Shadows of Fate (Shadow Born) by Angela Dennis Read Free Book Online

loved, she was powerless. It made her feel…lost.

Chapter Four
     
    Tomorrow she would be married. Brenna stepped onto the balcony of her bridal suite, reaching blindly for the railing. The night covered her in darkness. Normally she found the moonlight soothing, but tonight she was glad the cloud cover kept it hidden. On tiptoes, she stared at the ground beneath her. It was close enough that she could easily jump down and run away. But, if she did, the civil war would never end. More of her people would die. She had no choice but to suffer through what lay ahead.
    Sighing, she leaned against the stone banister. It had taken her years to feel comfortable in her own skin. She wasn’t the prettiest of Lord Garrick Baudouin’s daughters, or even the most powerful. Her father had made it clear her only use to their clan was as a sacrifice. A pawn.
    She squeezed her eyes shut, too late to stop the tears. This wasn’t how a warrior should feel. And marriage wasn’t supposed to be like this. She should be overwhelmed with joy, not fear.
    A noise caught her attention, and she turned to the open doorway. Dunham was here. Her intended. Tall, with white blond hair that brushed his shoulders, he wore his authority around him like a cloak. His every action demanded respect. But there was also a warmth about him that radiated good will. It was clear why he was both loved and respected by his people.
    Her stomach clenched. Although she had been raised on stories recounting the atrocities of his clan, she was well aware of the sacrifices he’d made to broker this peace. This was a man willing to do anything to save his people. It was impossible not to respect him, maybe even trust him a little. But that didn’t allay her fears.
    He stopped before her, determination in his violet gaze. “I wanted to make sure you were all right. You’re a fighter, not a peacemaker. This must be hard to accept. ” He brushed away a stray curl that had fallen across her forehead.
    She flinched, stepping back. “Of course it’s hard. But just because I’m trained to fight doesn’t mean I want to. We both know what we’re giving up. And what everyone stands to gain.”
    His eyes narrowed, and he grasped her shoulders. “I am sorry, Brenna. I understand the sacrifice you are making, and I promise I’ll do everything in my power to make you happy. But this war has to end. Too many people have died, on both sides.”
    “I know,” she whispered. It didn’t make tomorrow easier.
    He watched her carefully. “If you don’t want to go through with this, I won’t force you. This has to be your choice.”
    She laughed bitterly. “My choice is made. I want this war to end.”
    Dunham nodded. “We both do. And we can end this together. Build something new, something wonderful.”
    “I want to believe you, but I don’t even know you.”
    A light shone in his eyes. “Then let’s get to know each other. We have all night.”
     
     
    Day dawned far too early. Lately, her dreams about Dunham were coming more frequently. Not only did they disturb her sleep, but she woke filled with acute loss. Not a great way to start the day.
    Brenna stumbled into the kitchen, following the smell of strong coffee and the orange rolls Marissa always prepared. At the first sip of java, the haze began to clear. Despite the time of day, the kitchen remained dark. Electricity was still at a premium until the new power plant went online next year, so candles had been placed strategically throughout the room to compensate. They didn’t provide much light, but most of them didn’t need it anyway.
    She dropped like a rock onto a hard wooden chair at the chipped and battered dining room table. Sam and Marissa were already there and Gray sat across from her, his long frame crammed into one of the chairs. Looking at him made her back knot up with tension. He seemed at ease, however, his legs covered in worn jeans matched with a thick black sweater. His black duster lay draped