Trial For The Shadow King (Captive 0f Shadows Book 2) Read online

  Trial for The Shadow King

  Captive of Shadows

  Bailey Dark

  Copyright © 2019 by Bailey Dark

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Ready for Book 3?

  About the Author

  FREE Preview - Stolen by the Fae King

  Subscribe & Claim Your Free Book!

  Chapter 1

  Kane

  The red, heady glow of the ever-setting sun filters through the windows into my office. I stare intently at the wood grains in my desk, tracing them with black eyes. Fingers laced and propped over my mouth I exhale through my nose. My breath flutters at the pages of work on my desk, but the sound hardly registers. I can hear blood pumping in my ears, like the steady rhythm of a war drum. It isn't mine. I tap my foot irritably as I try to control the waves of emotions and physical sensations pouring into me from Briar. She's flooded with adrenaline, and now so am I.

  I grind my teeth, boring holes into my desk as I glower at it. It’s only been two days since I accidentally created a soul bond between Briar and me. Blocking it has only been marginally successful. It seems that when Briar feels heightened emotions, the walls I have to continually rebuild between us come crumbling down. I dig my heels into the wooden floor as a wave of adrenaline hits me again. I have to steady myself to avoid reeling backward with the force of it.

  “Damn it,” I growl. “What is she doing?”

  I rise, scowling, and stalk towards the door. My limbs tingle with energy, growing more powerful as I near her. I follow the soulbond through the halls to one of the upper floors I rarely visit. I can hear Briar panting as I grow closer, the sound of her breath echoing in my ears as if she were right beside me. A shiver trails down my spine as I imagine what it must be like to feel her hot breath on my ear. Focus, I snap at myself. With the soul bond, the desire I felt for her before has only grown stronger. I have access to her needs and desires all the time now, and even her true feelings which she so carefully hides. I stop outside the door and consider knocking before rolling my eyes. It’s my damn castle.

  Quietly, I slip through the door and linger in the shadows near the wall. The room is large, big enough for a set of weights, a rope to climb, a sparring mat, and a series of dummies. Briar lunges at a dummy, dagger in hand. The silver blade glints prettily in the light until she stabs it into the dummy’s chest with ferocity. Again, and again, quickly, she drives it into its chest. It takes her only seconds to stab the dummy six times. She leaps away, breathing hard. I narrow my eyes at her, tracking her movements. I watch the way her feet drift across the floor with purpose, always placed expertly to move quickly and retain her balance. She keeps her center of gravity low, hunching her shoulders slightly and attacking as she exhales.

  My little mortal has had training. Good training.

  I smirk, surprised. Briar is so timid, her skills in combat seem almost unreal. I cock my head as she flings her leg high enough to bring it down hard on the dummy’s crown. She retracts it immediately after making contact, bouncing back a few steps to recover. Briar doesn’t wait long before she attacks again, this time with her dagger at an angle in her fist. She pummels the practice dummy with punches and then slips around him without making a sound. Her blade drags across its side and back as she goes, spilling out cotton.

  I feel another wash of adrenaline from her and a small hint of satisfaction. I crack my knuckles and roll my shoulders. How long has it been since I was up here practicing my fighting? Too many years to count. I grew bored of it after a time but watching Briar has kindled my interest again. Her brow sheens with sweat, and her dark shirt is damp with it. Briar's dark hair, normally so perfect and glossy, is frizzy and barely tamed in a braid. She cries out, a battle roar, and throws herself at the dummy. My lips part in surprise as she digs the dagger into the dummy's neck with enough force to sever its head. A wicked grin tugs at my lips as I imagine Briar covered in blood, panting over her felled enemy. I lick my lips. It’s enough to make me hungry.

  Clapping slowly, I slip from the shadows I built around myself and into the light. Briar starts, jumping in surprise. She whirls on me, cheeks red from exertion, chest rising and falling with each heavy breath. I rake my eyes over her. I can't stop the purr that rumbles from my chest when our eyes meet. She takes a hesitant step backward, dropping her gaze, but I notice the throb in her core through the soul bond. Night, she'll be the death of me.

  “Impressive,” I say, circling her and the headless dummy.

  “Thank you, Kane.” Her voice is small, as if unsure of herself.

  I purse my lips, wondering if her father perhaps disapproved of her skill set. “How long have you been trained in combat? You don’t seem the type.”

  Briar straightens, clutching at her dagger. I returned it to her after our bout with the Nephilim. She’s in danger here; even from me. “Since I was young. My father had me taught by the best from all over the continent.”

  “And your sisters?” I cock a brow, already knowing the answer.

  “No.” Briar frowns. Through the soul bond, I feel a prick of curiosity at the thought of her training. I study her, wondering if she truly didn’t know her father planned on betraying me.

  “Interesting that he would train you, the only one destined to live in the Underworld,” I muse. She bites the inside of her cheek and studies the floor intently. “Don’t you think?”

  “I’m sure he simply wanted me to be safe.” Briar lifts her gaze and pins me with it. Her gray eyes are endless and piercing. I feel a chill sweep through me as she stares so intently. “You’ve warned me yourself that I’m not safe here – even from you.”

  I grin even though her words make my black heart twinge with guilt. “Quite right,” I purr. “Shall we put your skills to the test?”

  Briar blanches and I feel a wave of uncertainty from my bride. “Maybe another time.”

  “I’ll go easy on you,” I tease, already shirking my black jacket.

  Briar’s eyes flash, but she keeps her face a careful mask. My little mortal is a good actress, and she’s clever. She lifts a hand and flings the dagger towards me. I don’t flinch as it sails past my head, close enough that I can feel the rush of air against my cheek. I hear the dagger sink into the wood behind me. A smirk tugs at Briar’s lip but she hides it quickly. “Alright,” she says smoothly, heading to a clear area free of practice dummies.

  I feel a rush of giddiness and adrenaline sweep through me, not entirely from Briar. My heart beats a little quicker. It's been a long time since I was this excited to spar with anyone. I know Briar could have sent that dagger into my forehead if she wanted. I smile as I unbutton a few of the buttons on my crisp, black shirt. Her eyes rake over my exposed chest, and I feel her heartbeat stumble. Her eyes dilate, and she forces them away from my chest to meet my gaze.

  I feel a wave of hunger as she
drops into a crouch, arms relaxed at her sides but ready to fight. My tongue slips over my lips, and her eyes track it. A growl rumbles in my chest and I see an image of the two of us tangled together flash through my mind. But it wasn't mine. Briar is hungry too. My smile broadens, and a blush creeps over her cheeks.

  Suddenly, Briar darts toward me. She crosses the mat in two broad steps, lifting one leg to catch my shoulder with a powerful kick. I twist, dodging it, and her eyes widen at the speed of my movements. I feel my teeth sharpen into fangs before I force the animalistic urges of my vampiric nature back. She doesn't let her surprise stop her from attacking again, dropping to a crouch to sweep my legs out from under me. I give her this one, falling with a thud. She brings her knee down on me, but I catch it mid-strike. She inhales sharply, and I feel the pleasant tingle of her fear. Delightful.

  I toss her away, forcing her to lose her balance. She recovers quickly, breathing hard, and circling me. Now she'll be on the defensive, searching for weaknesses in my attacks. I rush her, ready to strike. She blocks me, face scrunched in concentration as her forearms push away my punches. She drives her knee towards my gut at the same time. The force of the attack has me doubled over, breathing hard. A dull ache throbs in my belly, and I distance myself from her as I catch my breath. A flicker of pride warms my chest, and I catch her smiling smugly. I grin back, pleased.

  She looks surprised when she sees my smile, but I don't wait before I'm on her again. Briar cries out as I knock her off her feet. We grapple on the mat, arms and legs twisting around each other – each trying to get a better grip. Briar squirms out of my hold, surprisingly flexible. I whirl on her before she can scramble to her feet and drag her back to the ground. Her fear is my fear, and I feed on it. I force her onto the mat, straddling her waist and wrestling her arms down.

  Briar is breathing hard, her chest swelling with each breath. I pin her arms down beside her head, but she bucks her hips, trying to throw me off. I tighten my thighs around her hips, and she gasps, breath catching in her throat. She stills, eyes wide. Beads of sweat trickle down her temples and onto the mat. The room is quiet, the only sound our labored breathing. This is the first time since she became mine that our bodies have been so close. Through her thin shirt, I can see her nipples stiffen. It takes all of my will power to drag my eyes away from them and to her face. But it’s almost my undoing.

  Her gray eyes are wide, but not with fear anymore. Her desire sweeps through me, making my arms tremble. Suddenly, my senses feel razor-sharp. Every breath, every quick heartbeat, every drop of sweat is like a perfumed song. Her breath hitches in her throat as I lower my head closer to her until I can feel her breath wafting over me. I turn my head, letting it caress my ear, and shudder. I know she can feel my desire through my body and through the soul bond. I don't have the strength to keep the barriers up in this moment. So I delve into her want, eyes closed and lips parted. She shifts beneath me and I inhale sharply as pleasure ignites in me. Briar freezes.

  I wonder if she's been with any men or if she's familiar with the male body. I study her blushing face, her barely suppressed desire, and decide against it. Briar shifts her head, angling her lips to meet mine as I lower them. My thoughts flash to the night I bonded our souls and saved her life – it was the night we first kissed. The night I realized that in my black husk of a heart, there might be some feeling left. Our lips are a breath apart, the tension so taut between us I could slice it with a knife. I want her, I realize with horror. I want her in my bed, mewling with pleasure, and safe in my arms.

  The thought sends my desire flaring, but I balk. I can’t. Her father betrayed me. He ruined my one chance this generation to find what I need. Briar is not mine to please and to coddle. She is mine to break. Lips only inches apart, her sweet breath on my face, I drop my lips to her neck. I bite her, careful not to dose her with my vampire venom. She gasps, back arching as my teeth lightly pierce her skin. Briar strains against me, and I close my eyes, relishing the moment before pulling away with a wicked grin.

  “I win,” I purr.

  Her eyes widen. She twists in my grasp until I release her and scrambles to her feet, hand on the bite wound. "Yes," she murmurs. She bites her lip and closes her eyes. For once, I can't feel what's going on in her head through the soulbond, and I frown. "You did."

  Chapter 2

  Briar

  Kane's hands tighten around my wrists, and I feel a flash of pain shoot up my arms. I wince and rake my eyes over his bare chest. Poised over me as he is, his unbuttoned shirt hangs down loosely, exposing a broad swath of his chiseled chest. I swallow hard, throat bobbing, and my mouth is suddenly dry. There's an ache on the tips of my breasts and my face flushes in response. I run my tongue over my lips nervously and glance at Kane's eyes. The black orbs are always lit with fire, but now they're ablaze.

  We breathe each other's air, staring in silence. I drink him in greedily, memorizing each of his sharp features. There's a twitch in his sharp jaw, and I follow it to his cupid's bow lips, pressed tight with restraint. I've never seen anyone as handsome as Kane, someone so unearthly beautiful. It makes me heady. My heart stutters in my chest, and I see his lips quirk into a wicked grin. Kane looms closer, and I can feel my fingers trembling with anticipation of his lips on mine. My thoughts turn to our first kiss – my first kiss – and I blush more fiercely. When he kissed me, it felt like my entire body was on fire and submerged in molten lava. I want that feeling again.

  I’m hungry for her.

  The thought makes my breath catch in my throat. It wasn't mine. My lips part in surprise and confusion as I study Kane more closely. It sounded like him. It felt like him. But maybe I'm only thinking what I hope he is. Kane's lips are only a breath from mine, and I want to scream out for him to close the distance, but I bite my tongue. That wicked grin of his is making me ache. I wonder if I move beneath him if it will make him kiss me. The promiscuous thought sparks a sense of shame in the back of my mind, but it's swallowed swiftly by the rumbling in his chest and the way it makes my body vibrate with want.

  Suddenly, Kane straightens. I watch, lips parted in surprise, as he rises swiftly and brushes off his trousers as if the tension between us was only in my mind. I push myself onto my elbows, cheeks blushing scarlet. His dark eyes rake over me once more before settling on his cufflinks. Embarrassed, I crawl to my feet and retrieve my dagger.

  “You did well,” Kane says, glancing up from fixing his cuffs.

  I lift my brows, surprised by the compliment. I thought he was mad at me. “Thanks,” I say, a small smile on my lips. “Maybe we can spar again.”

  “Perhaps.” He sounds disinterested. Kane turns towards the door after picking up his jacket. “I’ll be gone for a week, perhaps more. I trust you’ll stay in the castle.”

  “Where are you going?” I start after him, emotions tumbling in my chest. I hide my hands behind my back so he can’t see me twisting them nervously.

  “To the mortal realm,” Kane says simply.

  I gape at him. My home, he’s going to my home. “Why?”

  Kane looks at me impatiently and pauses at the door. “To find the Nephilim. We found a lead in Nordsk.”

  “I want to come,” I blurt, closing the distance between us until I can smell the heady scent of his cologne.

  “You?” Kane cocks a brow. He leans against the door and crosses his arms, amusement clear on his handsome face. I tear my eyes away from his long legs and nod. Kane snorts. “Briar, I’ll be spending days and nights hunting a Nephilim. It will be too exhausting for your mortal body. Not to mention, dangerous. Don’t forget, Nephilim enjoy mortal souls the most.”

  “There are other mortals the Nephilim is already preying on,” I argue. “Maybe I could help.”

  Kane shakes his head. “No, Briar. You’ll stay here.”

  “You yourself said I shouldn’t be separated from you.” I take a hesitant step closer and see his nostrils flare. Suddenly, I feel a wave of frustration and want. I blink rap
idly as the alien emotions assault me. Pressing a hand to my forehead, I wonder if I’m getting enough sleep.

  “Are you alright?” Kane asks warily.

  I meet his gaze, noting the worry in his dark eyes. "Fine, just dizzy," I lie. I chew the inside of my cheek and rest a tentative hand on his arm. His eyes flash, but he doesn't push me away. "Please, I know Nordsk. I know mortals. I can help."

  Kane rubs his temples. “You aren’t going to let this go, are you?”

  “No.” I smile softly.

  “If you come, you listen to my every word. And Willem’s.” I blanched when Kane mentions his Second-hand. But I nod. Kane eyes me suspiciously. “If we tell you to do something, you do it. I want you to be safe.”

  My heart flutters at his words but I try to squash the sensation. Kane was right to pull away earlier. We’re growing too close. I need more control. “I promise,” I say.

  “Good.” Kane nods firmly. “Go gather a few things, we leave when Willem returns.”

  "Thank you," I beam. I squeeze his arm and slip past him, my chest brushing against his. I don't miss the way his breath catches in his throat, and my body warms. Kane catches my arm in a tight grip, wrenching me back. I gasp as he tugs me into his chest, trapping me against him. I don’t struggle, as he glowers at me with fearsome, dark eyes.

  "Pack quickly, because we won't wait for you," he growls. I nod, but he cuts me off with a low growl. I ache. "And pack lightly, if you slow us down, I'll send you right back to this castle. Understand?"

  “Yes,” I breathe, palms pressed lightly against his chest. I curl my fingers into him instinctively, feeling light-headed from his cologne.