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Lorn was an idiot.
Of course that came from a place of deep seated love, and from his own soul. The Shadow King had just left through his portal to retrieve Sasha from Old Middleton for her trial week and left his Shadow to muse about what was to come.
Shadow knew that the month Lorn had given himself before trying to sever his connection to Between left precious few moments to show himself that Between is worth ruling with someone like Sasha Evangeline Pierce by his side.
Burdensome. His Shadow was still aghast that someone could use the word to describe their lovely True Queen, a woman quite capable and competent despite the constant challenges being thrown at her at what has seemingly been a daily basis. Truly Shadow was enchanted with her and so was his counterpart, not that Lorn would be ready to admit that any time soon. His physical self was determined to follow that blasted Queen plan through till the supposed end of his rein.
If I had one day free of this cursed mirror, I would do everything in my power to show Sasha how a True Queen should be treated, how my True Queen should be treated. Shadow thought bitterly to himself sipping from the wine in his goblet. Sasha was everything Lorn could desire in a woman: clever, resourceful, charming and breathtakingly beautiful. Shadow could not understand why the King would so willingly overlook the happiness he could have with Sasha for such a foolhardy plot that the red book provided,
Thinking back over the weeks events Shadow smiled as he sipped, Sasha was so incredibly charming, from the way she scolded Lorn with her finger, the way her hair flowed behind her while she ran, the way his amulet rested so neatly on her chest, a sign that she belonged with them, ruling by their side. He could feel Between’s magic agreeing with him, this was her Destiny and she was to be legendary.
That’s only if my damn self would stop being an utterly wretched fool and consider all of the possibilities. Truly I am my own worst enemy, to think Lorn is denying her hugs of all things, when I will never truly know her touch-
The Shadow took a shaky breath, shaking his head to clear the thought from his mind. He knew better than to start the self loathing as it were. He ran his finger along the smooth surface of the mirror remembering just days ago when Sasha was here, so very very close, and yet eternally out of reach. She showed such cleverness, such kindness, immediately trying to free him when she realised his fate. Shadow was not lying when he called her magnificent and he knew she would be able to achieve so many great things, he only yearned to be by her side, to be able to share in her joys and care for her as she deserved.
I would have made all your dreams come true. He truly meant it, the spark that ran between Sasha and Lorn carried through into his very soul, the Shadow would have seized any opportunity to fulfil her every fantasy, especially the adult type touching she had wished for. The Shadow had a very sneaking suspicion the spark that ran through both of them was more than what Between had intended and that their souls may be linked more so then he could even guess.
Midra’s sack, I am becoming as bad as an Elf, with all this pining and musings on Destiny. My lovely Queen needs me to focus on how I can prevent Lorn from making the worst mistake of his life in one month, for both our sakes.
The Shadow rose from his chair and began to pace his crown at an awkward tilt as he thumbed his chin in thought. That red book surely came in a “convenient” time, Lorn should ask the Collections department about movement throughout the castle in case one of the Ravens noticed when the book arrived in the archive. The stubborn fool may be desperate enough to fall for a trap but I certainly am not.
The Shadow paused, feeling Between’s hum in agreement, a rare moment of warmth spreading through his body as he took a calming breath. Lorn would be back soon with his Queen and the Shadow was anticipating an excellent story if Lorn’s previous interactions with the Coven were anything to go by. Not only that but then he would be able to watch over Sasha, having one more person for companionship and giving her a much needed friend in this chaotic land.
Shadow snorted, Friend. That’s what you settled on? Lorn, you fool, she wants to give you everything you’ve ever needed and what you decided to barely offer is friendship. She needs you just as you need her.
When Sasha crossed the Wasteland, she became the first Earther Queen of Between, something that even the Shadow didn’t think possible. But as he reflected, he recognized that Between was putting into motion something grand. Looking up, the Shadow saw the emblem of Between painted on the ceiling in a shifting gold lustre. Between needed balance, and if Sasha was the round to Lorn’s sharp, the Hope to the Despair, the Sun to his Shadow, she was the answer to the Chaos. Hopefully, this trial week and the month following were enough to convince both that their cooperation would be the answer Lorn had been seeking. She can save us. We won’t have to hurt.
Despite his ability to feel the exhaustion through the tether, the Shadow couldn’t help but wonder what else the King could feel that he could not. The breeze on his skin as he called down the wind, the warmth of a crackling fire, and the pat of Maddox’s hand on his shoulder after a disappointing meeting. The breath of his queen when the cloak pulled them to close, her hands wrapped around his leg as she charmed him, the scent of her hair as she had pulled him close on the Dreamer’s Hill. How it must feel when the softness of her hand grabs his when she asks him anything of importance. He allowed himself to imagine what it would feel like to hold her hips as he pulled her close to him, the imagery of waking up beside her in his bed flooding his senses.
The Shadow glanced down wryly and huffed annoyed. Come now, this is not the time for idle fantasies, the Queen will be arriving shortly and there is no honourable way to explain this away. He took a steadying breath, sitting back down in his chair with only his thoughts for company.