Page 38 of Sun, Moon & Shadow (Fate of Aemoria #1)

Nova tossed the sketchbook onto the table with a thud and glanced up at the portrait hanging above the fireplace.

The image of her father never failed to unnerve her, his piercing eyes often seeming to stalk her as she moved about the room.

The sound of muffled voices carried through the cracked door of Nox’s study.

Nova rose to her feet, forcing herself to turn her back on the painting and rush toward the study.

In her haste to escape Omen’s eerie gaze, she burst through the door without knocking, skidding to a halt just inside.

Nox sat behind his desk, knees spread wide with Lucan stood between them.

Lucan leaned over her uncle, his hands braced firmly on the carved wooden arms of the chair.

She might have found the position threatening if not for Lucan’s sly smile and Nox’s slender fingers gripping Lucan’s forearms, his face tilted expectantly toward the commander’s.

Lucan stepped back at once, his hands going to his sides as he stood at attention. Nox shifted in his seat and stumbled his way through a greeting. Nova had never seen her uncle flustered before.

“I ... I’m sorry I missed breakfast,” she said.

“I wondered when you’d turn up.” Nox motioned for her to take a seat. A faint flush seared his pale cheeks, and Nova wondered how often her own complexion betrayed her thoughts despite her best efforts to hide them.

“How was training?” Nox asked breezily.

“Fine.” She flopped down onto one of the twin leather wingbacks sitting opposite the desk, shooting a sideways glance at Lucan.

“Come now, Nova. Don’t be so modest,” Lucan teased, sinking into the seat beside hers. “You would have been so proud, my Lord. She nearly gutted me.” Lucan grinned, showing off his pearly white fangs.

Nox arched an eyebrow. “I can’t imagine why.”

Lucan set to work cleaning his fingernails with his dagger, and Nova breathed a silent sigh of relief that he’d omitted the part about her outburst.

A knock sounded at the door with a servant announcing a visitor. “General Idrian has arrived, my Lord.”

“A bit earlier than expected,” Nox sighed, pushing his chair back and walking around to the front of his desk. “Please show him in.”

Lucan rose from his seat as the general entered.

Nova remained seated but twisted in her chair, her eyes landing first on a pair of black leather boots, hitting just below the knee and buffed to a shine.

Her gaze traveled upward over finely tailored black breeches and a meticulously pressed tunic to match, before finally settling on the general’s face.

His black hair was cut close on the sides but kept longer and combed back at the crown. A thin streak of silver mixed with the strands above his left eye. Full brows crowned his slate-gray eyes, and his mouth formed a serious line above a deep cleft in his chin.

“My Lord,” the general said, bowing low while his spine remained as straight as an arrow.

“General Idrian. Welcome back to the Silvergard Estate. It’s been many years, hasn’t it?”

“Indeed, it has.”

Nox leaned casually against his desk while the general maintained a soldier’s posture.

“You remember Commander Lucan, the head of my guard?”

“Yes, of course.” Idrian nodded politely in Lucan’s direction before taking notice of Nova, peeking out like a child from behind the wing of the chair.

“Allow me to introduce Nova.” Nox held out his hand, and she took it, rising to stand beside him. “Nova is a relative visiting the capital after many years spent abroad.”

Nova didn’t flinch at her uncle’s practiced evasion to explain her presence at the Estate.

He was always very careful to avoid revealing the truth of her paternity to anyone.

She smiled faintly, more than happy to play along.

She’d never had a knack for lying, even in the Human Realm, but she’d certainly been learning the fine art of dancing around the truth since arriving in Silvergard.

“Pleased to meet you,” she said, making a quick curtsy.

“Likewise,” Idrian replied, bowing his head briefly.

“I’m afraid I won’t be able to meet until tomorrow, General.” Nox held his hands out at his sides apologetically. “But please, make yourself at home while you’re here. I’ve had my staff prepare a chamber for you.”

“You are very generous, my Lord. But I’ve come with twenty of my best soldiers, and I would prefer to bunk with them in the barracks.”

“As you wish,” Nox replied.

With a final low bow, Idrian turned to take his leave but halted in the entryway. He made an abrupt about-face, locking eyes with Nova. She shrank back slightly at the sudden movement and the intensity of his stare.

“You’ve been living abroad?” he asked.

“That’s right.” She pressed her shoulders back and lifted her chin, praying to the gods he wouldn’t prod for details about her supposed travels.

His eyes narrowed on her. “How fortunate that you’ve returned home,” he said after a beat.

“Indeed,” she replied, the word home conjuring images of Agnes and her cozy, firelit den in Timberfell for an instant.

“I hope our paths will cross again during my time here,” Idrian added. A ghost of a smile passed fleetingly over his austere features.

Nova blinked at the unexpected expression.

Perhaps there is more to the general than meets the eye.