Tanith & Shaw (The Fealty of Firstborns Series Book 1)

by H. V. Rosemarie

  Tanith sighed, picking at her cuticles. She’d scrubbed them so much they were sore, but at least the dirt that had been caked under there was finally gone.

  “I want to ask you something,” he said, and she barely bothered to raise her head. “Are you in love with my brother?”

  Tanith laughed, unable to restrain herself at the thought. It wasn’t the first time she’d been asked if she and Kent were connected in that way, and it wouldn’t be the last, but it hit her every time. “Not like you’re thinking,” she answered, smiling at the ridiculous thought. “We’re bound in the best way, but… No. We have our own kingdoms to worry about, and I knew early on that his loyalties would always be to Shadow Hunt before anything else.” She’d known it after her internship when he’d refused to step out from under his father’s thumb. He had too much to gain by staying, and whether he knew it or not, he’d made his choice.

  Shaw nodded, standing. “Alright. I’m going to wash off. Help yourself, but don’t choke again. I won’t be out here to save you.”

  She would have scoffed if she hadn’t still been curious. “Is that all you found? That the people here don’t believe in the Sight?”

  He hesitated before turning around. “They’re not bad people. Just isolated. The ones who attacked us on the beach are rebels, and they hunt the firstborns for sport. I found a contact who will get me the layout of the castle by tomorrow. It might be another day before we can penetrate the walls, but it’s better to go in smart.”

  Tanith nodded in agreement. “Let’s hope the island doesn’t disappear by then.”

  CHAPTER 9

  Tanith was stuffed with warm rolls and beef strips by the time she heard Shaw padding out of the washroom.

  She’d changed into the glistening white gown, the silk nearly reaching to the floor and the back cut extremely low. Lower than the front and enough to expose the scars that crept not even midway up her spine. The mere memory of how they’d gotten there burned her cheeks, the shame of being stripped and bent over the nefarious king’s desk as he whipped her. The memory wasn’t welcome, so she pushed it away as her company arrived.

  Shaw stepped into the living room with a dark towel wrapped around his waist, the rest of him wet and glistening. His dark hair hung to his shoulders, dripping and unbrushed, and she had to look away to stop her eyes from following the trail of droplets sliding down his chiseled body. “You’re wearing the dress. It’s a good look on you,” he complimented.

  It wasn’t fair how the Ghods had built him. Certainly inconvenient in Tanith’s opinion. “I hope that’s not the same towel I used,” she muttered, tucking her feet under herself as he dropped into the armchair diagonal to her.

  He ran his fingers over his chest casually as though brushing the gathered water from his dark red chest hair. “Would that bother you?”

  “Sharing towels doesn’t seem ideal,” she admitted.

  He nodded in agreement. “I found another one under the sink.”

  Tanith frowned. “I looked under there.”

  “Not hard enough, apparently.”

  There was silence between them before she sighed. “Are you going to get dressed?”

  He ran his tongue across his teeth for a moment before shaking his head. “No. I don’t think I will.” At her frustrated sigh, he dropped his elbows onto the armrests. “You’re moody, aren’t you? I know a way to remedy that.”

  “You’re disgusting,” she spat.

  He chuckled. “Not like that,” he assured. “I mean talking. Tell me what’s on your mind.”

  “Why should I? The last thing I need is a smartass giving his two cents. Especially when he’s the cause of at least five problems.”

  “Like I said, moody. Let’s run through your day, all right? You wake up to be sent off. Maybe not entirely of your own free will, and then you end up here.”

  “You skipped quite a bit in there,” she noted, but he merely waved her off.

  “I’m focusing on the important stuff. The attack on the beach… Is that the first time you’ve killed someone?”

  She shook her head. “No.” He wasn’t good at masking his surprise, but he stayed quiet as he waited for her to elaborate. “If you hadn’t disappeared, you’d have continued with your training. It’s an assignment for all firstborns to make a kill before coming here. I killed a Crish man. He’d been in the dungeons for three weeks before facing a death sentence, and I was the one to do the deed.”

  Shaw nodded in understanding. “Part of your training. How do you think they knew you’d have to kill?”

  She frowned. “They didn’t. It’s symbolic. Proof that we’ll do anything, even the worst thing, to get ahold of the Sight.”

  “You think death is the worst thing?” he asked curiously.

  “No, but they do.”

  “So, killing that man earlier today didn’t bother you?”

  Tanith’s brows pulled inwards. “I didn’t say that. It’s just not why I’m… You know what? No. I’m not moody. I have moods. I have emotions because I am a person. That’s allowed.”

  “I never said it wasn’t,” he quipped.

  “You implied it.”

  It was Shaw’s turn to sigh. “You can be so exhausting.”

  “And you aren’t?” she asked. “Where exactly have you been this whole time? How can any of us trust you when you wrap yourself in secrets?”

  With the tick of his jaw, Shaw stood and tried to leave, but Tanith leaped to her feet and grabbed his arm, pulling him back with such force that they nearly knocked into each other.

  “Tell me the truth,” she demanded. “How did you escape? Why didn’t you come back until now?”

  His brown eyes stared down at her, hard but vulnerable. “Let go of me.”

  She loosened her grip but didn’t release him. “Tell me.”

  “Tanith,” he warned, jerking his arm free.

  Without thinking, she grabbed onto the only other thing within reach. His towel. His eyes widened and she drew in a sharp breath at the same time, the dark fabric unwrapping itself and falling to the floor as she pulled her hand back.

  He didn’t rush to cover himself. He didn’t even move as Tanith turned her head away, waiting for him to make himself decent again. “I’m sorry,” she said quickly.

  He didn’t answer, and there was no movement, not until his warm fingers brushed the hair away from her neck. His hot breath met her skin, his nose under her ear as she leaned into his touch, burning at the contact and shivering when his free hand fell to her hip. “Careful, sweetheart,” he warned, moving his hands to trace his fingers over her bare shoulders. “I’d hate for you to start something you aren’t ready to finish.”

  She swallowed thickly, searching for a response before his lips met her neck, his thumbs looping themselves under the flimsy straps of her white gown, guiding them down her arms until the silk fabric pooled at her waist, leaving her top exposed.

  With sure hands, he let himself roam, his bare chest against her bare-back as though absorbing each involuntary shiver. He traced his palms across her abdomen, moving up to cup her breasts and to give her hardened nipples a sharp pinch.

  “Would you let a stranger touch you like this?” he asked quietly, and she could feel his hardness at her back, leaning into her as he clutched her tighter.

  She couldn’t bring herself to answer. Couldn’t do anything other than turn to face him. He wasn’t shy about lowering his gaze, claiming a better look at what she’d hidden from him earlier. There was raw hunger in his eyes as he fixated on her, and she tried to mask her own as she looked down too.

  She wanted to reach out for his solid length, erect and proud where it stood between them, but he backed away before she could.

  “I didn’t think so,” he finished easily. “Maybe we aren’t strangers after all.”

  Turning sharply, he disappeared into the bedroom, leaving Tanith exposed and still in the sitting room, contemplating all she knew and everything she didn’t ab
out Vaere Shaw.

  +

  She’d been too embarrassed to leave the couch that night, but sometime after dark, she awoke to herself being lifted off the cushions by familiar arms.

  “What are you doing?” she muttered drowsily, unable to muster the effort it would have taken to glare at him.

  “You don’t need to throw your back out on a stiff couch because of your pride,” Shaw answered simply. “The bed is more comfortable.”

  She grunted, shadows passing overhead where she’d fixed her eyes. “Is this another mind game of yours?”

  He sighed as he placed her on the mattress, pulling the covers over her before walking around and slipping in beside her. There was plenty of room, but he stayed close, mere inches away. “It’s not a game,” he corrected. “Things are just complicated.”

  “They wouldn’t be if you learned how to be honest.”

  For a moment, she thought she hurt his feelings due to his lack of response, but it didn’t take him long to answer.

  “Maybe not, or maybe it would just tangle things further.”

  Tanith groaned in frustration and pulled the silk covers to her chin. “Fine. Clam up and be lonely, but you’ll never be happy that way. Keeping secrets might protect you, but it won’t satisfy you.”

  She half expected a smartass retort, but when it didn’t come, she was forced to let the silence between them drift her to sleep. Even with a warm body next to her, Tanith had never felt so cold.

  CHAPTER 10

  Tanith woke before ever opening her eyes, the distinct comfort of being held prolonging her waking process. It wasn’t until she felt warm fingertips trailing upwards from the back of her knees that she jerked upright.

  The first thing she saw was Shaw smirking up at her, both of her legs straddling his waist and her white gown shoved to her thighs. With a scowl, she threw herself off of him, bouncing out of bed and starting straight towards the washroom.

  “It’s natural for you to want me,” he called after her, no small amount of pride in his tone. “The feeling is mutual if you haven’t picked up on it.”

  She slammed the door closed behind her and took a long look in the mirror, silently asking herself what the hell she was doing. She was a mess, hair frizzy and eyes tired, yet somehow, in the middle of the night, she’d found herself on top of the single most arrogant prince she’d ever met, and it had been the best night’s sleep of her life. She didn’t have a single dream or nightmare because for once, her mind was at ease, content during her rest.

  Because of him.

  No. Not him. Because of the bed. Because it was the most lavish bed she’d ever had the opportunity to sleep on. Because of the change of scenery, or maybe it was the island itself. There were plenty of reasons that had nothing to do with Vaere Shaw, and she mulled over them as she washed her face, using a toothbrush and toothpaste that hadn’t been there the day before. At least Shaw had planned for fresh breath.

  To her left, the door swung open and Shaw stood naked under the frame, causing Tanith to stab herself in the back of the throat with the utensil and choke. She sputtered, spitting quickly into the sink and shutting her eyes tightly as she blindly wiped her mouth on a towel.

  “What the actual fuck?” she cursed. “As if barging in isn’t rude enough, you can’t be bothered to put some clothes on?”

  She felt his presence behind her before opening her eyes, watching him through the mirror with an unforgiving gaze. He tilted his head, using her body to shield his modesty. “I thought we were past that stage.”

  “Why would you think that?”

  He dipped his chin slightly. “Since we’re sharing toothbrushes and all.”

  Scoffing, she muttered in disgust and dropped the toothbrush on the counter, turning and slipping out the door without an apology. There was only one, and she should have guessed he got it for himself. Another part of his cruel game, whether he admitted it or not.

  After taking a quick bite of their leftovers, Tanith grabbed the green dress off the sofa as Shaw stepped into the room, redressed and ready to face the day.

  “What are you doing?” he asked, pulling on his gloves.

  “What does it look like? I’m getting dressed.”

  He frowned. “Why?”

  “Because we have places to go,” she reminded him. “Things to pick up. People to see.”

  Shaw shook his head. “I have things to do today,” he corrected. “You don’t. You stay here, and I’ll be back after lunch with everything we need.”

  “I’m coming with you,” she stated stubbornly, only to receive a look of exasperation.

  “There’s nothing you can do out there that I can’t. The only thing you might succeed in is messing up my exchange, so you stay here and wait for me to get back or find your way to the boat and make your way home.”

  Tanith pressed her lips together stubbornly. “I’m not a child. I can handle coming along.”

  “It’s not a matter of what you can handle. It has more to do with what we can accomplish, and I can do a lot more without worrying about anyone else. Just stay,” he insisted. “Sit. Rest. Eat. Read. As long as you remain inside.”

  Dropping the dress on the chair and crossing her arms, she watched him suit up, masking himself before opening the door and stepping out. He gave her one stern look before closing the door, locking it behind him, and leaving Tanith to her thoughts.

  “Bastard,” she muttered, hurrying towards the curtain and watching him start down the street.

  Faster than ever, she pulled off her gown, slipping into the dark green dress and messily lacing up the corset strings in the front before opening the kitchen window and slipping out, grabbing two of her knives on the way and tucking them into opposite pockets of her skirt.

  She was careful as she slipped through an opening between the row of townhouses, catching a glimpse of Shaw’s auburn hair turning the corner before sprinting across the street in pursuit.

  She got some looks from the few people outside, but no one stopped her as she slipped behind a moving carriage on the next street and used it to hide her as she followed, craning her neck left and right to see where Shaw ended up.

  They weren’t near the shops yet, and the street was a quarter-mile long, but Shaw was nowhere to be seen. It was as though he’d disappeared into thin air, and Tanith let the carriage pass as she looked around, wondering if he’d switched directions when she wasn’t looking.

  With a disappointed sigh, she silently vowed not to let him slip away next time, ducking her head and keeping to the shadows as she made her way back to the townhouse, careful not to attract too much attention.

  +

  If Tanith had any inkling of when Shaw would return, she might have wandered the city alone, or at least, that’s what she told herself as she paced the rooms.

  She didn’t want to read anymore. She didn’t want to sit still as the hours slipped away from her because she wasn’t at home. She wasn’t safe. The territory was unknown, and for all she could guess, the island might not have even been visible from Ellesmere anymore.

  There was no way to be sure because time wasn’t really a ticking clock. Such strategies were man-made, but the universe didn’t run on the same humanly tactics that she did. The island most definitely had its own agenda.

  “There’s got to be something,” she muttered to herself, turning on a dime and stomping over to the bookshelf in the hallway. It was built into the wall, probably a hundred titles stuffed onto it, but she couldn’t bring herself to touch a single one.

  Tanith looked for another minute before throwing caution to the wind, cursing Shaw and hoping she could return before he did, she slipped out the window again.

  This time, when she started down the street, she didn’t bother hiding. The women she’d seen walked with confidence, so she did her best to copy their strides, remembering her lessons in the castle that she’d only ever half-listened to.

  Shoulders back. Chin up. Eyes forward.

>   It was an effort not to hitch a ride on one of the passing carriages but following the general direction of the steady traffic flow, it only took her twenty minutes to reach the heart of the civilization. There were shops and businesses lining the street, rounded in a spiral with the occasional alleys providing shortcuts.

  No one paid her much mind, and she found that if she didn’t stare at them, they wouldn’t stare at her. Their sharp ears and taunting teeth were hard to ignore, but they weren’t feral like the folks she’d run into before, so with one hand tightly wrapped around the handle of the knife in her pocket, she scanned the shops.

  There were cafes, restaurants, a library, activity centers, art studios, clothing stores, and everything a human city might have, but it was designed so much more elegantly than Ellesmere, and there wasn’t a poverty-stricken citizen to be seen, no young children wandering the streets in raggedy clothes or hungry beggars waiting on street corners. There was only life; simple, beautiful, and strange.

  Tanith stopped in front of a small shop with homey items in the window. Baylie’s Bucket was the name, and Tanith was quick to make sure her hair hid her rounded ears in the reflection of the window before letting herself in.

  There was no bell, but the moment her boot met the floor, a man appeared from the back of the shop, taking his place behind the desk and watching her with careful eyes. His hair was blond, chin-length, and he wore a tan vest with a white shirt underneath. “May I help you?” he asked simply, curiosity but no judgment in his tone.

  A clock chimed from the back, giving her a few seconds to think of an answer without seeming suspicious. She smiled slightly. “A clock. Do you have any of those?”

  The blond man rose a brow as though wondering if she’d heard the same thing he had moments before. “What kind?”

  She shrugged. “Table clocks. Small. Gold.”

  He nodded simply, stepping away from the register. “I’ll pull some options for you from the back.”

  Before she could answer, he was gone and she barely registered that she only had a minute before he would return.