Shadow Ruin (Shadow Fall Book 3) by Audrey Grey

Author:Audrey Grey [Grey, Audrey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Starfall Press LLC
Published: 2020-05-24T20:00:00+00:00

Twenty-Two

The war room inside Laevus Castle is cavernous, a high-ceilinged monstrosity in desperate need of windows to lighten the dark room. I cringe at the head of a tusked boar just above the door. Game of every kind, probably hunted from the surrounding woods, line the rafters, and giant leather maps decorate the walls.

Two fireplaces yawn on either side, gold phoenixes cresting the mantles. If most war rooms are meant to look opposing, this one was made to impress with its sheer opulence and wealth.

My mother’s ivory cape slithers across the floor, the hem darkened with soil and what I assume is blood. She waves a hand and the torches on the chandeliers and walls erupt, casting the room in tangerine light.

An oval table spans the length of two carriages in the middle of the room. The banners of all the houses hang above it.

Strange, to be in this room where the Emperor once plotted the deaths of so many. Stranger still how comfortable my mother looks in it. Like she’s been here a thousand times.

Lash strides in wearing a flashy doublet and loose tunic over shiny gold pants. He glares at me. “One word about my outfit and I’ll murder you.”

“Who’s getting murdered?” Teagan says as she breezes in. Her gaze snags on Lash’s outfit. “Wow, Lash. You’re so . . . sparkly.”

“Aster!” Lash raises his russet eyebrows in warning.

My mother gives us all a look, and we settle around the table. I take the head seat just as Flame and the others arrive. After what happened with Caspian, I haven’t talked to Riser, and I switch between wanting to meet his eye and assess what he saw and wanting to avoid him altogether.

Riser makes the decision for me by ignoring everyone as he takes his seat on the other side, next to Flame. Sour by nature, it’s weird to see Flame beaming, her face brightened by hope. Finding Cage did that.

I don’t outright dare to hope for the same outcome for Max, instead keeping the possibility hidden, a tiny dancing spark of promise. A weapon. Ready to wield when the moment is right.

Adding insult to injury, Bramble scurries from my shoulder, scuttles across the table, and leaps into Riser’s lap. Forcing my focus on the others, I watch Flame and Teagan whisper for a moment, their heads pressed conspiratorially together, before risking a glance at Caspian.

Just like Riser, he seems intent on hiding his emotions behind a tight, closed-off mask. His lips are tight, his brow furrowed so that his golden eyebrows nearly meet.

Sensing my focus, his gaze brushes mine, lingering for a too-long moment before looking away.

I stifle a groan. Why did you let him kiss you, genius?

My mother finally takes the last seat next to me at the table. Thanks to the Emperor’s food stores, we have much better food than the last meeting—oranges, pears, buttery crackers that melt in my mouth, and thick slices of cured ham. Bramble has already started depositing the feast from

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