Child of Blackwen (An Artemis Ravenwing Novel Book 1) by Melanie Rodriguez Read Free Book Online

face that seemed oddly familiar. Small hazel eyes brightened the moment they fixated on me; wisps of light brown hair curled atop the pale-skinned head of what I finally realized was an infant
.
    I tried moving closer to the baby, until I felt a searing pain in my right shoulder, causing me to scream
.

    I shot up from bed, my hand instantly grabbing my right shoulder. There was no pain, no sensation of blood loss. My nightgown clung to my body in warm sweat, and I sighed in relief, realizing it was only a dream.
    Lying back down, I saw it was still night. The moonlight poured through the open window and onto my blankets. The face of the infant wouldn’t escape my mind, even when I shut my eyes.
    Nerves flared once the realization set in—
I
was the infant. There was no other explanation for it. It also meant that because the infant was indeed me, the person I embodied in the dream was my mother.
    She
was the one hurt;
she
was the one running while trying to protect me.
    “Tamina…” I whispered as I curled beneath the blankets, bringing my knees to my chest. “Mother…help me understand. Help me understand it all.”

    Shadow wandered onto the balcony connected to his bedroom; he was in yet another battle with nightmares. It was one of the unfortunate prices of being a soldier: now and then, he could see the faces of those he had slaughtered not only in the recent war, but in the other battles he’d fought in his lifetime. He learned to ignore most, but some faces managed to break through the barrier and cause the dark dreams. The worst ones had the faces of those he loved and befriended who died in those wars.
    “Almost two centuries old…” Shadow cursed, his hand balling into a fist atop the wooden railing, “and you still let them haunt you.
All
of them.”
    He eventually released his grip. He stared out toward the darkness of the forest and remembered his conversation with Talisa. The part concerning the full-bloods angered him.
    What purpose did they have here in the realm? Why bring attention to themselves now? Unless…
    “Willow be damned,” Shadow cursed as he headed back into the room.
    He rummaged among his trunks for his scouting cloak, as well as warmer clothing to travel into the night with.
    After he changed into them, he went to his study and grabbed a sheathed elven blade. Pulling the blade from the sheath, Shadow stared at the odd glyphs engraved within the sleek-shaped steel. It was given to him by his long-deceased father, Lord Trystan. It was one of the rare gifts his father had ever given him, and Shadow was never without the sword in war or in scouting missions. Shadow reached for a small bow and a quiver of arrows, and he also made sure to grab a set of reins and a saddle from his stable.
    Shadow marched on to the wilderness borders and softly whistled into the night. Stopping, he heard a comforting neigh of a horse and smiled as a large white mare entered his line of sight. The mare eased her trotting as she neared her master; her coat glistened like a jewel in the moonlight, and her golden eyes showed slight irritation. Shadow laughed apologetically while setting the saddle and reins upon her.
    “Apologizes, Azrael,” he began as his hand gently moved along her neck. “I know it is late, but I wouldn’t have called unless it was urgent.”
    Azrael snorted her disapproval.
    “Yes, yes. Once we return from this, I promise to give you the rest you deserve,” Shadow pledged as he climbed atop her. “We ride to Talisa’s cottage. Once we reach it, I must leave you behind. This is one adventure where I cannot risk your injury if you accompanied me the entire way.”
    Azrael snorted again, but more in understanding than annoyance. Shadow rubbed her neck once more and gave his thanks as they rode out.
    On horseback, Talisa’s cottage was half a day away, but Azrael was no mere horse. She had come to Shadow before he set out for his first war; her presence and unusual span of life