A Walk Amongst Shadows (Book 2)

One Year Ago

We walked that final day until the sun had gone down. We happened upon a building Aris called an Inn. I was familiar with the concept of establishments built for housing weary travelers, but we never had a need for such places in Wren’s Glen. I was surprised at how much the inn looked like home. Its architecture even resembled some of the nicer homes in the village. Through the windows, I saw the silhouettes of people milling about from the glow of lantern light. I looked excitedly at Aris, this was the first sign of civilization we had seen since leaving Wren’s Glen.

“Are we staying there tonight?” I asked eagerly, once I realized what I was looking at.

Aris looked uneasy. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

“Why?” I was perplexed. I had slept very little since leaving the village and desperately wanted to sleep in a proper bed again.

“Do you remember when I told you about shadow walkers not being well received by mortals?”

I nodded. “Yeah, but, so what? They’re not going to turn us away because of that are they?”

“No, I doubt that very much,” he answered vaguely.

“So, then let’s go,” I smiled.

“Ok, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He sighed disdainfully. I rolled my eyes. He was being dramatic, he had to be. I could barely contain my excitement as I approached the large wooden door. Aris opened it for me, allowing me to enter before him. I was surprised to see that it wasn’t just an inn, but a pub. A few people were sitting along a bar sipping drinks from large mugs. I also saw a smattering of small round tables occupied by patrons eating food. I felt my stomach growl at the scent of freshly baked bread. I saw a heavy-set woman with wild curly hair wave to greet me as she made her way over from behind the bar. I marveled at the moment. This is the first person I have ever met, not from my village.

“How can I help ya, dear?” she asked kindly.

“Yes, I was wondering if you had a room available for the night?” I asked, nervously. I don’t know why I was anxious, it’s not as if she was going to hand me back to the village Elders. She nodded and then froze as the door swung shut and Aris joined me at my side. I watched her eyes grow wide with horror. She held out her hands in front of her in mock defense, much as I had done the first time I had met him.

“Please,” she begged, “I don’t want any trouble. I don’t know who sent ya here but I assure ya, ya’ve got the wrong place.” There was silence. As I surveyed the room, I saw that the handful of people who were in the pub were all staring at us. Aris seemed to pay them no mind. He ignored my gaze as well as he addressed the woman.

“As the lady said, one room please,” he reiterated.

The woman looked at me, concern and disbelief etched across her weathered face. She held up a shaky hand and pointed towards the staircase.

“Up and to yer right, first door, stay as long as ya please.”

“Thank you,” Aris replied politely, nodding towards her.

The woman scurried away like a frightened mouse. Aris turned quickly towards the stairs, still not acknowledging me. I followed him. As we left the room, I felt the eyes of every patron upon us. It was unsettling. It wasn’t until the door closed behind us that Aris turned and looked at me. His face was deadpan, he didn’t need to say a word for me to understand exactly what he was thinking.

“Is it always like that?” I asked.

He nodded, smiling a bit as he did so. “No need to look so sorry for me, I’ve grown accustomed to it over the years.”

“Will it be like this in the royal city?” I asked.

“On an average day, yes. It’ll be exactly like that. If I’m lucky, I get ignored which will happen from time to time,” he grinned.

“Ah, to be ignored,” I mused as I flopped onto the bed. It was old and worn and smelled a bit musty, but, to me, I might as well have been resting on a cloud.

Aris looked down at me and shook his head.

“Come,” I said, thumping the empty space beside me with my hand. “Lay down. It’s so comfortable.” Aris followed suit, only much more elegantly than I had done. We laid side by side looking up at the ceiling.

“You’re right, it does feel nice to lay down in a proper bed.” I felt him relax ever so slightly, “Are you going to be okay being treated like this in the city tomorrow? Because if not, I don’t have to go with you.”

I shot up on the bed and looked at him. “Why on earth would I not want you with me?”

He sat up slowly. “It’s just a lot to ask of someone. This is going to be your chance to start fresh. I’d hate to mar the first impression you make on the citizens.”

“I honestly couldn’t care less about what a bunch of strangers in that city think of me. None of them came up the mountain for me. What do I need to impress them for?”

“Just understand that you will get a lot of reactions like what you received just now. I honestly don’t know which they find more troubling, me or the fact that I have you with me.”

“Why is having me with you more upsetting?” I inquired.

“Mortals and shadow walkers don’t associate, especially not in public. When they do, there are really only a few reasons as to why.”

“And they are?” I prompted.

“There has either been some sort of pact made between the two or…” he faltered.

“Or what?” I prodded.

“Or there is something more lascivious going on.” He chose his words carefully. I smiled.

“So the woman downstairs is thinking that I’ve either made a deal with a demon or I’m some sort of fetishist?” I laughed in spite of myself. “No wonder she looked so concerned when you walked up behind me.”

Aris laughed too, brightening his handsome face as he did. It was hard for me to remember a time when I found him frightening even though it really hadn’t been that long ago.

“Where will we go once we get to the city?” I asked.

“Wherever you’d like.”

I raised my eyebrows. I had no idea what I wanted or even what my options were.

My expression must’ve given my thoughts away because Aris replied, “I figured I’d start you off with something familiar, the royal apothecary perhaps? Or maybe the library.”

My heart rate quickened. I couldn’t even begin to imagine the sorts of knowledge contained in such a place. “That sounds amazing!” I squealed, sounding an awful lot like Marcy.

“I thought it might make you happy,” he added.

I grinned. “How much bigger is the royal library than the one in Wren’s Glen?”

“You wouldn’t believe me even if I told you,” he said with a grin.

I clasped my hands together imagining a mansion full of books. “There’s no way I’m going to be able to sleep tonight.”

“Speaking of…” Aris cut in changing the topic. “I don’t want to overstay my welcome. Once you’re all set for the night, I’ll give you your privacy if you wish.”

I furrowed my brow. “Wait, you’re not staying here with me?”

We had spent every night over the past few weeks together in the wilds. But there was something much more intimate about sharing a bed. I suppose I understood his hesitancy, but I loathed the idea of sleeping alone in such a strange place. If I was being honest with myself, I hated the idea of being apart from Aris even more.

“Would you prefer I stay?” he asked warmly.

I looked down and nodded, unsure as to why I suddenly felt so flustered.

“Relax,” he said, laying back down, putting his arms behind his head. “It’s not as though I don’t want to.”

I scoffed as I kicked my shoes off and slid under the covers, not bothering to undress first. “Why even ask me then?” I asked, laying on my side to face him.

“Just wanted to see what you’d say.” He looked thoughtfully at me and hesitated.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“I don’t want you to feel…stuck with me,” he started, “I’m more than happy to help you get set up on your own and-”

I leaned over, placing my hand on the side of his face, and kissed him on the lips, effectively cutting him off from his train of thought.

“I don’t want to be anywhere in that city without you,” I said softly as I laid back down on my side.

Aris smiled at me, but his eyes were sad. “I don’t think you understand just how poorly we’re going to be received when we arrive tomorrow.” He sighed. “It’s not fair to you…” he trailed off.

“What’s unfair is taking the only person I have in this world away from me,” I stated confidently. “Aris, I have no idea what I’m doing. I’ve been so focused on getting out of my-, the village and now that has happened…I mean I don’t even have a framework for what comes next and to think of trying to figure it all out on my own…” I felt my chest tightening just thinking about it.

“Relax,” he soothed, brushing loose strands of hair behind my ear. “You know I’d never abandon you like that. Just don’t ever feel like you have to stay, your life is your own now.” He leaned in and kissed my forehead then pulled me in closer to him. I rested my head on his chest and our conversation drifted to happier topics. I slept soundly that night.