The Eternal Shadow by Shameez Patel Papathanasiou

Author:Shameez Patel Papathanasiou
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: gothic fantasy; flame tree press; fantasy; modern fantasy; epic fantasy; Hunger Games
Publisher: Flame Tree Publishing
Published: 2023-02-21T16:34:27+00:00

Chapter Twenty-One

Silence spread across the room and the only sound was that of the wind whistling outside the windows. Cassia was acutely aware of the rage emanating from Lucas as he stared at her, trying to make sense of her words. “I don’t mind,” she said, softly enough only for him to hear even though he wouldn’t understand it. What she did mind was that Lochlan sprung this on her, but she’d take that up with him privately.

“Cass,” Lucas said, shaking his head, “I don’t trust him.”

“That’s why it makes sense, isn’t it?” she said, and he closed his flashing eyes. “Plus, it’s temporary.” She pinched his hand underneath hers and he opened his dark eyes.

“You don’t know him like I do,” Lucas whispered.

“No, I don’t,” she replied, and saw the pain in his expression. He truly didn’t trust Lochlan, and that unsettled her. It was so rare that she and Lucas didn’t agree on someone. It was even rarer when he was the one with trust issues. But part of her still felt safe with Lochlan, or wanted to.

She lifted the towel off her palm; the blood kept flowing. “I’m going to bleed out.”

“You need to explicitly agree to this,” Lochlan said, that damned smile on his face again. “Or that one dies.” He gestured to Lucas, casually, who was anything but casual beside her.

“I agree to marry you to honor the blood pact, or whatever.” She rolled her eyes, and the wound sealed, replaced by a light scar. “Let’s get to it, then.” She held up her healed palm for everyone to see. Lucas sat brooding beside her and she knew that there was nothing she could say or do to make him think this was a good idea. Is it a good idea?

Rosheen didn’t seem to think so, and that left her feeling even more unsure. But what did it matter? Even if she wanted to back out now, it wouldn’t change anything. The deal was done.

“We’ll need both of you in clean clothing. I will need a new set of clothing too as I will officiate the marriage,” Rosheen said, her voice filled with apprehension.

Ardal smiled at Lucy and said, “We can arrange that.”

“What does the ceremony entail?” Cassia asked. She was too afraid to look at Lochlan, who had pulled himself up off the ground and now leaned against the wall, an amused look plastered over his face at everyone else’s discomfort.

He was enjoying this far too much.

“It’s easier explained as it’s done…” Rosheen said, and added with a grimace, “You will be required to kiss.”

Lochlan disappeared from her eyeline and appeared beside her. He leaned down to whisper, “Nothing we haven’t done before.” Lucas’s head snapped up as he heard it.

Cassia looked at Lochlan and mustered all the anger she could. “Stop being an asshole.”

“An asshole who’s soon to be your husband,” he said, and had they been alone, she might have found it amusing, but everyone was staring at them, waiting to see how she’d react.

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