ferveem Forest?”
“Don’t question me. You can leave.” He gestured to the door, dismissing me.
“Of course, my king,” I murmured, standing from my chair and offering a small curtsy. I was slow to walk from the room, my ears straining to hear his hushed conversation with the general.
“How long have they been unresponsive?” the king asked.
“A few weeks at least. None of the last letters worked at all,” Lenek said, then gulped a goblet of ale.
“And Mortremon?”
“Their numbers are increasing, the last missive puts them at two to one, even with the sentient army.”
Terym muttered something I couldn’t hear, and then the men were quiet.
Pierce waited beside the door to the banquet hall, and when I reached him, my heart was beating rapidly, the king’s conversation replaying in my mind.
They knew the army weren’t responding to my commands, and Siro’s forces were gathering at Yinora, likely readying for an attack to check I had done what was agreed and stopped the sentient army.
If we were heading there, Terym must need me to command them in person, and when they didn’t respond … who knew how the king would react.
Wista was waiting outside the suite when I returned, Pierce’s nightly replacement at her side.
Once the doors were secured behind us, I released Shade, and his eyes found me as they always did when he emerged from the curling smoke.
The beautiful smile curving his lips and lighting his eyes sent a rush of hot obsession through me.
I couldn’t wait to get my hands on him again. We would soon be traveling for days, if not weeks, and I was anxious to have him under my touch. I wouldn’t get much sleep, knowing I would spend every available moment in his presence.
“We’re going to Yinora tomorrow,” I said, moving into Shade’s waiting arms.
“Why the change?” Wista replied.
“I don’t know, but this doesn’t change our plans. Have you heard anything from Siro?”
She shook her head. “Nothing, I’ll send an urgent message.”
My gaze met Shade’s when she left. “He’s making me send you back for the journey.”
“Not unexpected.” He placed a gentle kiss on my lips. “Just be ready to release me.”
Then he pulled me into the bedchambers to thoroughly exhaust me before the long journey.
We weren’t going to escape.
It had been two weeks already. Weeks.
Terym’s men had managed to keep Eleanor far away from me, and many watchful eyes at my back during every midday sun.
It was setting now, casting pink and orange streaks into the sky.
Shade would have loved the sight, and my heart ached at how long it had been since we’d talked.
We’d set up to camp under the stars again, another night spent on hard bedrolls with minimal sleep.
“Is Harkin going to help?” I hissed to Eleanor at my side. She was the only one willing to be in my presence since I’d grown increasingly agitated the longer I went without seeing Shade, snapping at everyone, even Wista.
“Terym’s keeping all the lords with him, something about strategizing,” she muttered.
I guess it made sense. With the sentient army no longer responding, they would be coming up with alternatives in case I failed to direct them—which I would, if the instructions Fallon read to them held firm at least.
“I don’t think we’ll make it out on the road. Wista said it’s only a few more days.” I eyed a soldier who strolled a little too close to the small section of grass we’d claimed as our own, set slightly away from everyone else.
The only positive on this journey was I didn’t need to spend my nights with the king, who was still technically my husband. None of Terym’s men questioned our sleeping arrangement. Since our traveling party was so large I often bunked with Eleanor, Wista, and Meline.
“Then we’ll find a way when we get there, and we’ll be closer to the border, making it easier to escape,” Eleanor said, squeezing my hand.
How had our roles reversed so suddenly? I was an absolute mess the longer the days drew out, and Eleanor was the resounding strength and confidence.
Wista hadn’t heard from Siro before we left, so even if we could get away, there was no guarantee we’d find safety in Mortremon despite doing what its king had requested.
I grimaced her way before lying back on the bedroll, bringing the lamp close to my face, and whispered my mother’s lullaby, willing him to hear it.
The next few days of travel went much the same. Harkin was in discussions with the king, Eleanor was kept away from me for most of the day, and several soldiers monitored my movements with sharp eyes.
My panic increased with every hour spent without Shade’s presence.
When we finally reached the sprawling war camp just outside the large trading village of Yinora, I was fidgeting in my saddle.
My legs ached from weeks of riding, and after only being able to wash on the limited stays at the few inns along the way, I was dirty and uncomfortable in my own skin.
Yinora was spread out along a hilly scape overlooking a large plain.
A single road ran through the once-grassy area and across the border to a Mortremon village on the other side.
The rooftops of the first houses were barely visible on the horizon.
Far off in the distance, the snow-covered edges of the Demnocollis Range loomed.
It wouldn’t be long before the blanket of white would reach the two villages and the battlefield separating them.
Many battles had been fought on the land between the two trading towns, the ground so stained with death even the grass had given up.
Torglea’s war camp was set up on the outskirts of the plain, a sea of navy tents circled by large flags displaying the king’s eagle crest. A statement to those across the border.
The welcome to our arrival was the complete opposite to Prallues’s, people didn’t swarm the streets offering treats and trinkets.
Instead, gaunt faces watched on from open windows, the clopping of hooves on uneven stone streets the only sound.
The somberness was evidence of the war they had been witness to for years.
The wind was harsh and biting, so I tugged my coat a little tighter around me. It was late in the day, meaning Eleanor was at my side when we passed an orphanage. The children playing in the streets were dressed in raggy clothes, skin pulled tight in a clear sign of malnourishment.
Eleanor waved and sent a warm smile, her shoulders slumping when it was met with solemn expressions. Her eyes found mine, and the moisture in them reflected my own emotions.
These people had seen war. They had seen death. If the number of children we’d just passed was any indication, they had lost many loved ones. My stomach roiled at how many had experienced what we had—those children didn’t deserve this.
Even our procession was silent as we reached the worn tents, the soldiers there much like the villagers, grim faced and desolate.
Once we’d dismounted, Wista led us to our assigned tents, and all sympathy for the villager’s plight fled my mind, my sole focus zeroing in on one thing alone.
Shade.
I couldn’t wait to see him, to let him free again.
It was the longest he had been locked away since the first time I’d released him, and I couldn’t even begin to imagine how he was faring.
I practically fell through the tent’s entrance in my haste, lamp in hand and knife at the ready.
I pricked my finger and rubbed the pooling blood against warm metal.
Smoke unfurled from the spout, the lilac and sandalwood scent of purloe surrounded me, and I breathed in deeply. Gods, how I missed that, it had been too long.
Before Shade had fully formed in front of me, I launched myself at him. He caught me easily, strong arms wrapping around my body and pulling me close, and I wound my legs around him. I pressed my face into his neck, soaking in his scent. His warmth. Him.
A sob ripped from my throat, and the tightness in my chest dissipated, all the built-up anger and frustration melting away with his touch. He nuzzled into my neck, seeming to need me just as much.
“We’ll find some food,” Eleanor said, ushering Wista and Meline outside to give us some privacy. Thank the Gods for my beautiful and thoughtful sister.