All Chapters of Shadow's Essence : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

CHAPTER TWELVECourt PoliticsWhispers followed Xalara through the Night Court's vaulted halls.One month into her contract marriage with Lord Elaric Nox, and she remained an object of fascinated speculation among the territorial delegates. Nobles gathered in small clusters, conversations faltering as she passed, only to resume with greater intensity once they believed her beyond earshot.Let them whisper. In the Veil, people who wasted time gossiping usually ended up with a knife between their ribs. These nobles just end up with more gossip. Strange to think which environment was actually more efficient.She moved with practiced grace through the Great Assembly of the Five Territories, a quarterly summit that had brought delegates to Shadoweave, House Nox's ancestral seat. The sprawling fortress of obsidian and silver made the Obsidian Embassy seem almost modest by comparison. For three days, representatives from across the territories had engaged in the delicate dance of diplomacy b

Chapter 14: Sabotage BeginsThe forged letter arrived with the morning correspondence, bearing House Holt's seal and Xalara's supposed signature.Elaric held the parchment between two fingers as if it might contaminate him, his shadow magic darkening instinctively around the elegant script that detailed "concerns about House Nox's military preparations" and "willingness to share intelligence with former house allies."Clumsy work, he thought, noting the subtle discrepancies in letter formation that marked it as forgery. But convincing enough for those who want to believe it."How long has this been circulating?" he asked Matthias, who stood rigidly at attention despite being the bearer of unwelcome news."Unknown, my lord. It was discovered among Advisor Kaelis's morning briefing materials, though he claims no knowledge of its origin or distribution timeline."Elaric set the forgery aside and moved to his study window, where he could observe Xalara conducting her morning essence pract

Chapter 16: Elaric's SofteningThe pendant gleamed against the dark velvet of its presentation case, ancient silver interwoven with obsidian in patterns that seemed to shift when observed peripherally. Elaric had discovered it three days ago while reviewing artifacts in the deepest vaults—a piece so exquisite and perfectly suited to shadow magic enhancement that he'd been unable to think of anything else since.More accurately, he'd been unable to think of anyone else who should wear it.This is foolish, he told himself for the dozenth time that morning, yet his fingers remained fixed around the case as he made his way through Shadoweave's corridors toward Xalara's study. A pendant is a practical gift. Enhanced protection, magical amplification—perfectly reasonable considerations for someone whose safety has become a political target.The rationalization felt hollow even as he formed it. Three weeks had passed since Kaelis's investigation had vindicated Xalara completely, yet external

CHAPTER EIGHTEENCassian's EscalationCassian Holt stood before the enchanted mirror in his private study, hardly recognizing the man who stared back at him. Three weeks had passed since his return from the territorial summit at Shadoweave, and the evidence of his deterioration was written in every line of his face. Dark circles shadowed his amber eyes, his copper hair hung lank and unkempt, and his once-immaculate formal attire bore the wrinkles of a man who had forgotten the importance of appearances.When did I stop caring how I look? Father would be appalled. Vionna certainly is.The bond with Xalara pulsed in his chest—stronger now since their brief proximity at the summit, refusing to fade despite the weeks of separation that should have weakened it to nothing. If anything, seeing her transformed, confident, thriving in Elaric's domain had only intensified the ache where their connection resided.He turned away from his reflection with disgust, moving to the elaborate desk where

CHAPTER TWENTYSabotage IntensifiesConsciousness returned in fragments, like light filtering through water.Xalara's first awareness was of softness—silk sheets that whispered against her skin, down pillows that cradled her head with impossible gentleness. So different from the hard stone of the meditation pavilion where she last remembered being, where the attack had...The attack.Memory flooded back in a rush that left her gasping—the Zoryn mages, their manipulation spell, the catastrophic backfire that had torn through her like lightning through a tree. And then...The kiss.Her fingers flew to her lips, the memory so vivid she could still feel the desperate press of Elaric's mouth against hers, the shadow magic that had wrapped around them both, the taste of his anguish and something deeper, something that made her chest tighten with emotions she had no name for.Was it real? Or fever dream from dying?"Lady Xalara." The voice belonged to Master Vaelis, House Nox's chief healer,