Page 49 of Shadows Lost (Remnant Archives #1)
E mon hummed against my ear and reached down to my trembling fists, flattening it out with his own like he had done the night before in his study.
“You can control this. Think of the pool. The coolness of the water. The sun on your face. The peaceful weightlessness of your body floating there. Now breathe and picture it.”
I focused on the lingering power that resonated from his deep soothing voice even as he leaned back in his chair but never pulled his hand away from mine.
His roughened fingertips trailed across my skin with lulling swirls and it reminded me of the cool waters of the pool, caressing over my heated skin.
Inhaling deeply, I felt the vice in my chest ease, then opened my eyes.
The fog had been lifted, the buzzing had dimmed even though the shifters in the room were still eating and conversing.
No one glanced at me oddly, no one stared at the shifter king’s hand in mine, no one noticed the beaded sweat on my temple that I subtly wiped away nor the darkened shadows that had crept across the floor around them.
I let out a relieved sigh that unfortunately drew the violet eyed shifter’s attention towards me.
“I hear there was quite the commotion on the rooftops this morning.” He winked at Emon and I. “I'm sorry I missed out on all the foreplay before the meeting.”
No one saw the master healer's hand until the sound of a loud smack upside the shifter's head echoed in the room.
Penina snickered, tossing her apple core on the table before grabbing another one, her foot bouncing to a beat only she could hear.
“Oww, what the fuck was that for healer?” The violet eyed shifter turned snarling.
“You know what it was for.” Jarquinn pointed out. “Now behave and don’t make me do it again.”
“Don’t worry, my friend,” Penina cooed through a mouthful of apple. Eshe grimaced across the table. “Your stamina would not have been able to keep up with those two. We all know you're a short sprinter .”
“Do not provoke him, Sythe! And get your feet off the table.” The master healer's ice blue eyes glowed with purpose but he could not stop the twitching of his lips breaking into a smile.
Laughter seized the room. Penina’s comment had been well timed…almost purposefully timed.
The young shifter's brown eyes turned on me knowingly. Glancing down at Emon’s hand in mine, she winked.
Emon chuckled next to me, seeing her just as I did and withdrew his hand without anyone noticing.
Penina turned her attention back to her new apple biting into it with an overzealous crunch, her feet still on the table.
When the laughter died down, Emon cleared his throat and sat straighter in his seat. Everyone noticed the subtle shift in power. I knew if I turned on my aura sight now, I would be blinded by his might. “Now that the introductions are done let us move onto more important matters.”
The tattooed shifter with piercings and purple eyes growled low in his throat. “Not so fast. Aren’t you going to introduce me to beauty?”
The king's eyes widened with mocking shock. “Oh did I forget you twinkle toes? Apologies. General Dark, meet dickhead. ”
His friend chuckled and shook his head. “I don’t need you to introduce me, you self entitled prick.
” Jarquinn’s hand twitched on the table.
“I am General Tyr Cloud, leader of the West Isle armies, beauty. Feel free to come to me when you’re ready to dust yourself off.
I’ll take pleasure in being the first to break you in. ”
Emon snarled softly but I laughed.
“You can’t break what's already broken, shifter, but even as a rustic relic you’re no match for me.” I shrugged. “But if you want pointers in areas that you’re lacking , I’ll be happy to oblige.”
His violet eyes twinkled as he stretched his arms out welcoming. “Inspect me anytime, beauty.”
Emon lunged into his vision. “There will be no fucking inspecting anyone!” He hissed. “Yet, you wonder why I don’t introduce you to anyone.”
Tyr grinned, his fangs showing off in the morning sun. “It’s because you always find it so hard to share your love for me with any other.”
Emon stared at his general for a long moment while everyone held their breath, then he snorted.
“If that is what you wish to believe.” He scanned his inner circle with a mixture of both love and sternness.
“Before I get to why I called you all here, would anyone like to share something of concern to them?”
There was a quiet silence before Penina piped in. “Freya’s pastie cart has a new flavor.”
Everyone groaned.
“I know it! I hate it when she does that.” Quinn looked up from his hands, his crystal blue eyes full of anxiety.
“Aye, son.” Added Master Riss. “Everyone knows her traditional pasties are the best.”
Emon stared down the healer’s son with concern. “What’s the new flavor then?”
My lips pressed together to keep from laughing at the serious way they were discussing a change in menu.
“Lamb and parsnips with tarragon.” Quinn groaned.
“Lamb?” Emon frowned then swiveled to Eshe. “What’s going on with our beef stock? Did Gain raise the prices again?”
Eshe rolled her eyes exasperatedly. “Of course he did, your majesty. The moment you left actually. I am sure beef pasties will be back on the menu soon enough with word of your return. It’s likely Gain saw your morning run this morning and peed his pants knowing what that would mean. ”
The shifter king grunted. “I’m not giving him reprieve. Put Gain on the community cycle next month. Let him service the very neighbors he has been ripping off.”
Eshe nodded. “With pleasure.”
“Which reminds me…when is my next rotation?”
I frowned. The king of shifters did community service?
Emon noticed and winked. “Don’t look so shocked, how do you think I stay in such good shape?”
Penina gurgled around her apple. “Don’t let him fool you. He takes the easiest jobs.”
Emon bristled. “There has to be some perk to being king.”
Everyone rolled their eyes. I sensed this wasn’t their first conversation regarding the manner.
“There is an open spot for nymph duty, your highness.” Eshe fluttered her eyelashes and everyone sniggered.
Emon rubbed that scruff of his beard, his lips thinning with a grimace. “Anyone want to trade?”
The room was silent. Even Jarquinn, the ancient fae healer, looked disturbed.
I dared to break the stoic silence. “What is nymph duty?”
“Babysitting, beauty.” Tyr called down. “Those little demons go wild when they know their parents go away for their great hunts once a month. They fucking terrorize the city.”
I raised a comic brow at all of them and bit at my lip. “You are afraid of watching baby nymphs?” I turned towards the king who was rubbing his hands against his pants with nervousness. “Even you?”
Emon flinched. “I’d rather face down a full flight of dragons or better yet your shadows then those little beasts.”
I choked. Then snorted. Then a burst of laughter bubbled out from me and once it started it could not stop. I felt tears roll down my cheeks and my stomach pull in my hilarity. Wheezing, I was able to control myself into soft giggles, wiping my eyes with the palm of my hand.
“You do all realize—” I chortled again and then took a deep breath to calm myself.
“That baby nymphs naturally go into a deep sleep when their parents hunt in the wild? Their mothers and fathers leave them with siren songs they collect from conch shells. A week long lullaby to keep their little terrors in a deep sleep.” I snickered .
Silence. Dead silence. Even Penina’s foot stopped bouncing on the table.
“Eshe.” Emon said softly. “I want an immediate rush on siren cursed conch shells. The faster the better.”
I shook my head, more laughter escaping me.
“Consider it done, your majesty.” Eshe nodded with determination set in her eyes.
“And take Quinn with you when you go to see Gain.” He added.
Quinn sat straighter in his chair, a hopeful expression crossing his handsome face. I glanced at Eshe next to him who did not seem to share a similar sentiment.
“No need. I can handle Gain.”
The king sighed. “I have no doubt you can handle him. I am hoping to avoid that.”
Eshe pouted. “Of course your majesty.”
Emon’s authority swept across the table like the cool morning breeze snaking through the windows. “Anything else?”
Across the table the master healer cleared his throat. “General Tyr received word from the Red Cap Mountains requesting your presence when you’ve returned home.” He said softly, giving the king a pointed look.
The air seemed to be sucked from the very room, every shifter in the room inhaling with stiff forms, their expressions solemn.
Emon drummed his fingers on the table and inhaled deeply. “So be it, it seems I will be needing to go there anyway.” His stern gaze casted across the room. “If that is all, then I have some very grave news.”