Shadows: Book One of the Eligia Shala Read Online Free

Salanova. No-one need ever know I got there on my own.” Catching the look on his face, Jenevra subsided, allowing herself to be marched into the inn, directly up to the officer pacing moodily in front of the hearth.
    “Captain,” Brogan started to explain, but was cut short.
    “You, boy, are starting to get on my nerves,” Captain Tessier poked a finger at the princess’s chest. “I’ve a good mind to clap you in irons and you can see how a spell in the dungeons in Salanova suits you.”
    Jenevra’s eyes narrowed at the finger prodding her. “Move it, or lose it.”
    “What?” Tessier’s voice rose angrily.
    Attempting to avert disaster, Lieutenant Crevaux stepped between them, gesturing at Sergeant Brogan to make the necessary introductions.
    “Captain,” Brogan announced loudly. “I have the honor to present Her Imperial Highness, Princess Saphila Jenevra Couressime. Princess, I present Captain Tessier.”
    Jenevra smiled rather sardonically at Sergeant Brogan, even as she held out her hand, with chipped fingernails, for a stunned Captain Tessier to kiss—as befits an Imperial Princess. “Thanks, Sarge,” she said.
    “Oh, gods,” Brogan said again, catching the look on his captain’s face.

    Embarrassed beyond belief, Captain Tessier took the first opportunity to leave the inn, ostensibly to check on the men stationed elsewhere in the town; in reality, he needed time for him temper to cool. Lieutenant Crevaux took the chance to speak to the princess, asking her why she hadn’t introduced herself straightaway to the Flight.
    Jenevra sighed. “I don’t really know.” Her eyes went distant for a moment. “I guess it’s just that I’ve been away so long. I don’t even feel like an Imperial Princess, much less act like one again. Although, there are plenty of the Imperial family who would tell you that I never did act like a Princess. Brogan would tell you too.”
    “How do Brogan and Bernardo know you, Your Highness?”
    “Can we dispense with the ‘Highnesses’, please?” Jenevra looked round for Sergeant Brogan but he was nowhere to be seen. “Brogan’s known me for years,” she began to explain. “When I was really small I would try to get out of the Palace, and as often as I could, I’d follow the Border Patrol. Commander Rabenaldt was their Captain then, and I’ve known him since I can remember, so I would try to follow him. It usually ended up with Brogan and Bernardo having to take me back to the Palace.” She smiled gently then. “I’m surprised they didn’t grow to hate me; always getting stuck with chasing a small child round the Palace … but they never did. They always looked out for me. There are few people I trust as much as I trust them.” She shook her head. “It’s a good thing they were here to identify me to your Captain. I don’t think he’d have believed me if I’d told him.”
    Sharing a smile, Lieutenant Crevaux chuckled quietly. “No, I think you really managed to shake him. He’s usually very calm and collected. He’s an excellent Captain,” he added loyally.

    Jenevra found that by early evening she was exhausted. It was the most company she had been in for such a very long time, and simply the volume of that many people in one room was overwhelming. Excusing herself, she wandered upstairs to her room. A brief note, pushed under her door a few minutes later, was her only communication from the Captain, informing her that they would be leaving the following morning, whatever the weather conditions. Holding the very edge of the paper into the fire, she watched as the note burned, fiery motes flying up the chimney and into the frosty night.

    The ride to Salanova was uneventful. Captain Tessier rode at the head of the Flight, insisting that the princess should ride in the middle of the column for protection, much to her frustration. Already the feelings of being surrounded and trapped were growing in her, and her temper was fraying