Page 32 of How to Claim A Shadow King

He gives me a soft smile, as though my words have truly encouraged him. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not.

"Your coven has been speaking to me all morning." His eyes glance to the side, towards the window overlooking the deep green boughs of the forest we fled through last night. "They say that I am to court you if I want your affection."

"Court me?" I repeat, somewhat thrown. "I've already agreed to be your wife."

"So you say." He takes a few steps forward and sits down at the edge of the bed. It creaks underneath his weight, and shadows flicker out from his ankles, writhing before they disappear beneath the bed.

"We may be betrothed," he says, "but you are clearly not comfortable with me, or you would not have run away last night. And it is my fault that you chose to do so. I have not been a good fiancé, nor, I fear, have I even been a good host."

I blink, completely taken aback.

"You look upset," he says, stopping short.

"Do I?" I ask.

He just waits for me to say more.

"Well, I am not upset," I clarify. "I am surprised."

He reaches out his hand as though he is going to take mine in his own, but something in my face must stop him, because it falls to the bed without ever touching mine.

"I must teach you how to wield your magic appropriately, Aveline. As for the rest..."

"You mean our marriage?" I prod, and then, feeling unkind, I offer him a slight smile.

He stares at me, a bewildered expression playing across his face.

"Quite right," he says. "Our marriage, and that of my brothers," he clarifies, looking back towards the door. An awkward silence falls and I let it sit between us as he collects his thoughts. "We are betrothed to the three witches of this powerful bloodline of the Wild Oak Woods. Things have greatly changed since I last walked this land, this plane, and I fear that I may need your assistance to guide our relationship." Shadows swirl around his hands, and it's then I realize he's incredibly uncomfortable.

"Right," I say, strangely touched by his awkwardness and by his pronouncements.

"I would like to do right by you," he adds hurriedly, like he's afraid I'm going to turn him down, but I'm not sure how to do so.

"I am now and evermore..." He hangs his head slightly, looking for all the world like a chastised child. "...yours to command."

I'm taken aback completely by this.

For one, it's much too early to pronounce I command him, but for two, I can't deny that I very much like the change wrought in him. It’s much better to be the one doing the commanding than receiving said commands. Gone is the overbearing Elder God from yesterday who demanded I mate with him.

I stare at him for a long moment, trying to collect myself before I speak. The last thing I want to do is ruin the sweet moment that he's created for us.

Or, more importantly, have him second guess letting me lead.

"I appreciate that," I say slowly, taking a deep breath before I speak again, trying to choose my words. "And it means much to me that you would take the time to speak to the other women." I almost say witches, but I catch myself on the W at the last moment, still not quite sure about how that label pertains to me. "And I am willing to try," I tell him awkwardly.

A slow smile turns up one corner of his mouth. The effect on his features is immediate, making him look roguish and young. "That means the worlds to me, Aveline," he says, his voice husky.

I swallow, unsure what to do with this new version of this man. My cheeks heat as he continues to stare at me, his dark gaze dropping from my eyes to my cheeks and lingering at my lips.

"I need to get dressed for the day," I tell him as brightly as I can manage, breaking whatever spell has begun to spin between us. "I need new clothes, though."

"Right," he says awkwardly, standing up. "Well, yes. Your coven did have fresh clothes for you. They're not as fine as—as what you have here, but they will do for our journey today."

"Our journey?" I repeat, perking up. I might have traveled for the last week to get here, but there's nothing I love more than exploring a new place. "Where are we going?"

"I thought you might enjoy a day exploring the Wild Oak Woods. The town, I mean," he amends, looking slightly bemused at my question. "Where else would we go?" he asks. "Was there somewhere else you wanted to go?" he tacks on, looking hopeful.

"No, the Wild Oak Woods. I—I didn't have much of a chance yesterday to..." My face falls immediately at the words, and I realize I've made things awkward.