I slapped my hands on the table. “You’re a god. You’ll just move on when I die, anyway. Might as well start now. Go ahead. Don’t run. Don’t stay. Just turn yourself in and get it over with.” I regretted the words as soon as they passed my lips, but I couldn't’ take them back.
I snapped my mouth shut.
His face pinched, and then smoothed into something unreadable.
I hated it—the effortless switch up. The mask he was able to so thoroughly slip on.
And that’s when the bell tolled, signaling the arrival of the king’s men.
He stood without another word and slipped out the front door, leaving not a speck of shadow behind.
CHAPTER 47
Shade
Ireally hated spectacles.
It was all rather dramatic, the way the king’s men marched in as though they were going to battle.
They were, I supposed.
This was the most action the realm had seen in hundreds of years. Thousands, maybe.
I considered how easy it would be to take them out. To snuff the flames of their lives out with my shadows. It would be as though they never existed at all.
I tucked my hands behind my back and curled my fingers into fists.
Not today.
Ten knights on horseback marched through the Barren Lands. They were armored from toe to skull, not an inch of flesh left exposed.
They didn’t know that their armor would be no match for my shadows.
I curled my fists even tighter. My blunt fingernails bit into my palms in a welcome distraction.
I squashed the urge to kill.
I rooted myself in place. If they wanted me to come with them, they would have to take me themselves.
I noted there wasn’t an extra horse, or even a carriage. How did they plan on transporting me?
Dead, sprawled across the back of a horse, most likely.
It seemed the entire town was emerging to witness the ordeal. Folk gathered in clusters, peeked around corners, stared blatantly.
They chattered, whispered amongst themselves, but I didn’t bother to listen. It didn’t matter what they had to say.
Tommins was the only one to approach.
He stepped up beside me, briefly meeting my gaze.
To my surprise, his expression was pained, his brows furrowed.
He planted himself beside me, mimicking my tense posture, tucking his hands behind his back as well.
He didn’t know I was containing my shadows, but I didn't mention it. I appreciated the strange gesture of solidarity, no matter how small.
One horse stepped in front of the others. It was large, grey, adorned in armor across its neck and haunches.
