Kaida continued in front of Virelya making her way up the steps of the keep and through the front door. The sky had turned a shade of gray that promised the night would not be kind and small ice pellets began to hit Virelya’s cheeks as she looked up at it. The clouds seemed to match pace with her hammering heart. She tried to take a breath to ease the grip an invisible hand had on her lungs.

  Kaida stopped at the door holding it open, noticing for the first time that Virelya was not on her heels. She cocked her head to the side just slightly, confusion crossed her features.

  “You are unhappy?” She asked.

  Virelya pulled her eyes from the sky that matched the growing storm within her and met Kaida’s eyes. She turned her stare to steel.

  “I hate winter.” She answered dryly.

  Kaida held her stare for a moment. Silence spread between them as the wind picked up the lantern flames at the keep entrance flicked light across Kaida’s face. Considering. Virelya couldn’t read what she decided before she masked her expression with a wide grin.

  “Master Aethryn is going to be so pleased.” Kaida almost purred the words.

  Virelya looked at the sky one last time. Is he? The thought crossed her mind of its own free will and she waited for the tightness at her wrist, warning for thoughts she had no business carrying. The rune laid quiet. Too quiet. She felt her heart beat quicken again as she entered the door and Kaida pulled it closed with a latch that sounded far too final.

  She could hear Kaida’s boots on the stones behind her, light and eager. The young girl moved with energy that Virelya remembered having. When had that energy left? When had she become this shell?

  “You were flawless.” Kaida said as if unable to hold it in. The words tumbled out of her.

  Virelya didn’t respond, continuing to make her way down the hall that would lead to the stairs to their rooms. Her fingers bit into her palms so sharply beneath her cloak she would have marks.

  “I have never seen someone move that way. He didn’t even have time to escape.” The admiration in Kaida’s voice was like a stab to the chest.

  Faintly the rune warmed.

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  “You didn’t even hesitate.”

  Virelya’s foot fell reaching for a step that wasn’t there, landing heavily like her stomach that had just plummeted back to the entrance hall.

  If Kaida noticed she didn’t lead on, she danced around Virelya so that she stood in front of her on the landing. “That’s why you are his favorite.”

  The word hit Virelya like a physical blow.

  “He chose you,” Kaida continued. “Shaped you from nothing into his favorite shadow.”

  Virelya’s whole body tightened. She knew the story. The rune gave a lazy caress up her arm, the warmth that used to be reassuring felt like talons under her skin.

  “He saved you.” Kaida said, turning to face Virelya fully. Her bright green eyes nearly danced in the dim torchlight.

  Another caress of warmth spread up her arm, stronger this time. Urging.

  Kaida held Virelya’s stare, the youth in her face so strong. “I hope one day, I can be chosen to. A favorite. Loved.”

  Virelya’s heart stopped.

  Loved.

  Saved.

  Protected.

  The rune sent waves of warmth up her arm. Approval. Reminding her, yes that is what you are.

  Kaida walked away leaving Virelya at her own door. She watched as the girls figure disappeared down the hall. She barely made it to the bathing chamber of her own room before she was sick.

  She stayed on her knees long after she had emptied her stomach. Her hands braced against the cool stone beside the bucket.

  Her body trembled. The rune remained warm at her wrist. Approval.

  Her stomach twisted again. But she had nothing left to give it and a soft sob escaped her lips.

  A soft knock came at her door.

  Not the timid knock of a servant and not Kaida’s impatience.

  The knock was calm. Confident.

  Virelya froze.

  She heard the door opening and hurried to push herself to her feet, wiping her mouth on the back of her hand as she did.

  She managed to lean herself against the wall just as Aethryn fully entered the room, closing the door softly behind him.

  His gray eyes moved over her, taking in everything. The flush of her cheeks. The tremor in her hands. The damp curls stuck to her temples. He missed nothing.

  Concern softened his expression and he stepped closer to her.

  “My shadow,” his voice was gentle. “You don’t look well.”

  The rune pulsed at her wrist.

  “I’m fine.” She lowered her gaze to her hands.

  Aethryn stepped closer, brushing a curl from her cheek before running his hand down to cup her face gently tilting it up to meet his eyes again.

  “ You pushed yourself today.”

  Not a question.

  She nodded weakly. The rune warmed, urging her to lean into Aethryn’s touch. She held her face where it was.

  Aethryn smiled softly at her. “I am very proud of you, my little shadow.” He brushed his fingers over her cheek and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

  “Rest now, you have done so much of what I asked today.” He brushed the backs of his fingers over her cheek one last time before turning and leaving without another word.

  The door clicked shut behind him and Virelya slid down the stone wall to sit on the floor.

  Warmth spread up from the tattoo at her wrist, enveloping her chest before spreading through her entire body.

  Comfort.

  Love.

  Chains.