Shadows of Discovery by Brenda K. Davies
Chapter Sixty-Eight
“That shadow thing;I’ve never seen it happen before,” she said.
“Neither have I,” he murmured.
“So, it’s a new development?”
“Yes.”
“Is it because you’re king?”
“No, it’s because I survived the trials. When I did, the shadows became as much a part of me as I am them. With or without the crown, that wouldn’t change.”
“I never saw it happen to Father,” Orin said.
When Cole’s head swiveled toward him, Lexi considered Orin either extremely brave or incredibly foolish to speak at all. The brothers stared at each other before Cole spoke.
“Neither did I, but that doesn’t mean it never did. We also never saw Father in a rage.”
“No, we didn’t, but you came back different than him, and we both know it.”
Lexi bit her bottom lip as she waited for someone to say something, but neither did. “Is that true?” she finally asked.
Cole turned his attention back to her. “I think so.”
“But why?”
He shrugged as he tenderly ran his fingers over her hand. “I don’t know.”
“But you’re going to be okay?”
“I’ll be fine,” he assured her. “If I’m different, it’s because I’m more powerful and have newfound abilities.”
“Like shadows that can inflict damage on another?”
“Yes.”
“You have to keep that hidden.”
“I know.” He kissed her forehead. “Don’t worry about me, love.”
That was much easier said than done.
He focused on Orin again. “Do you care to explain why you hurt her?”
Orin slowly rose from his position on the floor. He approached the stove, turned off the flame, and lifted the towel sitting beside it. He studied Lexi as he wiped the blood away from his mouth and nose.
“Sometimes, the arach would get silver markings on them,” he said.
“So?” Cole asked.
“So, your mate had a silver marking on the back of her hand. Don’t you find that a little strange?”
Lexi studied her palm beneath the water before turning it over. The silver was gone. “The dragon must have had something on it that left a mark on me.”
There was no other explanation. At one time, the arach were the most powerful immortals in existence, but she couldn’t even create a portal, was physically weaker than most immortals, and had no discernible powers.
“You think she’s an arach?” Cole inquired.
“I’m not sure what I think,” Orin said.
“I’m not an arach,” Lexi said. “It’s said they could walk through a dragon’s fire, and I can’t withstand a tiny flame from the stove.”
“I see that,” Orin muttered.
A ticking against the window over the sink broke the ensuing silence. She and Cole stared at the curtain as the ticking paused for a few seconds before starting again.
“Did you send a letter to Niall?” Cole asked her.
“No, I never got the chance,” she said. “They returned for me before I could.”
Cole glanced over his shoulder at Orin. “Hide.”
Orin slipped into the hallway and, drawing the shadows around him, disappeared. Cole kept one hand on her wrist beneath the water as he pulled aside the curtain. A crow peered in at them from where it sat on the sill.
Cole undid the lock and pushed the window open a little. The crow dropped a small piece of paper, cawed loudly, and took flight. Cole retrieved the paper, closed the window, and set the note on the counter beside the sink.
He released her wrist, dried his hands on one of the towels hanging from the kitchen cabinets beneath the sink, and tugged the curtain into place. Orin returned to the kitchen as Cole opened the note.
“Shit!” Cole hissed a second later.
“What is it?” Lexi asked.
“It’s from Elvin. There’s been an uprising in the Gloaming. The king’s army is fighting to end it, but I have to return.”
Is it ever going to end?But she already knew the answer to that.
No.
As long as the Lord sat on the throne, it would never end.
“They’re testing their boundaries,” she whispered.
“And I’m going to make sure they learn what a giant mistake that is, but you have to come with me. I cannot fight this battle if you’re here where Malakai and the Lord can return for you.”
“You can’t take her to the Gloaming while it’s in upheaval; there are countless enemies there,” Orin said.
“Am I supposed to leave her here for you to protect?” Cole demanded. “In case you’ve forgotten, you’re the most hunted man in all the realms.”
“It’s safer here than in the Gloaming.”
“Not if she’s in the palace; it will protect her.”
“You’re kidding.” Orin snorted.
“I’m not,” Cole said. “It already has.”
Orin’s eyes narrowed on her. Lexi didn’t like the look in his eyes, and Cole must not have either, as he growled while stepping in front of her. The move drew Orin’s attention to him.
“You have to return to the tunnels and stay there,” he said.
“You don’t know who you can trust in the Gloaming, and you don’t have Brokk to watch your back,” Orin said.
“Are you offering to come back to help me fight this rebellion?”
“I would, but do you want the Lord to hear about me fighting at your side? That would sign both our death certificates. However, returning to fight this battle alone is a risky thing, Cole. Enemies with friendly faces will surround you.”