The Shadows Between Us

by Tricia Levenseller

They’ve never found the body of the first and only boy who broke my heart. And they never will.

DANG okay, starting off strong.

“You make it difficult for me to find you a suitable match when you’re caught with a new bedfellow every night.”

Oh come on dad, let the girl have her fun.

For once the marriage is official and consummated? I will kill the Shadow King and take his kingdom for myself.

The point is to stand out, Father. Not blend in.”

“Is it the dancing you like? Or are you merely looking to show off your”—he darts a quick look down to my legs—“dress?”

is the shadow king a sass master??? he better be

Hektor’s death was messy, disgusting, so very difficult to hide and clean up. I’m reluctant to stab anyone ever again. Poison is a much cleaner way to kill, and it will prove much easier. Not to mention, it’s nigh impossible to root out the poisoner.

There’s a dog panting before me. At least I think it’s a dog. It also has a startling likeness to a bear. In both size and color.

hello there, little friend

Today he has his hair brushed back from his forehead, and I can’t begin to guess what sorcery manages to hold the strands in place with such volume. He wears a long-sleeved black dress shirt, matching gloves, a waistcoat of deep blue brocade, and a black cravat.

“Good boy, Demodocus,”

a fitting name for the pupper, i think

I want to slap him. I want to kiss him. I want to throw the rest of my cake in his face as much as I want to finish off the delicious dessert.

A faint smile still lingers on his lips. “My name is Kallias. Kallias Maheras.”

an interesting name indeed...i like it

Not so beautiful as to tempt me.

I do not like this man.

as well you shouldn't, he's an arrogant prick and he deserves to be punched in the jugular.

Kallias, who stood at my entrance, says, “You kept him waiting. Belly rubs are the price you must pay.”

one must pay the price for keeping such a good boy waiting

I handled Hektor as I have handled everything else in my life: alone and with the utmost thoroughness.

I take a sip of my juice before saying, “You were in my bedchamber last night. Is that room only to be reserved for when you feel like yelling?”

Notes and coins trade hands in a flurry, and the winner leans over to plant a bloody kiss on my cheek. I’m too high off the victory to care.

“Only the matches between the men.”

the women get to fight too????? YES

“Call me the Shadow Queen.”

FUCK YES AL, GET HER ASS

“I’m not a doll that you can dress up and leave alone until you’re ready to play with me, Kallias. I’m a person. And if you can’t respect that, I’ll pack my things and leave tomorrow.”

“I don’t wear this sword just for looks,” he adds. “I do know how to use it. Rest assured, the only dangerous thing out here is me.” “And should I fear you?” I ask. “Never.”

“Have you ever been in love?” “No,” he says. “Not ever. What’s it like?” “Horrible.”

“I believe you now,” I say. “You do know how to use that sword.”

“Friends don’t let friends go to gentleman’s clubs alone when someone is trying to kill them.”

No one is killing my king tonight.

“I think that when you care enough for someone, you reach a point where it’s far more painful not to have him at all than to have him and risk losing him. You realize the risk is worth it. Because happiness, however short-lived, is always worth it.”

“I want a life with you, Alessandra, one without the shadows between us.

“There is nothing silly about waiting until you want to. Don’t let anyone ever tell you otherwise. It is your body to do with as you will.”

Waiting. Not waiting. One lover. A hundred lovers. There should be no judgment either way. A woman is not defined by what she does or doesn’t do in the bedroom.

“I’m not a trollop,” I announce to the empty room. “I’m a sexually empowered woman, and there is nothing wrong with that.”