Prologue
-Rehan-
My eldest sister was the life of the party, the one many suitors flocked around, even though she had only just reached the age required for marriage. My father kept a watchful eye from across the room, but I knew his instincts told him to remain close to his soul-bounded wife, who was pregnant and sitting beside him on their two thrones. I stood by their side, trying to mirror my father’s watchful gaze, making sure every male shifter in the room could feel the threat looming nearby should they get too close. It seemed to work—many kept throwing glances toward their king, who would gladly rip anyone apart who dared to touch not only his eldest child but also his only daughter.
“You’re staring,” I heard my mother say softly before she gently placed her hand on my father’s arm, redirecting his attention. She gave him a sweet smile, the only thing that could melt the king’s cold demeanor.
“I’m just keeping an eye on her. I know what young shifter males think about, and if any of those weaklings think they’re good enough for my daughter, they are mistaken, and I will gladly prove it with my fists,” he snarled, and the shadows beneath his feet swirled, reacting to his power.
“Darling, she’s eighteen. Let her enjoy herself,” my mother said.
“Eighteen doesn’t mean an adult. I’m the adult, and I won’t have those dogs sniffing around her,” my father countered, his hand wrapping around the armrest of his chair, shadow claws forming, ready to tear apart anyone he saw as a threat.
“Eighteen does mean an adult, but I agree—even adults can act like children.”
“Exactly,” my father said, though he was focused on my sister once more, clearly missing the hidden message in my mother’s words. When she glanced upward to meet my eyes, I understood, and we smiled at each other.
“What… What is that one doing?” my father murmured angrily. I turned my head to see another lord, one I didn’t recognize, moving a little too close for comfort. Even my sister seemed unsettled by him. “I will tear out—”
“I’ll handle it, Father,” I assured him as my father rose from his chair, but I knew the only reason he wasn’t storming forward was his instincts telling him to stay near his wife.
My father turned to me, and I gave him a nod. Still, he seemed reluctant. I understood why. I had just turned fifteen—not yet a grown man myself—but that didn’t mean I was small for my age or that I hadn’t been taught how to defend myself and my family. With a calmer expression, my father silently signaled that I had his permission to interfere.
Walking away, I rested my hand on the sword at my waist. Though my powers would be enough, it was never unwise to be unarmed. I marched toward my sister, who was finding herself rather crowded, now leaning against a column in the room. Couldn’t this shifter take a hint? She was clearly uncomfortable with his presence, and the other lords and nobles who had previously vied for her attention had stepped back, as if somehow this one was a challenge they didn’t want to take on. But what was so special about him?
Even from afar, I could see his clothes didn’t match my own, the materials of lesser quality, and he didn’t carry much jewelry that indicated wealth. The man didn’t even wear a sword—clearly someone who couldn’t protect his family or even himself. I already loathed him.
The moment I neared, I stepped between them, placing my hand on his chest and gently pushing him back. He was still taller than me, and up close, I noticed he was much older, even slightly too old for my sister. She had just reached the age appropriate for marriage, while this one had certainly surpassed it long ago. He wasn’t old—just older.
“The princess clearly does not enjoy your crowding her so. Step back, or I will make you,” I warned.
“Rehan,” my sister said gently, but when I glanced at her, I could tell she appreciated the help.
The lord, on the other hand… There was something in his eyes I couldn’t quite pinpoint—something deeply wrong, like a darkness lurking that had nothing to do with our powers. It unsettled me, but I wouldn’t show weakness, standing tall.
“You’re in the presence of the eldest prince. When I tell you to step back, you step back,” I ordered.
The lord seemed to weigh his options, as if there were any, before glancing toward my sister. Something in his gaze shifted once more, but it didn’t ease the unsettling feeling—it only amplified it. He shouldn’t look at her that way, I thought.
“Of course,” he suddenly said. “I apologize for overstepping, princess.”
Even his voice sent a chill down my spine, but with a bow, he departed. I nodded approvingly before turning to my sister, whose face lit up in a smile as she came to stand beside me. We were the same height now, though I still had a few years to grow, and I most likely would.
My father was so tall it would be no wonder if I came to resemble him. I had inherited many of his traits—his dark hair—while my sister took after our mother, with her blonde locks drawing many people’s attention. The blond color wasn’t typical for shadow shifters, so anyone with that trait was often sought after.
“So, little brother,” she teased me, making me roll my eyes as she wrapped an arm around mine. “My big protector, my hero, my—”
“If I hadn’t come, Father would have, and we both know he’d have to drag Mother with him. She’s been advised not to stay on her feet for long,” I reminded her.
“Yes, of course. But this time I’m actually grateful. That one was…”
“Yes, I saw the way he stared at you. Something is very wrong.” I looked in the direction the lord had gone, but he had disappeared into the crowd.
“Oh, Rehan, he wasn’t that bad. Just a little over the top. Some people are. Do not worry.”
“I do worry. Didn’t you see it?”
“See what?”
“That… in his eyes.”
“What?” She looked genuinely perplexed, making me wonder if I had imagined the darkness. When I didn’t answer, my sister patted my arm before letting go. “I’m going to dance.”
“What?”
“I’m going to dance,” she said, moving toward the dance floor.
“No, Demena!” I called, reaching for her, but she slipped from my grasp.
