Page 66 of Claimed By Shadow and Blood (Of Fae and Wolf Trilogy #2)

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Vad

T error and hot rage bolted through me, and I nearly fell into the railing of the Ceremonial Hall’s dais. My heart squeezed, and my hand clutched at my chest. What in the fecking void was that? A single panicked thought seared through my mind: Briar .

Vyraetos placed his hand on my shoulder. “Are you all right, Your Highness?”

We’d just endured yet another earthquake, and yet the old man was steadier on his feet than I was. I straightened, I kept gripping the marble railing. “Yes,” I forced out. A bitter taste coated my tongue. The odd sensation in my chest twisted, then vanished.

I wanted to portal to Briar at once, but I was at the front of the Ceremonial Hall, which had been charmed and sigiled against using any such magic.

I needed to go to the sigil on the other side of the doors to be able to use my magic.

My shadows coiled uneasily around my ankles, lashing out and pressing up against the walls.

The sensation vanished, but the dread refused to leave. It weighed on me heavier than anything I’d experienced before, and my chest seemed cold. Was it the earthquake? Perhaps, but none of the others had done this to me. Even the previous symptoms of the weakening magic had not been this bad.

The Ceremonial Hall had fared better than expected. The quake had shifted things more than it had shattered, but it had lasted longer than the previous ones.

Nausea churned within me, and my head thundered. My grip on the magic of this kingdom was slipping, and it soured within me. The coronation and wedding couldn’t happen soon enough.

Vyraetos gave a mournful shake of his head. “A pity the vesting didn’t hold longer. It’s good that this will be over and done with so soon. It cannot be hidden any longer.”

“Agreed.” I scanned the hall as the servants milled about, frantically adjusting and reordering furnishings and décor.

The long red carpet that ran down the center of the hall from the towering onyx double doors to the front dais had been pushed partly aside in places where black benches had scooted into it, and unlit black torches lay across it.

A pair of servants moved through the two broad seating sections on either side of the carpet, checking for damage.

We had less than half an hour before people would start arriving, and I had to finish overseeing the final preparations, then dress in my royal raiment and return to greet the essential dignitaries and council members.

The black and gold marble dais had several hairline fractures, but the orchestra box had escaped mostly unscathed. Luckily, the two high-backed thrones on the smaller dais were simply slightly askew.

The only thing that had remained perfectly in place was the massive shadow beast banner that hung from the ceiling and above the thrones. The shadow beast’s red eye looked out over the grand hall with cunning and wisdom, the weaving itself so vivid that it looked real.

An unsettling sensation passed through me, my stomach twisting again, and the sense of urgency intensified.

“Do whatever is necessary to finalize preparations then.” I set my hands on my belt and lowered my head, fighting a grimace. Another spasm passed through me, and my veins burned. Feck. This was getting bad, and I didn’t know how to stop it.

“Colm Ainle will almost assuredly inquire again about the execution.” Vyraetos clasped his hands behind his back.

“I have thus far kept him at bay by telling him that all plans have been placed on hold because we’ve been forced to advance the coronation so swiftly and because we don't yet know the identities of the co-conspirators, so his expertise is unneeded.”

“He doesn’t have to be pleased right now.

He just has to stay out of the way,” I muttered.

“Make sure there are extra guards present here. Loyal ones. Captain Finbar will be in attendance as well.” Briar coming onto the dais and kneeling to receive the crown and take vows would create a scene.

I’d already warned Thalen to be ready with his circle of silence, and he had promised to use it to excellent effect.

I wished more than anything that I could visit Briar right this moment.

Generally speaking, it wasn’t considered wise for a groom to see his bride in her full regalia before a wedding, but after all that had happened, I didn’t care about tradition.

As soon as I was out of this damnably long hall, I'd portal to her room and make sure she was all right.

I continued down the staircase, pushing down the sensation of nausea. My shadows coiled tighter around me.

Attendants darted up to me with last-minute questions even as I quickened my pace.

I answered brusquely. The black armored winged guards at the massive double doors stood to attention and opened them for me as I approached.

Almost there. Just a few feet more until I could be with Briar once more. To the void with bad luck!

I’d barely reached the threshold, though, when Calla Lily ran up to me, her eyes wide and tears streaming down her cheeks. She clasped a folded piece of parchment in one hand. “Your Highness,” she sobbed. “Your Highness, I’m so sorry.” She handed me the letter.

The two guards at the door looked to me, their grips tightening on their spears as they angled them in her direction.

I didn’t take the letter and drew back a step to stop her before she could even attempt to touch me. I scowled. “What’s going on?” I tried to keep my voice level, but I wanted her to leave so I could reach my beloved.

She covered her mouth with one hand, then tried to hand me the folded parchment again. “Forgive me, Your Highness.” She continued to keep her hand outstretched with trembling fingers and clearly wasn’t going to leave until I acknowledged whatever the letter held.

My frown deepened as I snatched the letter away, avoiding brushing her fingers. It weighed more than I expected, the wax seal nothing more than a blob of white candlewax. But the paper smelled like cinnamon and ginger, and my stomach dropped. Dread rose within me.

I opened it carefully.

The onyx ring slipped out and onto my palm, and my heart chilled. The black inked letters, written in a hasty, sprawling script with little hearts over any letter with a dot, blurred on the page.

Vad,

I’m sorry to tell you this way, and I hope you can forgive me. Please know that this decision was not made lightly.

As much as I thought I cared about you, I’ve realized my priorities were wrong.

I belong to another life, one that comes with my own duties and expectations. I’m both upset and ashamed that it took me this long to remember who truly has my loyalty.

You were a dream and a lie. My sister needs me. The pack needs me. I have to go back, and I’m leaving right now. Don’t try to find me, ever .

I’ve decided to keep the dress. I couldn’t bear to part with it after everything, and it will remind me of you, of our moments, and of the way you looked at me like I was a rare unicorn. I will treasure it even as I return to the world that needs me.

I want to reiterate to the fullest measure that you shouldn’t come looking for me. That would only cause more complications and pain, and you deserve peace. You deserve a queen who is strong and certain of her place beside you.

You must trust the will of the councils. They know what is best for the kingdom, and they will tell you who has been chosen.

As for us—there never truly was an “us,” was there? It was always something... brief. Temporary. An escapade of sorts.

But I will think of it—of you—fondly.

Goodbye, Vad. Do not grieve. This is for the best.

With sincere warmth and a wish for you to thrive,

Briar

My mind spun, and I stumbled. No.

No!

My heart ripped apart to where I couldn’t feel it anymore.

This was wrong . It didn’t make sense at all. She’d wanted us both to visit her sister. Why would she do this, and why wouldn’t she tell me to my face?

Though my mouth went dry, I forced myself to swallow and steadied my grip on the letter.

I peered at Calla Lily over the parchment and fixed her with a stern glare.

“You speak of this to no one under pain of death, do you understand?” Misunderstanding or not, I didn’t want anyone to know that Briar was still alive yet. "Who else knows of this?”

She bowed her head, still trembling. “She only told me.”

That was odd. Why Calla Lily? I shook my head and gestured toward the hall beyond the great doors as Thalen approached. “Go.”

“I’m so sorry, Your Highness,” she said, bowing her head. Turning, she fled.

Thalen spread his arms, and his wings mirrored the movement, catching the golden torchlight on his silver feathers as he continued toward me. “Breaking more hearts?”

I thrust the letter at him and drew a hand over my mouth. I wanted to vomit, but my stomach cramped around nothing. This wasn’t happening. It made no sense. How could it be real?

Thalen’s eyes widened as he read the letter. His fingers crumbled the edge of the page. “This isn’t from her, Vad.”

One of the attendants approached me, wearing a dark gray uniform, his blonde hair swept back and tied in a low ponytail.

“Your Highness, the princess wishes to inform you that she awaits your presence in the welcome alcove so that you may both greet the arriving dignitaries and royals. Two delegations have already arrived.”

Feck. I still had to get dressed. A tight breath hissed through my teeth.

We were running out of time. “Tell her I will be there in a few minutes.” I massaged my temples and motioned for Thalen to come with me.

He lowered the letter and folded it, but his posture tightened, his smile flattening into a scowl.

"This isn't her," Thalen said again.

“Then who is it?” I gritted my teeth.