Page 15 of A Bond So Deadly

~ Shade ~

Blake and her mates returned to Shadowbone Academy a short while ago, and we find them in one of the private dining rooms on the third floor. Our group sits at a long black table that’s wreathed in shadows, and candlelight from the chandelier creates flickering patterns over the assortment of meats, vegetables, and freshly baked breads arranged in front of us. My mates are positioned on either side of me, and my creature’s egg sits in its nest on the table by my glass of wine.

True to his word, Knox hadn’t let my creature’s egg out of his sight while I’d been away with Raith and Galen, and I smile, imagining Knox hovering over the egg like an overprotective father. It’s not until Blake clears her throat that I realize I’ve been staring at my mate and warmth rushes to my cheeks. The demon queen grins from the other side of the table, her mates seated on either side of her.

“I still can’t believe Shade is fated to these assholes,” Nate comments as he spears a chunk of meat with his fork and shoves it into his mouth. He’s seated opposite Raith, and his slitted cat eyes observe my shadow mate with keen interest. The pair stare at each other, sizing one another up, and I grin. Yep. They’re going to be best friends in no time. Or you know, enemies. I guess we’ll see.

Dante leans back in his chair as he scans my mates, his gaze lingering on Galen who sits opposite him. “Oh, I don’t know,” the demon teases. “I knew there was a reason our girl wasn’t contacting us. Seeing these four, I can understand her distraction.”

Knox clenches his jaw. “Your girl?” His voice is icy as he tightens his grip on his glass of wine.

Blake lets out an exasperated sigh. “Relax, will you? These men are mine.” As she says it, she lifts from her chair and plops onto Mason’s lap, casually leaning back against the broad chest of her centaur shifter. Mason automatically slides his hands over her body, and he begins pressing kisses to the side of her neck like he’d just been waiting for the opportunity.

“Always, my beloved,” he murmurs between kisses.

Swoon. Yep. That’s what I want. Pure devotion. I wiggle my brows at my mates as if to say, that’s how it’s done boys, but they ignore me and continue glaring at Blake’s men. Unbelievable.

“Think of it like this,” I say, trying to help break the tension. “They’re more like overprotective friends,” I explain, grinning at Blake and Mason. “Or you know, big brothers.”

“Exactly,” Alaric rasps, lifting his fork and stabbing a purple carrot on his plate so hard I’m surprised the ceramic doesn’t crack. “Brothers who will destroy you if you so much as hurt a single hair on Shade’s head.” The man says it like he’s dead serious, and I have to fight hard to smother my smile.

I’m aware that if I told Blake’s mates about everything I’d already been through here at the academy, there would possibly be a brawl, but then again, Blake’s mates weren’t exactly boy scouts when my friend met them. I wonder if I should point out how Alaric had been an assassin ordered to kill Blake, and how tense things had been between them in the beginning, but I think better of it.

Raith gives Alaric an unhinged smile. “I’d like to see you try.”

“Oh, you mean you want us to kick your asses again?” Dante says with a wicked grin.

Rolling her eyes, Blake rubs her temples as if she’s getting a headache. “Can you guys be done comparing cocks already, so we can talk about what really matters?” She turns her gaze to me and lifts an accusatory finger. “Like the fact you should have called us ages ago.”

Ah. Yeah, about that. I give her a sheepish smile. “I told you, it was too risky for me to use my portal ring. Besides, I didn’t even think it would work within the academy barrier.”

“Okay, so what was your plan, exactly?” She reaches forward while Mason continues kissing her, and she pops a piece of gray fruit into her mouth before giving one to her mate. Mason pauses his kisses to eat it, and juice runs onto his lips. “Let me guess, you were trying to keep your fated mate connection a secret from the shadow queen for as long as possible?” Blake theorizes. “And lo and behold, she found out anyway.” My friend turns her deadpan look on my mates, as if they’re the ones responsible. Which makes sense because they kind of are. I mean, they’re the ones who kidnapped me from the library in the first place.

Still, when Blake looks back my way I give her my best innocent expression. “Seemed like a good plan at the time,” I chirp.

Raith scratches his neck and curls his arm around the back of my chair. Ignoring Blake’s incredulous look, I turn my attention to the ridiculously large piece of cake I’ve conjured. After everything we’ve been through, I think it’s safe to say I deserve this. A part of me sees the irony in what has happened. If I’d simply hidden in the academy instead of attending the games, I’d be in a similar situation as I am now, trapped at Shadowbone. But then I’m not sure if I would have ever gained my memories back as I did. Plus, something tells me if Blake hunted me down, Queen Krosia also still would’ve found out I was alive and fated to Thane and the others. I tell myself that even though I’m trapped here, it was the best outcome. I mean, it’s not like I would last on a battlefield.

At the thought of being trapped, my gaze lifts to where Elgen and Tarlaz are watching us from the ceiling. The shadows didn’t say much when I explained all that happened, but I can’t help but feel guilty. They’d hoped I’d gain an audience with the queen and ask for their freedom from this place, but now, I doubt the shadow queen would ever want to grant me anything.

“Sorry again,” I send to them in my mind. “I let you down.”

“Oh hush,” Tarlaz says, brushing off my comment. “You’re in one piece, child, and that is enough for now. We’ve been here for centuries and can wait longer. There will be other opportunities. Now, hurry up and tell us what it tastes like.”

I grin, stuffing a forkful of cake into my mouth. The tiramisu cake had been Tarlaz’s request, and I was happy to oblige. Honestly, I feel so guilty the shadows could probably ask me for anything, and I would try it.

Focusing on the flavors in my mouth I answer, “Mmm it’s creamy and rich and…there’s like this bold espresso flavor with cocoa and a hint of rum. It’s a little bitter, and I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite, but it’s still pretty good.” A burst of sweetness hits my tongue at the end, and I moan. “Actually, it’s very good. Oh and it’s so soft, too.”

Tarlaz groans, licking his lips exaggeratedly like he can taste it as well.

“Yes, yes, that sounds delicious,” Elgen grumbles impatiently. “But now conjure up a red velvet. I’ve always wondered what that would taste like.”

Setting aside the tiramisu, I go about conjuring up the dish as per Elgen’s request, ignoring the strange looks from Blake and her mates. No doubt, they’re wondering why I’m not eating the other food on the table, but I’m not about to blurt that I’m simply following the wishes of my two shadow friends. My mates are probably wondering the same thing, though they’re used to me trying different dishes by now. I still haven’t told anyone about how I can speak to Elgen and Tarlaz, and given everything that’s happened recently, I decide now isn’t the time.

After describing the next cake to Elgen in detail, I return my focus to my demon queen bestie. She looks completely relaxed, but every so often her fingers stray to the enchanted dagger on her hip, like she’s reassuring herself that it’s there. I know my friend well enough to see that this whole situation is really troubling her.

“I hate that you made a deal with the shadow queen,” I say abruptly.

Frowning, Blake swallows her mouthful. “Well, I don’t. You know you’re my ride or die, girl. And if this is what it takes to keep you safe...”