The Shadows Between Us

by Tricia Levenseller

“I told you. You are no longer allowed to address me in that way, Lady Stathos.” The hurt is so deep, but so is the anger.

I could never, never wish Kallias any harm.

Oh, but I did love him.

I hate him. But I love him more.

And then Leandros—Xanthos—narrows his eyes at me.

then he slumps forward, tacked to the wall like some macabre tapestry. Dead. I turn to Kallias, find him watching me from the floor, his eyes going in and out of focus. Then I run for the guards.

Alone. Cast aside. Threatened with death by the man I love. Loved.

I was in my mother’s sitting room, because I tried to imagine a future where that room wouldn’t be yours, and I couldn’t.”

He lowers his head, brushes my lips with his. And we start our new life together. Never to be alone again.

“Did you hear that, Demodocus? She’s not even queen yet, but she’s already bossing us all around.” He turns to me. “And it seems you need reminding of my finer qualities, since you’ve forgotten to put them on paper.”

His eyes heat, but his mouth doesn’t seem to be capable of moving for the moment. “It’s your wedding present,” I add. “I’ve never been so excited about a piece of women’s clothing before.” “And rightly so. Almost the entire garment is made from a sheer fabric.” “Now you’re torturing me as you just did in your letter to your sister.”

In the end, I decide there’s enough time to be a little more wicked before starting off the day. After all, the king and future queen of Naxos have a reputation to uphold.