Page 32 of Taken By Shadows

“Has decided to take a bride,” I finished with a grin.

Gavrin’s laugh split the air like thunder. He was doubled over within seconds, smacking his leg. The poor cat that had been around his feet skittered off with a yowl.

“You’re not serious?” More laughter careened out of Gavrin.

“Brother,” Kaedian forced through gritted teeth, “I will kill you.” But Gavrin didn’t seem to hear the threat over the now pouring rain. Or his laughter that stole his breath.

Brother? Looking at the two of them side by side, I couldn’t imagine they were related. But perhaps there was something stronger than blood between them.

“As long as there is wine and debauchery at the celebration, I’ll toast to the happy couple.”

Kaedian vanished from his place beside me and tackled Gavrin to the ground, silencing the roars of amusement.

A mass of night dark shadows and green clouds sprang to life around them.

Gavrin’s magic was so different from Kaedian’s. It was rich and earthy like moss and agate, an utter contrast to the darkness it whirled with.

They used magic so freely, so fluidly, like it was another limb or part of them, and as I watched, I felt bound by the confines of my body. I wanted to flex and move my hands like I had as a child, willing the space before me to fill with magic. But I knew nothing would manifest. That ghostly feeling beneath my skin where something should be but wasn’t lingered and left only a cold echo.

My heart lurched as I thought to untangle them. But Gavrin’s laughter rippled through the cloud of magic around them.

Weren’t they worried someone would see?

But there was no one. Not even the cat anymore.

They were so rapt with their fighting that I thought about looking for an exit. But a little part of me knew, even if I had paid attention to the way I’d come, I wanted something from this city before I left. There was a murmuring between the walls and streets for me to explore her before I found my escape.

The scuffling came to an abrupt stop, and the shadows and verdant clouds parted.

Kaedian had Gavrin in a headlock while they both knelt on the water-drowned paving.

“Breathe a word of this to anyone, Gav, and I’ll fight you until you regret knowing me.” He squeezed a little harder on Gavrin’s neck, but there was an undercurrent in his words that undid the menace of them.

A boyish smile crept over Gavrin’s face. “You’d have to beat me again for that to happen,” he croaked. “And besides, I won’t have to tell anyone about your impending nuptials. You’ll have to do that yourself.”

Kaedian froze, his bicep still flexed around Gavrin’s neck.

“He’s right, you know,” I said, stepping into their arena. Somehow, seeing them fight like children had washed even more fear from my ringing blood. “If anyone hears from Carron that you’ve found a bride but didn’t shout it from the rooftops yourself, no one will believe you. And suddenly, you’re a liar, and I’m free to go with my broken heart.” I clutched my chest in a false swoon.

Either Kaedian played into the hand he’d dealt himself, or he let everyone believe we weren’t betrothed. Carron was a gossip, according to Gavrin. So no doubt the entire borough already knew about the Lord and his new lady.

Gavrin tapped out on Kaedian’s forearm. “I’m beginning to like your new bride, Kaed. She’s far smarter than you.”

Chapter ten

Laughing all the while to himself, Gavrin had left us at the entrance to what felt like a palace.

Its walls were tall and made of smooth cream blocks. I craned my neck up, up and up to the roof of pale beryl, domed and topped with a javelin-like spike that pointed to the sky.

White marbled floors with veins of shimmering grey lined the foyer within and led us up bifurcating, curved stairs. Mirror copies of the stairs continued on each level all the way to the sleeping quarters of the palace.

“It’s not a palace,” Kaedian informed me.

“I didn’t say anything.”

“I don’t have to hear your thoughts to know what you’re thinking. Everyone thinks it’s a palace when they first come here.”

Could he hear my thoughts? My insides went watery and weak at the idea. I didn’t think I could keep my venom or … other thoughts in check.