One Dark Window (The Shepherd King, #1)

by Rachel Gillig

Eleven years, and I’ve never told a soul.

“Elllspeth Spindle. Quite a mouthful.”

I know no one’s going to ask me what I want, the Nightmare said,

“Good. Now pick your jaw up off the floor and follow me.”

I bit my cheek, heat boiling up my neck into my face. “He keeps the rooms the way she made them, Nerium. That is why he refuses to let you remake Spindle House. He keeps them exactly as they were when she was alive. He orders irises for the parlor.” I clenched my jaw to keep the angry tears at bay. “I can’t say if he cares for me or not. But I am certain that, long after you and I are gone, when the house falls to ruin, only two things will remain at Spindle House. The spindle tree at the heart of the courtyard,” I said, my gaze unflinching, “and the whitebeam tree my father planted next to it the day my mother died.”

“Have you met my stepmother, Captain?” I whispered, the remnants of my anger distilled in a single tear that fell to my cheek. “Lovely woman.”

If

the Deck is united, will I truly be cured? Who says you need a cure? Be serious!

I gaped. Something you casually forgot to mention? For ELEVEN years? But I have mentioned it, my clueless little companion. His claws grated against his teeth. I cannot, however, be held responsible for your feeble comprehension.

“You weren’t in your room.” He gestured around the garden. “If I was trying to avoid someone, this is where I would go.”

one dark window

He must have felt me watching him, because when he raised his gaze to mine, light returned to his eyes, the elusive half smile tugging at his mouth.

Footsteps sounded. I fumbled at my latch, making far too much noise. I’d hardly stepped into my room and shut the door behind me when three sharp knocks rattled against the wood. The Nightmare sighed. You do make it hard for yourself, my dear.

I had not fit into anyone’s arms like that since childhood.

“So everyone except me and the magically disturbed woman?” “Disturbed?” the Nightmare and I called at once.

“Nothing. Never mind. See you at breakfast.”

It was Elm’s turn. “Trees, Ravyn, I don’t know.” He ran his hand over his brow. “Do you think I’m better looking than you?” The corner of Ravyn’s lip twitched. “Decidedly.”

“Are you still pretending?” I said, reveling in his gaze. Ravyn gave a surprised laugh and, in front of everyone, leaned in and kissed me. “I never was,” he whispered into my lips.

“Are you in love, Elspeth?” I felt as if I might die. For the first time in my life, I almost hated my cousin. I wondered how a Maiden Card fared against a knocked-in tooth.

“Be safe,” I whispered to the wind as Ravyn Yew disappeared beyond the gate. Had I known they’d be the last words I’d say to him aloud, I might have chosen them differently.