Page 88 of The Shadows Between Us
If I want to marry the king, I most assuredly should have said I want children. That is the duty of a queen. To bear heirs. Never mind Kallias won’t live long enough to produce any.
“I feel the same way,” Kallias says, surprising me. “So why don’t you have any interest in Orrin? I happen to know he’s quite rich. The ladies at court seem to think him attractive.”
“They obviously have never had a conversation with him.”
Pleased with my answer, Kallias turns his attention back to his food. My foot has fallen asleep thanks to Demodocus’s significant weight, and his breath warms my other foot.
“Why do you choose the library for us to dine in?” I ask. “Do you even like to read? I’ve never seen you with a book in hand.”
“My father loved to read. He was an old man. He liked to acquire knowledge. This room not only reminds me of him, it sort of smells like him.”
Though Kallias has always been quick to speak of his mother, this is the first that he’s said anything personal of his father.
“I don’t have time to read,” Kallias says. “But even if I did, I wouldn’t. It’s not a hobby of mine. I’d much prefer to run with Demodocus or spend time with you.”
“Was he the oldest man in history, your father?”
“No. I have a great-great-grandfather who lived to be seven hundred and fifty-eight.”
“He lasted more than seven hundred years before taking a wife and having children?”
He nods.
“How long do you think you will last?” I ask.
“You doubt my resolve?” he asks, switching out courses.
“I’m trying to picture you at seven hundred years old and not having read a whole book. Will both your bodyandmind stay the same?” I hide my smile behind a drink of wine.
“Books are not the only way to learn. I will grow smarter and more powerful as my empire spreads. As I discover new strategies in leading my armies. As wise men and women council me.”
“And you will grow lonelier. Don’t you think you will forget how to be human if you push away all the mortals in your life?” I’m not even trying to convince him to court me at this point. I’m honestly curious.
“I haven’t pushed you away.”
“But someday I will die. I will age, and you won’t, so long as you live your life in shadow.”
Kallias jerks away from the food he’d been bringing to his lips, as though that thought had never occurred to him. Finally he says, “That is a very long time from now.” But he won’t meet my gaze.
No matter. That’s enough friendly chatter for one night. Time to move on to putting my plan into action for helping Rhouben.
“Kallias, I heard a story about you stealing frogs from a lake to put into one of your tutor’s beds.”
He grins wickedly at the memory. “She was a terrible bore.”
I size up Kallias.
“What?” he asks.
“I’m wondering. With your ability, is it only inanimate objects you can turn to shadow with a touch?”
Demodocus leaves me and goes to sit by his master, finally restoring blood flow to my foot.
“Why?” Kallias asks.
“I have to sneak into someone’s rooms. For a friend. I wondered if you could let me in through the door. And I do mean,throughit.”
“You think I will just help you break into someone’s rooms? Someone of my own court?”
