Veiled Innocence (Book One, The Soul Cycle) Read Free

He belonged in a nightmare, body and soul.
    She heard stories growing up of evil spirits that could incinerate a person’s soul, easily slipping its own being into the vacant body. Stari ng at Orris, she almost would have believed it possible , had it not been such a silly notion.
    She pursed her lips and looked him head-on. “Is that so? Well, you can tell my father that –”
    “Actually, sir, it would be my honor to escort the lady to dinner,” Gabriel said quickly, stepping between them. “As captain, I’m sure you have far more important matters to attend to.”
    “How chivalrous of you. But unless I’m mistaken, you have a squadron to train, White Knight.”
    White was the next to highest rank, under gold and equal to black. At a remarkable show at last month’s trials, Gabriel had achieved the status shortly before he turned eighteen.
    Orris didn’t wait for her reply. He shoved Gabriel aside, gripped her forearm so tight she thought it would snap in half, and hooked it under his arm . It took every ounce of willpow er she had to keep from gagging. H e reeked of vern, a potent hallucinogen, and a few other foul odors she couldn’t place. “How dare you! ” she cried. “ Release me this –”
    “It’s fine, my L ady,” Gabriel said, catching her eyes and slightly sh aking his head in warning. “I shall see you soon.”  He bowed stiffly and disappeared ba ck the direction they had come.
    Orris watched him go, black eyes glittering. Without warning, he jerked her around the corner so violently that she slipped and nearly fell. He gripped her arm tighter, which she hadn’t thought possible, as he took to a brisk pace that left her practically sprinting to k eep up with his long strides.
    Within seconds, they cleared the hall and bounded up the stairs to the second story. He dragged her along like a doll the entire way. Her chambers were close, for which she was grateful because her arm was beginning to lose circulation. She squirmed, trying to wriggle free. “I think I can find my way from here. There’s no need f or you –”
    “What use does a lady have for archery?”
    “What use do es a captain have for cruelty?”
    He came to a jolting halt. Her heart skipped a beat as he yanked her arm to his chest so his face was only a few inches from hers. His eyes looked strange, almost like the pupils were tinged with fire. Not wanting to be the first to break eye contact, she resisted the urge to shake her head. It’s the torchlight playing tricks with my mind.
    He leaned close, eyes black as night. “What gives you the right to judge me, captain of the strongest army in Asilee? You’re just a bastard child birthed in a gutter by som e nameless whore. ”
    A sharp pain twisted at her heart, but she refused to acknowledge it. It seemed like minutes passed before she spoke, voice cold as ice. “Release my arm. Now.”
    Dim light gleamed off the armor resting on his skin, skin so scarred it looked more like scales. She let her eyes slide over the layers of steel until they rested on the Accalian Crest, a sword framed by large wings, adorning the chest plate over his heart. It was meant to symbolize honor and bravery. “You don’t deserve to wear it.”
    She hadn’t realized she had spoken out loud until he sucked in a tight breath. His hand went to the hilt of his sword, and for a moment she feared he would skewer her right there. Anger flaring, she lifted her chin and locked eyes with him. “I dare you. Show the world what a monster you really are.” 
    He gave her one last hard look before relaxing his hold and shoving her backward. She stumbled and rubbed her arm. Soreness was already setting in, and she was sure she would have bruises.  
    Orris stepped back and eyed her with a mixture of pity and disgust. “When are you going to stop pretending, Lianora? You’ll never be Ana-Elise.”
    Lian tensed at the m ention of her older half-sister but managed to keep her temper in check. It was a