The Shadow Pack

Anika Valerion

We were ready. Waiting. I stood in the center of the chamber, dressed exactly as they wanted me: a bride. The black gown I wore earlier had been replaced by a pure white dress, a veil pinned to the back of my hair. The Heiress crown sat heavy on my head.

Xander pushed another small weapon—a thin, double-edged shadow dagger—into the hidden sheath inside his boot. He was already armed with a sword at his hip, a bow across his back, and a quiver of arrows.

“That’s enough weapons, Xander,” I said quietly. “At this point, you’ll be suspected the moment they see you.”

He...