Page 62 of Sun, Moon & Shadow

“Come now, Nova. Don’t be so modest,” Lucan teased, sinking into the seat beside hers. “You would have been so proud, my Lord. She nearly gutted me.” Lucan grinned, showing off his pearly white fangs.

Nox arched an eyebrow. “I can’t imagine why.”

Lucan set to work cleaning his fingernails with his dagger, and Nova breathed a silent sigh of relief that he’d omitted the part about her outburst.

A knock sounded at the door with a servant announcing a visitor. “General Idrian has arrived, my Lord.”

“A bit earlier than expected,” Nox sighed, pushing his chair back and walking around to the front of his desk. “Please show him in.”

Lucan rose from his seat as the general entered. Nova remained seated but twisted in her chair, her eyes landing first on a pair of black leather boots, hitting just below the knee and buffed to a shine. Her gaze traveled upward over finely tailored black breeches and a meticulously pressed tunic to match, before finally settling on the general’s face.

His black hair was cut close on the sides but kept longer and combed back at the crown. A thin streak of silver mixed with the strands above his left eye. Full brows crowned his slate-gray eyes, and his mouth formed a serious line above a deep cleft in his chin.

“My Lord,” the general said, bowing low while his spine remained as straight as an arrow.

“General Idrian. Welcome back to the Silvergard Estate. It’s been many years, hasn’t it?”

“Indeed, it has.”

Nox leaned casually against his desk while the general maintained a soldier’s posture.

“You remember Commander Lucan, the head of my guard?”

“Yes, of course.” Idrian nodded politely in Lucan’s direction before taking notice of Nova, peeking out like a child from behind the wing of the chair.

“Allow me to introduce Nova.” Nox held out his hand, and she took it, rising to stand beside him. “Nova is a relative visiting the capital after many years spent abroad.”

Nova didn’t flinch at her uncle’s practiced evasion to explain her presence at the Estate. He was always very careful to avoid revealing the truth of her paternity to anyone. She smiled faintly, more than happy to play along. She’d never had a knack for lying, even in the Human Realm, but she’d certainly been learning the fine art of dancing around the truth since arriving in Silvergard.

“Pleased to meet you,” she said, making a quick curtsy.

“Likewise,” Idrian replied, bowing his head briefly.

“I’m afraid I won’t be able to meet until tomorrow, General.” Nox held his hands out at his sides apologetically. “But please, make yourself at home while you’re here. I’ve had my staff prepare a chamber for you.”

“You are very generous, my Lord. But I’ve come with twenty of my best soldiers, and I would prefer to bunk with them in the barracks.”

“As you wish,” Nox replied.

With a final low bow, Idrian turned to take his leave but halted in the entryway. He made an abrupt about-face, locking eyes with Nova. She shrank back slightly at the sudden movement and the intensity of his stare.

“You’ve been living abroad?” he asked.

“That’s right.” She pressed her shoulders back and lifted her chin, praying to the gods he wouldn’t prod for details about her supposed travels.

His eyes narrowed on her. “How fortunate that you’ve returned home,” he said after a beat.

“Indeed,” she replied, the word home conjuring images of Agnes and her cozy, firelit den in Timberfell for an instant.

“I hope our paths will cross again during my time here,” Idrian added. A ghost of a smile passed fleetingly over his austere features.

Nova blinked at the unexpected expression.

Perhaps there is more to the general than meets the eye.

Twenty-Nine

The feud was over livestock. Or was it property lines? Callan couldn’t recall and, honestly, didn’t care either way. His agreement with Thorn obligated him to attend Assembly held in the Great Hall. But while Callan’s attendance was required, his participation—gods be praised—was not. Each appeal bled into the next, continuing on with mind-numbing monotony, until he found himself weighing whether dozing off for a bit was worth the reprimand he’d surely receive from his uncle. He decided it probably was not.