Page 21
Story: Devoured By Shadows
The prince raised a brow, seeming to consider her for a long moment. Then he gestured to the castle with a jerk of his chin. “My sources informed me that Elias had a certain map in his possession.”
“What kind of map?” Breckett interjected, which surprised Arabella. He’d been unusually quiet since their altercation with the ogres.
“An ancient one said to be created by the shadow fae,” Hadeon said.
“What do you need it for?” she asked.
Where did the map lead? The fae had gateways they could use to travel between the fae lands and the mortal realm. Where else could he want to go?
“I’m in search of someone who can’t be reached by the usual means of travel,” the prince said slowly, his eyes assessing her, almost feline. “However, this map is special. It was made by and for shadow fae. Only one of them can read it.”
Brows drawing together, she said, “You’re not shadow fae.”
“No, indeed,” he agreed. “It was a problem I’d planned to address once the map was in my possession. But now… I daresay we have a common goal.”
Eyes narrowing, she began putting pieces together.
Hadeon was searching for someone who wasn’t in the fae or mortal realms. To find them, he needed a map that only the shadow fae could read.
Then she made a guess.
“You’re looking for the shadow fae. Aren’t you?” When Hadeon didn’t deny it, she continued, “Your court nearly single-handedly wiped them out of existence during the fae wars. Even mortals know the stories.” Turning to her friends, she scratchedthe back of her head before saying, “The prince thinks I’m shadow fae.”
Brynne tilted her head back and laughed. It was a deep, booming sound—and one Arabella had heard countless times in the House of Obscurities over tankards of ale.
Jessamine, on the other hand, stood with pursed lips, her eyes narrowing as though deep in thought. Then she shrugged and said, “That would explain the shadow magic.”
Cora opened her mouth, closed it, and opened it again. “It would be rare for a mortal to possess fae lineage. But in case you need to hear it, we love you no matter what, Arabella.”
Hadeon snorted and raised an eyebrow in Cora’s direction. “Are you implying fae lineage is undesirable, Enchantress?”
“Association with your kind isn’t a good thing where we come from,” Jessamine cut in before Cora could reply. “Lucky for you, if Arabella is part fae, she will make your kind somewhat redeemable.”
“Just who do you think Arabella’s parents are?” Brynne asked.
Hadeon shrugged noncommittally. “I have theories about Enchantress Arabella’s parentage. And I’ll gladly provide more insight—in exchange for the map.”
Jessamine rolled her eyes. “I’ve heard better starting offers from toddlers on market day.”
Thinking quickly, Arabella said, “I’ll help you find the map if you assist us in rescuing Elias. He’s been taken by a sorcerer named Magnus.”
“No,” Hadeon said, his tone grave. “I cannot be seen in open conflict with a sorcerer, especially not one as powerful as Magnus. There are too many… political ramifications for my court that I simply cannot risk.”
Even having expected this answer, anger filled her.
“You killed some of his ogres,” she said. “How is stealing one of his prisoners any different?”
A sad smile played on Hadeon’s lips. “Killing a few ogres can be overlooked in the name of self-defense. But stealing his prized erox? Even I’ve heard about Magnus’ infatuation with Elias.”
She swallowed back the lump forming in her throat.
Getting Hadeon to help them had been a stretch. She hadn’t actually expected him to say yes. But hearing that he wouldn’t help her rescue her mate cut deeply all the same.
Stay strong, Elias,she thought.I’m coming for you soon.
“This is why we hate fae,” Jessamine spat, sharp eyes fixed on Hadeon. “You only do things that benefityou.”
Arabella placed a hand on Jessamine’s arm.
Table of Contents
- Page 1
- Page 2
- Page 3
- Page 4
- Page 5
- Page 6
- Page 7
- Page 8
- Page 9
- Page 10
- Page 11
- Page 12
- Page 13
- Page 14
- Page 15
- Page 16
- Page 17
- Page 18
- Page 19
- Page 20
- Page 21 (Reading here)
- Page 22
- Page 23
- Page 24
- Page 25
- Page 26
- Page 27
- Page 28
- Page 29
- Page 30
- Page 31
- Page 32
- Page 33
- Page 34
- Page 35
- Page 36
- Page 37
- Page 38
- Page 39
- Page 40
- Page 41
- Page 42
- Page 43
- Page 44
- Page 45
- Page 46
- Page 47
- Page 48
- Page 49
- Page 50
- Page 51
- Page 52
- Page 53
- Page 54
- Page 55
- Page 56
- Page 57
- Page 58
- Page 59
- Page 60
- Page 61
- Page 62
- Page 63
- Page 64
- Page 65
- Page 66
- Page 67
- Page 68
- Page 69
- Page 70
- Page 71
- Page 72
- Page 73
- Page 74
- Page 75
- Page 76
- Page 77
- Page 78
- Page 79
- Page 80
- Page 81
- Page 82
- Page 83
- Page 84
- Page 85
- Page 86
- Page 87
- Page 88
- Page 89
- Page 90
- Page 91
- Page 92
- Page 93
- Page 94
- Page 95
- Page 96
- Page 97
- Page 98
- Page 99
- Page 100
- Page 101
- Page 102
- Page 103
- Page 104
- Page 105
- Page 106
- Page 107
- Page 108
- Page 109
- Page 110
- Page 111
- Page 112
- Page 113
- Page 114
- Page 115
- Page 116
- Page 117
- Page 118
- Page 119
- Page 120
- Page 121
- Page 122
- Page 123
- Page 124
- Page 125
- Page 126
- Page 127
- Page 128