Virelya hesitated at the doorway.

  The dining room looked different. The candles threw long, uneasy shadows along the walls. Aethryn stood in front of the hearth, wine glass in hand, swirling tiny circles as if he were deep in thought.

  The dress made her feel exposed. Too thin. Too vulnerable. She preferred her leathers, they protected all the soft spots.

  Warmth began spreading up her arm from the rune, a tiny caress along her skin. Like Aethryn was running his fingers over it from the other side of the room.

  “I’ve been waiting, my little shadow,” he said softly into the fire.

  “I was getting ready,” she answered, stepping fully into the room.

  The doors closed behind her like the jaws of a trap.

  Aethryn turned to face her. “You look… lovely.” His voice was soft, caring. He crossed the room and twirled one of the loose curls near her face around his finger before letting his fingers trail down her neck to the leather ribbon at her nape.

  His gaze dropped to the ribbon. “I asked for your hair down.”

  “It was falling in my face…”

  Silence stretched between them as he ran the ribbon between his fingers. Virelya felt her heartbeat stutter.

  The corner of his mouth lifted slightly. He released her and turned toward the table set for two.

  “Sit with me, little blade. I’m sure you are hungry.”

  Aethryn took his usual seat at the head of the table; the chair to his right was set for her. The plates were polished so brightly they reflected the candlelight. Virelya ran her fingers over the edge before sitting.

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  He filled her glass with red wine so deep it reminded her of spilled blood.

  Roasted meat and root vegetables rested on one platter, warm bread on the other. The smells should have been delightful, yet her stomach twisted into knots.

  Everything was perfect. Almost intimate.

  It felt wrong.

  Aethryn placed food on his own plate, then hers. “Please enjoy. I made sure the meat was fresh to celebrate my lovely little shadow.”

  Virelya tried to swallow a sip of wine to ease her nerves, but her throat felt tight.

  Aethryn lifted his glass, watching her over the rim.

  “So tell me about your walk yesterday.”

  The rune warmed at her wrist, attentive, listening.

  She forced herself to take a bite of bread. It tasted like ash.

  “The inn was busy… he had friends… was liked… I had to wait.”

  Aethryn paused his fork over his plate. “Hmm. Being well liked does not make a man harmless.” He took his bite, eyes on her.

  “No, you’re right…it does not.”

  The edge in her voice surprised even her. She folded her hands in her lap to stop their trembling.

  He studied her the way one would a pulley that had begun to creak. The rune stirred slightly, still listening.

  “You returned looking rougher than normal.” He reached out, tracing a finger over her cheek, grey eyes almost loving. “Did he fight, my little shadow?”

  “No. He’s gone.”

  The rune sent one probing tingle up her arm before settling into warmth.

  “Such careful words, little one. Could be taken differently.”

  She tightened her grip on the fork and stared at her plate.

  The rune pulsed again, curious.

  “Tell me, little blade… how did you dispatch him?”

  Virelya nearly choked on her wine. Her mind spun, searching for a half truth.

  “I took him to the Lyrin.”

  The rune went sharp, testing.

  “Hmmm.” He cut another piece of meat with precision. “Convenient.”

  Silence filled the room, broken only by the fire and Aethryn’s chewing. The rune tightened at her wrist; her heartbeat was so loud she was sure he must hear it.

  At last he set his fork down. “I got something for you.”

  He produced a wooden box from his cloak and handed it to her. The wood was polished so smooth she could almost see herself in it.

  Inside lay a silver necklace, the charm an exact match to the rune on her wrist.

  “It’s… beautiful.”

  The rune spread a gentle, approving warmth up her arm.

  “I had it made especially for you, my shadow. For your years of loyalty.”

  Aethryn smiled, and for a moment she saw the man who had once pulled her from that alley.

  He touched her hand gently. Too calm, the small voice in her head warned.

  “A reminder, little blade, that you are cherished. Protected. That you are bound to something.” His thumb brushed the inside of her wrist.

  Cherished. Protected.

  Bound.

  The word settled like lead in her stomach.

  He slipped the necklace free and stepped behind her to fasten it. His fingers found the ribbon in her hair and tugged it loose, letting her curls fall.

  He placed the ribbon on the table beside her hand.

  “Next time, please listen. I only have your best interest in mind.”

  A light kiss touched the side of her head.

  “Go and rest. I added herbs to your cup to help you sleep.”

  Virelya felt as if she might be sick. She rose on shaky legs and left the room, closing the doors behind her.

  A shuddering breath escaped, then a shadow peeled from the wall.

  Kaida stood at the end of the hall, watching her, before turning and climbing the stairs without a word.