Page 30 of Sun, Moon & Shadow (Fate of Aemoria #1)

The guards parted, and a male emerged from the center of the line, pinning Nova with a hard stare.

He was tall and muscular, clad in the same uniform and breastplate as the others, with his sword sheathed at his hip.

He was pale with jet-black hair cropped close to his scalp on the sides, wavy locks sweeping over the top.

An unsettling glint shone in his eyes, the fair skin around them smudged with what looked like soot.

He smirked at her, his lip curling back to reveal slightly elongated canines.

“Welcome to Silvergard.” He held his arms out wide at his sides. “It looks as though you ran into some bad weather, Miss ...”

“My name is Nova,” she said, her voice mercifully flat as she willed her face into her practiced mask of detachment. “And you are?”

“Commander Lucan,” he said with a grin, flashing those teeth again. “Head of the Noble Lord’s private guard.”

“Perhaps your guards could lower their weapons, Commander. As you can see, I am at a disadvantage.” She held up her hands and gestured to her general lack of weapons.

He seemed to consider her request, an intense, faraway expression clouding his eyes for a moment, before signaling to his guards on the Silvergardian vessel.

All sheathed their blades and lowered their bows on his command, but the Nivalian sailors remained held at knifepoint.

The commander widened his stance and clasped his gloved hands together in front of him.

“The Noble Lord of Silvergard seeks an audience with you.”

“What could he possibly want with me?”

“He’s heard of you. He’d like to meet you. He asks you to join him at his Estate for a time. As his guest.”

“If this is truly an invitation, I’m afraid I must decline,” she said.

Callan shifted on his feet, and his captor tugged his head back by his hair, pressing the blade closer to his throat. A thin line of crimson bloomed against the warm brown skin just below the curve of his jaw.

“It’s a polite request.” The commander’s smirk faded a bit. “One I strongly suggest you accept.”

“Nova, don’t.” Callan's voice was at once desperate and commanding. The Silvergardian archers raised their bows once again, training their weapons on him.

Nova moved swiftly, placing her body between Callan and more than a dozen taut bowstrings. She held her palms up to the commander, indicating her submission, then shot a glance at Callan over her shoulder, silently pleading with him to keep still.

Be quiet.

Callan’s brows drew together, his eyes widening.

“And how long would I remain a guest of the Noble Lord?” she asked, turning back to the commander and mustering as much indifference as possible under the circumstances.

“Until the next new moon.”

Roughly one month .

Nova thought quickly, devising a bargain she hoped would see everyone out of the godsforsaken situation safely.

“I will accompany you if you agree to allow my companions to return to Nivali immediately, and you personally guarantee no harm of any kind will come to them at the hands of any citizen of Silvergard.” She held her breath.

“I don’t think you’re in a position to be making bargains. From where I’m standing, I’ve got the upper hand,” Lucan said, cocking his head to the side.

“Then I appeal to your honor, Commander.”

His eyes flashed for an instant before his sly grin returned.

“I should warn you, I’m more animal than man. You may be disappointed to find my honor somewhat lacking.” He paused for a beat before giving a resolute nod. “Very well. I agree to your terms.” Nova released a slow breath as Lucan relayed his orders to the guards.

“This crew is under my protection. No harm is to come to them.” He turned back to her and made a mocking bow. “But you, Miss Nova, you’re coming with me.”

The guards released the crew at once. Callan’s captor shoved him roughly, and he fell onto his knees on the deck. Nova rushed forward and knelt before him, reaching instinctively for the superficial wound on his throat. Callan laid his hand on top of hers, their faces hovering close together.

“Don’t do this,” he whispered.

“I have to. It’s the only way to keep you all safe. You need to go—now.” Her words rushed past her lips just ahead of the panic creeping up her throat. The longer they lingered, the more she worried the commander might change his mind. “I’ll contact you as soon as I can.”

Callan’s dark eyes stormed, but he released her hand, his chin dropping to his chest. Fearing she might never see him again, Nova took his face in her hands and rested her forehead against his. She longed to kiss him, to feel his mouth against hers once more, but she denied the impulse.

I will return to you, she thought. A vow she couldn’t bring herself to utter aloud.

Nova dragged herself away from him, defying the undeniable pull connecting them.

Callan’s eyes shimmered, his chest rising and falling rapidly, his brow furrowed as he watched her leave.

One of the soldiers gripped Nova’s arm, ushering her to the railing where a second soldier pulled her up onto the deck of the Silvergardian vessel.

She couldn’t bring herself to look back at Callan as tears welled in her eyes. She hoped she would live to keep her promise.