Chapter 5
Chapter Five
~ Shade ~
Blake and her mates returned to Shadowbone Academy a short while ago, and we find them in one of the private dining rooms on the third floor.
Our group sits at a long black table that’s wreathed in shadows, and candlelight from the chandelier creates flickering patterns over the assortment of meats, vegetables, and freshly baked breads arranged in front of us.
My mates are positioned on either side of me, and my creature’s egg sits in its nest on the table by my glass of wine.
True to his word, Knox hadn’t let my creature’s egg out of his sight while I’d been away with Raith and Galen, and I smile, imagining Knox hovering over the egg like an overprotective father.
It’s not until Blake clears her throat that I realize I’ve been staring at my mate and warmth rushes to my cheeks.
The demon queen grins from the other side of the table, her mates seated on either side of her.
“I still can’t believe Shade is fated to these assholes,” Nate comments as he spears a chunk of meat with his fork and shoves it into his mouth.
He’s seated opposite Raith, and his slitted cat eyes observe my shadow mate with keen interest. The pair stare at each other, sizing one another up, and I grin.
Yep. They’re going to be best friends in no time.
Or you know, enemies. I guess we’ll see.
Dante leans back in his chair as he scans my mates, his gaze lingering on Galen who sits opposite him. “Oh, I don’t know,” the demon teases. “I knew there was a reason our girl wasn’t contacting us. Seeing these four, I can understand her distraction.”
Knox clenches his jaw. “Your girl?” His voice is icy as he tightens his grip on his glass of wine.
Blake lets out an exasperated sigh. “Relax, will you? These men are mine.” As she says it, she lifts from her chair and plops onto Mason’s lap, casually leaning back against the broad chest of her centaur shifter.
Mason automatically slides his hands over her body, and he begins pressing kisses to the side of her neck like he’d just been waiting for the opportunity.
“Always, my beloved,” he murmurs between kisses.
Swoon. Yep. That’s what I want. Pure devotion. I wiggle my brows at my mates as if to say, that’s how it’s done boys, but they ignore me and continue glaring at Blake’s men. Unbelievable.
“Think of it like this,” I say, trying to help break the tension. “They’re more like overprotective friends,” I explain, grinning at Blake and Mason. “Or you know, big brothers.”
“Exactly,” Alaric rasps, lifting his fork and stabbing a purple carrot on his plate so hard I’m surprised the ceramic doesn’t crack.
“Brothers who will destroy you if you so much as hurt a single hair on Shade’s head.
” The man says it like he’s dead serious, and I have to fight hard to smother my smile.
I’m aware that if I told Blake’s mates about everything I’d already been through here at the academy, there would possibly be a brawl, but then again, Blake’s mates weren’t exactly boy scouts when my friend met them.
I wonder if I should point out how Alaric had been an assassin ordered to kill Blake, and how tense things had been between them in the beginning, but I think better of it.
Raith gives Alaric an unhinged smile. “I’d like to see you try.”
“Oh, you mean you want us to kick your asses again?” Dante says with a wicked grin.
Rolling her eyes, Blake rubs her temples as if she’s getting a headache. “Can you guys be done comparing cocks already, so we can talk about what really matters?” She turns her gaze to me and lifts an accusatory finger. “Like the fact you should have called us ages ago.”
Ah. Yeah, about that. I give her a sheepish smile. “I told you, it was too risky for me to use my portal ring. Besides, I didn’t even think it would work within the academy barrier.”
“Okay, so what was your plan, exactly?” She reaches forward while Mason continues kissing her, and she pops a piece of gray fruit into her mouth before giving one to her mate.
Mason pauses his kisses to eat it, and juice runs onto his lips.
“Let me guess, you were trying to keep your fated mate connection a secret from the shadow queen for as long as possible?” Blake theorizes.
“And lo and behold, she found out anyway.” My friend turns her deadpan look on my mates, as if they’re the ones responsible.
Which makes sense because they kind of are.
I mean, they’re the ones who kidnapped me from the library in the first place.
Still, when Blake looks back my way I give her my best innocent expression. “Seemed like a good plan at the time,” I chirp.
Raith scratches his neck and curls his arm around the back of my chair.
Ignoring Blake’s incredulous look, I turn my attention to the ridiculously large piece of cake I’ve conjured.
After everything we’ve been through, I think it’s safe to say I deserve this.
A part of me sees the irony in what has happened.
If I’d simply hidden in the academy instead of attending the games, I’d be in a similar situation as I am now, trapped at Shadowbone.
But then I’m not sure if I would have ever gained my memories back as I did.
Plus, something tells me if Blake hunted me down, Queen Krosia also still would’ve found out I was alive and fated to Thane and the others.
I tell myself that even though I’m trapped here, it was the best outcome.
I mean, it’s not like I would last on a battlefield.
At the thought of being trapped, my gaze lifts to where Elgen and Tarlaz are watching us from the ceiling.
The shadows didn’t say much when I explained all that happened, but I can’t help but feel guilty.
They’d hoped I’d gain an audience with the queen and ask for their freedom from this place, but now, I doubt the shadow queen would ever want to grant me anything.
“Sorry again,” I send to them in my mind. “I let you down.”
“Oh hush,” Tarlaz says, brushing off my comment. “You’re in one piece, child, and that is enough for now. We’ve been here for centuries and can wait longer. There will be other opportunities. Now, hurry up and tell us what it tastes like.”
I grin, stuffing a forkful of cake into my mouth. The tiramisu cake had been Tarlaz’s request, and I was happy to oblige. Honestly, I feel so guilty the shadows could probably ask me for anything, and I would try it.
Focusing on the flavors in my mouth I answer, “Mmm it’s creamy and rich and…
there’s like this bold espresso flavor with cocoa and a hint of rum.
It’s a little bitter, and I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite, but it’s still pretty good.
” A burst of sweetness hits my tongue at the end, and I moan.
“Actually, it’s very good. Oh and it’s so soft, too. ”
Tarlaz groans, licking his lips exaggeratedly like he can taste it as well.
“Yes, yes, that sounds delicious,” Elgen grumbles impatiently. “But now conjure up a red velvet. I’ve always wondered what that would taste like.”
Setting aside the tiramisu, I go about conjuring up the dish as per Elgen’s request, ignoring the strange looks from Blake and her mates.
No doubt, they’re wondering why I’m not eating the other food on the table, but I’m not about to blurt that I’m simply following the wishes of my two shadow friends.
My mates are probably wondering the same thing, though they’re used to me trying different dishes by now.
I still haven’t told anyone about how I can speak to Elgen and Tarlaz, and given everything that’s happened recently, I decide now isn’t the time.
After describing the next cake to Elgen in detail, I return my focus to my demon queen bestie.
She looks completely relaxed, but every so often her fingers stray to the enchanted dagger on her hip, like she’s reassuring herself that it’s there.
I know my friend well enough to see that this whole situation is really troubling her.
“I hate that you made a deal with the shadow queen,” I say abruptly.
Frowning, Blake swallows her mouthful. “Well, I don’t. You know you’re my ride or die, girl. And if this is what it takes to keep you safe...”
My stomach twists, and I give her a weak smile. “But the demon realm finally had peace, and now I’m dragging you and the demons into another war. It’s not fair.”
Blake lifts a finger into the air. “Firstly, you didn’t drag us we hunted you down, because apparently, letting your bestie know you’ve been kidnapped by insanely sexy shadow men isn’t something we share with each other.”
“Hey!” Nate protests through a mouthful of chicken, though there’s a playful gleam in his eyes. “You just admitted you think they’re sexy.”
Blake’s lips twitch, but she ignores him and holds up another finger. “And secondly, after what Queen Krosia just told us, we would have gotten involved sooner or later anyway. This war affects all of us. Being able to use our support as a bargaining chip for you was just a happy coincidence.”
Silence fills the dining room.
“So, what did the queen tell you?” Thane growls, crossing his arms as he studies Blake. “How was it at the shadow palace?”
My friend waves her hand dismissively in the air, though something flickers in her golden eyes. I can’t quite place the emotion. Worry, maybe? If that’s the case, we really must be in trouble.
“She said you’ve all been chasin’ your fuckin’ tails since the moment you were pulled into this war,” Nate comments dryly.
Dante flicks his tail under the table, and the jaguar shifter grunts.
“What?” Nate grumbles. “Am I wrong?”
I’m surprised when Knox is the one to answer. “No,” he replies coldly.
Smiling smugly, Nate spears another hunk of meat with his fork and holds it up. “See. Told ya.”
Blake moves back to her own chair and leans forward.
“Your queen explained all about the humans you recruit and bring to this military academy. She spoke about the prophecy regarding the war, and the increase in the Xalgrith attacks over these past years. Though she didn’t directly say it, the situation here is getting desperate, and even if we hadn’t arrived when we did, it’s likely she would have reached out to the other realms for aid sometime soon.
Your kind are struggling, and it’s only a matter of time before this war turns, and not in your favor. ”
The silence is heavier this time.
“Your shadow army is weak,” Blake goes on.
“Morale is down, your warriors think they’re fighting an unwinnable war, and the only hope stems from this damn prophecy, and the idea that you four will close the fold.
” She narrows her eyes at my mates. “Your warriors are tired, and I’m guessing the queen is hoping the alliance with the demons will bring much needed strength back to the cause, but for how long?
You’ve been fighting this war for centuries.
It’s no wonder she wants Shade dead. Just the idea of Shade’s existence threatens everything, and it could have been enough to fracture the remaining morale of your troops.
I’d say this alliance is currently the only glue holding your forces together.
” Her eyes soften when she peers at me, and I smile weakly.
Right now, Blake isn’t speaking as my bestie.
She’s talking as the demon queen, and while the truth makes my stomach churn, it’s important to hear.
Blake lets out a long breath. “I’ve agreed with Queen Krosia for you to train some of my top generals in your fighting techniques.
Apparently, your shadow abilities are specifically suited to fight against the Xalgrith.
We will stay for a week and learn what we can.
My generals will then pass on this knowledge and train their troops when they return to Seral. ”
My mates nod like they’d already received this information.
“Anything else?” Thane prompts.
Blake’s lips thin. “Shade is to remain here within the academy barrier or the agreement will be voided. The shadow queen assures me there will be terrible repercussions if Shade were to leave these grounds. Aside from that, we are to visit the other realms and convince royalty to also get involved in this war.”
Nate chuckles. “There’s no fuckin’ way you’ll get those bastards in power over in the beast realm to give a shit about anythin’ outside of their realm.”
“The giants are also unlikely to join,” Alaric adds gruffly.
Callan rests an elbow on the table, propping his chin on his fist. “It’s possible, the archangels may see reason with appropriate persuasion.”
“And then that leaves Derois, realm of the water monsters,” Blake says. “Who knows if they’d get involved.”
“Don’t forget the Perstalians and witches, my mate,” Mason comments.
Blake purses her lips. “We would only call on them as a last resort. As far as I’m concerned, they’re outside of the agreement with the shadow queen.”
“She may not see it that way,” Dante points out, his tail flicking in the air.
“Then we’ll deal with that if it comes to it,” Blake replies.
I swallow because a part of me feels responsible. The Perstalians and witches were at war not too long ago. Blake helped to usher in an era of peace for them, but the relationships are still fragile. It makes sense Blake wouldn’t want to involve them in another war. They’ve lost so much already.
“Sorry,” I mumble again, because I can’t help myself.
“Stop that,” Blake tells me. “I told you. We would have gotten involved anyway. But that’s enough about the shadow queen. What we should be discussing is how you’re going to keep Shade safe.” She stares my mates down, and they hold her gaze.
“Well, that’s easy,” I say. “I’ll just stay here. As long as I remain at the academy, Queen Krosia has agreed not to kill me, right?” But even as I say it, an uneasy feeling swirls in my chest. “I mean, right?”
There’s a beat of silence, and Blake shares a look with my mates.
Thane rubs his stubbled chin. “We’ll continue working on building Shade’s powers, but we’ll have to be careful,” he says to Blake.
“I doubt Krosia would be happy to hear we’re training our mate.
But we don’t have many other options. If Krosia ever sees the opportunity to take Shade’s life, she will. ”
“What about immortality?” Dante asks. “That’s what your graduation games were about, were they not? If we make Shade immortal, it will at least be harder for anyone to harm her.”
I perk up at that, because it’s something I’ve wanted to know for a while.