Page 3

To have a possession like this… I smiled.

He grinned cockily in reply. My thighs clenched.

That wasdefinitelymy cue to leave.

“Thank you,” I breathed. Shy and startled, I retreated down the darkened hall. In the light of his authority, a little nobody like me would be forgotten.

In my departure, the minstrel picked up a proper tune. The beat tempted me. To dance. To live.

I forced myself to return to my room instead. Only once I was secure did I examine the sigil in more detail.

A pomegranate and a crow. The fruit’s flesh was torn, its arils scattered across the seal. The crow’s eyes glinted, seeing far, knowing deep. It guarded the fruit.

The Shadow Court.

But how?

Their isle wasgone,consumed by Gloom when the Shades first appeared. Its residents had scattered, becoming refugees. Only two members of the original Shadow Court remained, twins, a brother and sister.

That man… Was he the exiled prince?

Zayne

Everything went according to plan. Everyone in the tavern saw the sigil emblazoned on my handkerchief.

If Teyr spoke true, the barkeep was a spy. Even if he was wrong, word of a drunk, arrogant princeling would soon get around.

The female was an unexpected surprise. I had been looking for someone like her—an alluring first-timer who a drunk princeling might give the handkerchief to—but I had never expected her to captivate me.

She was pretty, in a covert way. Her beauty radiated past the scarf hiding her. Her posture was unsure, but her essence, cherry and spice, was evidence of depth. Despite her attempts to hide it, she had strength.

When our hands touched? I didn’t think magic was possible here, but she made me think otherwise. For a moment, something weaved between us. She was more than I expected, more than I was prepared for.

Already, memories of her bright green eyes sent shivers down my spine. If I didn’t have something important to do, I would have hurried after her, offering her another drink. Unlike the true me, this persona could be romantically brave, pursuing a stranger when I normally wouldn’t.

Maybe it was for the best that she’d left so hurriedly. She would be a distraction.

I dragged my thoughts from her and focused on the barkeep. Given the glint in her eyes, she knew who I was. My work here was done.

With a dramatic flourish, I finished my drink and smiled at the other patrons. By now, the minstrel was awake, playing a proper tune.

I weaved toward the door, moving far more drunkenly than I truly felt. Nobody could suspect that I’d revealed myself on purpose—that would only make a dangerous situation worse.

Tomorrow, I would cross the Rift, finally leaving the human continent to begin my journey home. Myrealhome, the Isle of Shadow.

Now that my identity was known, the Shades were sure to attack. Inarus was looking for me, and I wanted to be found.

Let the Shades cast their Brand on my flesh. May the Brand guide my journey north. It was all part of my plan.

Honestly, it was a lousy plan. One likely to cost my life.

Only, I would do anything to save my sister.

2 | Their Second Sighting

Ayla

A dense fog filled the horizon as we approached the Rift. I watched from the bow of the merchant’s ship.