Twinned Shadow (The Shadow Series Book 1) by Candice Bundy (win 10 ebook reader .txt) 📗

the proud hunter returning triumphant from his hunt!” This last part she’d directed to her gold and brown tabby, who in thanks, laid his prize at Tesse’s feet, and then sat, cocking his head to the side. The golden sheen in his eyes mirrored her own; a similarity between his feline and her fae-touched eyes despite the difference in species.

“No, not this time, you scamp,” Tesse said. “You carry it into the house. I would never hear the end of it from Mother if I mussed this gown.”

Oriani sneezed, unimpressed with her explanation.

“You know he grows more cantankerous each year?” Tesse whispered to Becka.

“Uh, huh? That’s why he was always your cat. Good gods, Tesse, these pictures are amazing!” Becka said. “Oh my, is that the silver and black headdress of House Vine?”

“Yes. Somehow Mother convinced everyone to turn up for my event. Anything to build alliances, she said.”

“Speaking of, do you have any pictures of your dress?”

“No, but I will see what I can manage later,” Tesse whispered. “I wish you could see all of this for yourself. Or even better, I could attend YOUR wedding instead.”

“Can you even imagine how they’d react if I showed up? Oh my gods, I have pink-tipped hair I wear in a messy ponytail now. And can you guess how many ear piercings you can fit on fae-tipped ears?”

Tesse gasped. “You never told me about the ears! How many?”

“Six!” Becka laughed. “Seriously, some old lady behind me in line at the store yesterday talked like I was just some young college degenerate! It’s like she didn’t even notice I was a fae-touched. It was amazing!”

Tesse chuckled. “Gods, I miss you.”

“I miss you too.”

“Are you speaking with the cat?”

“Alain!” Tesse spun around, heartbeat suddenly racing as she dropped her phone at her feet. Moving to hide the phone with her full skirts, she whapped Oriani across the snoot. “I did not hear you approach.” Had he seen the phone? How much of the conversation had he overheard?

She listened to Oriani scamper away through the rose hedges. Poor dear, she’d have to make it up to him later.

“My apologies,” Alain bowed at the waist with a flourish, the pale golden sheen of his fae-touched eyes never left hers. She held his gaze, struck by a sudden fluttering sensation in her chest and stomach. Was it because of his heated expression or the anxiety over being caught communicating with an outcast?

If there was a standard of aristocratic perfection amongst the fae-touched, Alain was a prime example. His long, platinum hair fell in well-manicured plaits down his shoulders and back, framing his perfectly symmetrical face and pointed ears. The cascade of his hair and the cut of his long, formal robes exaggerated his lean, tall frame.

He was everything she should find enchanting in a mate. She hoped in time and as they got to know each other better, she’d warm to him.

Tesse took a steeling breath and then motioned for him to rise. They had embroidered the fine linen of his over jacket with a leaf and fire pattern in reds and browns, the symbol of House Hawthorne. It was minimal, and yet perfectly executed.

“Did I hear something?” he asked.

Tesse searched for the right response and came up lacking.

“Likely just my cat, Oriani,” she stammered. “He is a talker. And a mouser. He makes many noises.”

Ugh! She needed to get better at lying. Tesse smiled and hoped he’d let the matter drop.

Alain opened his mouth, closed it again, and then spoke. “As you say, my Lady.”

Thank the gods for social decorum. “Are the guards out looking for me?”

“No, my Lady. When one asked if I knew where you had stolen off to, I informed her you wished a discreet audience with myself so we could get to know each other better.”

By better, he must mean at all. She and Alain had shared only a handful of conversations since their families set the terms to their engagement months ago.

“The guards took your word for it?”

“Well, I am your betrothed and a lord within my house. They had no reason to doubt me.”

His sly grin was infectious. Tesse pursed her lips, a slight smirk curling the edge of her mouth.

“These gardens are vast, yet you found me easily enough.”

Alain spread his hands wide. “You are a vision of beauty in this silver gown. And may I say the exquisite braiding of your tresses creates such fetching cascades of light and shadow? Under the full moon, you are a veritable beacon of light, as befits your house.”

Tesse’s smile fell and her nose wrinkled. This level of etiquette was well over the top. Was this how he always spoke, or just for the occasion?

“I needed some fresh air. They have packed the great hall to the gills with fae-touched. I have never seen so many.”

He gave a quick nod. “One day you will inherit this estate and title from your mother. Esteemed fae from around the globe are in attendance for our wedding not just for an enjoyable party, but also to meet her heir. No doubt, they hope to win your favor or at the least, remain memorable. It is not every day the eldest of the House of Mirrors, a Rowan-born, marries.”

Tesse curled her fingers and then stopped, reining in her outward response. Couldn’t they have a normal conversation?

“Except I’m not the eldest. That position was my twin’s rightful place. I will walk forever in her vacant shoes.”

Alain’s smile faltered, and sadness creased his brow. “The vagaries of fate are not ours to comprehend. We must abide by the customs of our people. You are the rightful heir now.”

Tesse stared at the man she would marry tomorrow but said nothing, lest her turmoil of emotions betray her outer calm. She still missed her sister, even after all these years. Tesse would have happily ceded the position of the heir to have her twin back in her life. Tesse knew she lacked her mother’s drive and desire to rule, yet