Page 21 of How to Claim A Shadow King

“You can tell him yourself, when we’re done with you,” the monster responds, and all around us, yellow lights begin to glow. “Your witch, though, she won’t be able to talk.”

I gasp, outraged, regretting throwing my stupid excuse for a knife already.

“How dare you—” I start. White light, pure as fresh snow, rips out of me, drenching the deep forest in color. Where the monster’s yellow sapped it, my light is the light of day, the light of dawn.

Malakai grips me tighter to him, and I stare at my outstretched hand in wonder as he begins to run, faster than any human I’ve ever seen.

Much faster than I’d ever be able to.

I grip the leather battle armor as tight as I can, determined not to fall off.

“At least this has a purpose now,” I tell him weakly, the light finally fading from where it’s trickled out of my skin.

“What?” he asks.

“Your armor. It’s a perfect little saddle.” I jiggle it for effect.

Malakai simply looks exasperated.

9

MALAKAI

She’s cold, scared, her teeth chattering, her clothes are ruined with soil and forest muck—and still she managed to light up an entire flock of Seelie abominations.

I’ve never been prouder in any of my lifetimes.

“You did well, Aveline.” I pat her back, and she stares up at me with wide, terrified eyes.

“What were those things?”

“They are the reason we must wed,” I tell her, my satisfaction draining, replaced with grimness. “That is the reason I am here again. And why you are at my side.”

She wriggles slightly. “I’m not at your side if you’re holding me.” Each breath sounds slightly difficult, and I readjust my grip to give her more room to get air.

“I can move more freely in my battle⁠—”

“Ceremonial lingerie, yes, I see that.” Her voice is slightly pained, and I hold her more gingerly as I run.

“Am I hurting you?”

“Nope.”

“You seem uncomfortable.”

“I have an acre of muscled flesh pressed up against me for the first time in my life.”

“But only in this life.” Does my bare chest truly bother her so much? I’ll have to have the castle wardrobe give me something more… chaste.

“You keep saying that,” she says, and I glance down to see her inspecting her dirt-streaked hand. “But I don’t… I don’t remember anything.”

“You usually don’t. My own memories are scattered.”

My gaze flits down at where I hold her, and her blue eyes pierce mine, her forehead creased with troubled thoughts. Even like this, dirty, annoyed—she is spectacular.

“I wanted to choose,” she starts to say, but her voice breaks on the word.

“Choose?” My brow furrows, and I brush off a bramble trying to attach itself to my thigh as I keep moving, further from the Seelie creatures who should not be in the Elder Forest. “A spouse, you mean?”