His Shadow, My Chains / Chapter 7: A Name Written in Blood
His Shadow, My Chains

His Shadow, My Chains

Author: Kristen Chambers

Chapter 7: A Name Written in Blood

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He leaned in, close to my face. “Disappointed in me, huh? Too bad. This is all that’s left—the Eli you knew died under Grant years ago.” His breath was warm, and I felt my resolve waver.

“No.” I surprised myself with how firm I sounded.

“What?” He looked at me, not believing it.

“I’m not disappointed. As long as you live, the manor stays stable. If you die, the power struggle will tear everything apart, and the people will suffer. Surviving is already a victory.” I fumbled for words, but I meant them.

He was just inches away. I could feel his breath, see the flush on his ears. The vulnerability in his eyes made my heart ache.

He looked away, coughed, grabbed a piece of paper, licked his pen, and wrote two letters. Then he yanked me onto the throne beside him. The seat was warm. His arm wrapped around my waist.

I tried to get up, but he pulled me back, arm tight around me. His grip was strong, but not mean.

“Don’t move. There’s no one here. What’s there to be scared of?” His voice was soft, almost teasing.

He pointed at the letters. “That’s your name. Let me teach you to write it.” His eyes sparkled, like he was letting me in on a secret.

“You’re not mad about the name?” I asked, barely daring to hope.

He knew I meant the Lady Julia thing. The memory still stung, but I tried to let it go.

He stuffed the pen into my hand, covering it with his own. His touch was steady, grounding.

“Not at all. Didn’t I say Lady Julia picked a great name? Every time I say it, it cheers me up.” His smile was real, and I felt something lift inside me.

Is that what he meant? Why did I always think he was threatening me? I shook my head, letting the confusion go.

Hand in hand, we wrote ‘Jamie’ over and over. Then, close to my ear, he whispered, “Remember, that’s your real name.” His breath was warm. I shivered.

He thought I couldn’t read and changed the spelling, thinking I wouldn’t notice. I smiled to myself, letting him have his secret.

I nodded along, and suddenly felt his hand on my cheek—warm, gentle. I leaned in without thinking.

I turned—he kissed me. The world fell away, and for a moment, it was just us.

I didn’t know if it was salvation or the start of something worse.

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