Read Ever Shade for Free Online

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    “Dear Braelynn, yes please, I would be honored if you would accompany Shade on this quest. I just heard you have become a great sorceress from apprentice. I am pleased that you have passed your trials with exceptional grace.” She nodded in approval and turned to face Ilarial and Shade. “Dearest Shade, I am indebted to you now. Please, get some rest and some food, you will need it, tomorrow the quest begins.” She then bowed and turned to leave, moving to the right and leaving the great room to walk down a corridor, without any further instructions for Shade.
    Now what? Shade felt panic rise in her throat. How could she get out of this? What would her mother say? Her mother, she must be so worried. She turned and stared at Ilarial and Jack, both softly discussing something to each other. It all felt so surreal.
    Ilarial reached over and took Shade’s hands. They felt comforting to her. She motioned her to follow. “I know this is very overwhelming for you. I cannot make you feel more at ease, but I do hope that I can answer any questions you have. But first, of course, let’s eat, it is late and tomorrow’s journey will be long and tedious. We should join your entourage and get to know them, they will be vital to your safety.”
    She ushered Shade down another corridor that opened to yet another large area, where many people were already sitting at wooden tables. They were eating a variety of vegetables, fruits, breads and meats. Shade’s stomach grumbled with desire, she had forgotten already how sick she felt not a moment ago; and now all she could think about was food!
    She followed Ilarial to one of the great banquet tables. It looked extravagant. She pulled a plate from a stack, much like a buffet style, and handed it to Shade. Her new entourage of friends were following close behind; they piling berries, meats and veggies high on their plates.
    When she was done filling her plate to the brim and accepting a drink from a friendly lady who was handing out stone cups of fruit juice, she followed the group to a far area to the left in the banquet hall. They all sat down and began to dig into their meals, as if they had never been fed. Shade included. She had inhaled most her food as she glanced at everyone. She began evaluating them with an inquisitive eye, noting how different they all seemed to be. She couldn’t remember their names. She was feeling too stressed to concentrate on that; and being hungry didn’t help the memory either. She listened to all of them chatting, murmurs of conversations and laughs rang through her ears and filled the great hall.
    One of the warriors, with the honey-brown, long hair, swept some strands of hair off his face, catching her eye. He was smiling deeply and laughing at whatever joke Jack had been telling. He chewed his food and talked with his mouth full, it added to his charm. He had stopped chewing once he noticed her watching him. Her cheeks flushed, as she turned her head and quickly took a bite a food. As she was about to immerse herself in another mouthful he winked at her.
    “Ilarial?” She spoke softly to the oracle beside her.
    “Yes, dear Shade?”
    “I was just wondering. Does everyone have secret powers like Jack? He showed me what is under his glamour. I wondered if everyone here wears glamour too?” Shade was looking at her peers as she spoke, they were still emerged in their conversations and all of their faces seemed so different.
    Ilarial paused thoughtfully and glanced at the crew also. She seemed to hesitate, but not for long. Her small mouth slowly chewed her last bite of food. She fixed her gleaming grey eyes upon Shade; a warm smile slowly spread across her face and now appeared less nervous.
    “Shade, I’m surprised that Jack has already let you know what he is. He is usually wary of strangers. Some refuse to use any kind glamour and do not venture into the human world, such as Renny. I believe you have met him; he is one of the guards of