Chapter 5
My mouth parts as I take in the dark kingdom in front of us. “Everything is about to change.”
He jerks his chin in a nod. “Everything.”
The ship’s wooden hull groans as we approach the shore.
Our surroundings quickly fill with the sounds of the ship coming to a stop.
The crew below begins to hustle, ensuring each deck area is prepared for our arrival.
I grab Silas’s hand while Larkin heads off to assist the others below, shifting into a bright light of mist. A loud splash catches my attention as the ship’s anchor drops with a sharp clang, followed by the sound of it settling on the bottom.
The thick air holds an unsettling stillness as we prepare for what’s next.
Silas inhales deeply, holding his breath momentarily—as if to steady his pounding heart. “We should head down.”
I lean in, pressing my lips against his, wanting that connection before the chaos begins. Silas kisses me back, deep and slow. We linger in this moment before I pull away. My heart races, and anticipation settles into my veins, causing my shadows to bubble, as if preparing to defend.
“Silas…” I gaze into his troubled eyes. “I am yours, and you are mine.”
“I am yours, and you are mine.” He breaks his stare, looking toward the kingdom—as if staring into the eyes of the civillians. “They will know that.”
My feet hit the solid ground for the first time in what feels like years, and a soft groan leaves my lips.
Though I stand firm, a rocking sensation moves through my body, and will likely remain in the weeks to come.
Maines, Oak, and Silas stand by my side as we stay on the pier, while Rose remains on the ship with Captain Darcy and Myah.
She’ll come to the castle once we call for her—once we ensure it’s safe.
No one is around.
Even though the vast sea crashes at our backs, the breeze seemingly dies around us.
Warrick, Fen, and the others remain on the boat—likely giving the crew last-minute orders—and I find myself wishing Fen were with us to guide the way.
Silas has been gone for months, and the unknown of what lies ahead causes my insides to throb, like small bursts of electricity in my veins.
“Where is everyone?” Oak asks, with a shaky breath.
“Don’t.” Silas cautions, motioning for us to stop. “Speak.”
My hands tremble slightly, but I remain upright, my shoulders squared and my chin high. Looking horrified won't make a great first impression, since I’m here to win these people over, so I harden my face and walk confidently next to the others.
We take a moment to look around. The town before us is quiet, evoking an abandoned feel that hangs over the dark kingdom.
With no one in sight, the unsettling feeling becomes unbearable.
Even though my demeanor may give the impression that I’m not afraid, my insides vibrate with anxiety.
I’m expecting someone to emerge from the alley at any second and drag me into the darkness.
The townhouses are constructed from weathered stones and dark timber, allowing them to blend into the surrounding darkness.
The architecture is haunting, yet still stunning and elegant.
I continue to scan my surroundings, and my jaw slacks when I notice the tall castle in the distance, turrets encased in clouds.
The tall houses share similar points to the castle, like the entire town was built cohesively. A crest of two small golden serpents marks each home on the wide, wooden doors. I'm not sure if it is a warning or an invitation, but they match the snakes that sit upon Silas’s armor.
The homes vary in size, likely depending on status, but the weathered black stones shine in the sun's dim light.
Dark green vines snake up each home, some flowing directly into the windows—as if the outside world is desperate for shelter from the kingdom around it.
Large windows sit at the front of the homes, reflecting the sea that surrounds them.
Like Daramveer, a dense forest envelops the rear of the kingdom, and the iron gate does not separate the castle from the town—it keeps the kingdom apart from the forest. I can’t help but wonder what they are trying to conceal in the shadowy forest of Andorwood, or who?
I look toward the large cliffs we narrowly escaped only hours before, noting a dark house overlooking the kingdom, which isn’t separated from the forest by a gate.
I turn to Silas to ask, when a gust of wind blocks my vision for a moment, nearly knocking me off balance.
I hear Maines curse under her breath, and I grab Silas’s hand to steady myself.
When my eyes open, a crowd of people stands before us—as if they all shifted at once.
A gasp escapes my lips in sudden shock. My eyes dart from person to person, and I widen my stance, prepared to fight if necessary.
The gold axes hum against my back, and I clench my fists, ready to reach for them.
From what I know about Andorwood, these people won’t be pleased that Silas has brought company.
It also doesn’t help that my reputation has already spread this far.
Silas steps forward, making quite the entrance for himself as his shadows ripple around him like a shield. His dark hair flows as the magical breeze he’s created from pure power and emotion grows around us.
The Prince of Andorwood has returned.
The ground vibrates around him, welcoming him home at last, as he lowers his chin, challenging the people surrounding us. They collectively take a step back as they realize who stands before them.
No one moves, and not a single breath escapes.
The world silences.
The breeze stops, and Silas steps forward once more.
“Wielders of Andorwood!” Silas shouts.
His deep voice booms like thunder, and another tremor moves throughout the kingdom.
The crowd stares for a moment—no movement, no breathing—before erupting into a roaring boom of cheers.
My ears ring from the startling celebration—shouts, growls, and metal clang together over the noise of the cheers.
My jaw drops, and I scan the crowd before us.
The return of their prince didn’t lead to an epic battle on the dock of Andorwood.
On the contrary, his people are thrilled about his return.
I snap my gaze to Silas, who is now looking directly at me. He wants to gauge my reaction, and from the awestruck look on my face, he knows we didn’t anticipate this. I glance at Maines and Oak, feeling comforted to see their expressions mirror mine.
Fenmore and Warrick approach, joining us on the dock.
“Show off,” Fen whispers in my ear, standing beside me. “Not what you were expecting?” She angles her head.
“I’m not sure,” I respond.
“Don’t let this fool you.” She leans closer. “There are people in this crowd that aren’t what they seem.”
I peel my gaze from the crowd and look at her.
“Keep your guard up,” she whispers. “They are here because they are fearful.”
I tilt my head, looking at her questioningly. “Of Silas?”
“And my father.”
Unable to respond, I turn to look over the crowd, none of them taking their eyes off Silas. Deep down, I can feel my darkness bubbling up in defensive mode. I swallow hard, choking back the feeling of losing control.
Those standing before me aren’t monstrous; instead, they are a sea of striking individuals.
Dark and light hair intertwine while shadows and electricity dance in the sky, as if their powers are interconnected.
I know this reaction stems from their prince’s return, but I can’t help but think—why are they so fearful?
What would this welcome be like had someone inadvertently stumbled onto the pier? They’re a trained kingdom, an army capable of moving in unison to sweep away the masses if provoked.
“My father isn’t here,” Fen speaks again, still whispering. “He’ll be waiting for us to arrive at the castle.”
The cheers fade, and the crowd parts to let us pass.
Silas takes my hand, prompting a few huffs from those around us. Maines and Oak step forward, hand in hand, staying as close to us as possible. Fenmore paves the way through town with Warrick bringing up the rear. They surround us, for who knows what these people might try to do to outsiders.
“Keep close,” Warrick’s rough voice echoes.
Fen keeps a quick footing about her, weaving through the few people left standing in the streets who are curious about our arrival. Whispers echo through the alleys as we pass, and I can’t help but hear what they say about me.
She’ll destroy us all.
Go back to Daramveer, you possessed bitch.
Anger and shame run through me like a chilled breeze. Silas grips my hand tighter, quickening his steps but otherwise not reacting.
“Don’t listen to them. Right now, we need to get you inside the castle grounds,” Silas warns. “Nightfall is coming. I can deal with them later.”
“There isn’t even a gate to keep them from entering the grounds,” I reply. “How do you know I’ll be safe there?”
“They know better,” Silas replies, his voice deepening to a growl.
We continue down the streets of Andorwood, Maines and Oak staying close. The sun dips low behind the clouds, casting a muted glow around us, and as its warmth begins to disappear, causing a cold chill to run up my spine. Silas notices my shiver and moves closer as we near the castle.
“Briar,” Maines starts, coming up behind me. “What the fuck was that welcome?”
I cut my eyes toward her and raise my shoulders. “I’m not sure yet.”
I peer at Silas, but his stern gaze is trained forward, as if he’s trying to see through the castle walls to see where Malachi is. Candlelight flickers in the castle windows, and I swear I see shadows passing by each window as we approach.
“Are you alright?” I ask, moving into his body.
“I’ll explain soon,” Silas replies sharply, pulling me against him. “Keep quiet. Just a moment longer.”
The town's cobblestone streets end as we reach the castle grounds. The castle looms above us like a dark fortress of shadows, and its sheer size leaves me speechless. The vast size of both the castle and the mountains behind it are intimidating.
As I scan the area, I notice that there are no guards stationed outside the castle to protect those inside. My brows furrow.
At least my father had guards around the castle grounds.
I turn back to see Maines and Oak having a hushed conversation, likely about the same thought I just had. We move quickly across the large courtyard, each step soundless in the dimming light.
“Silas,” I say hesitantly, squeezing his hand. “Where are the guards? Who protects the cas—” I trail off, an unfamiliar tingle of nerves moving through me.
The grass rustles as a cold breeze blows by, racing past me. I turn to find Oak, Maines, and Warrick moving forward with ease, not noticing the change in the air.
The chilled breeze whips past us again, and I tighten my grip on Silas’s hand. He returns the squeeze and quickens his pace, pulling me forward, as if he also notices the shift around us. Unease fills my stomach, and my hair stands on end as I shudder, the darkness within me perking up.
“Something isn’t right,” I whisper to Silas.
He slowly pans his gaze to mine, feeling the shift, and his eyes widen.
A low growl sounds behind me, and my hair moves in the gentle breeze. I flinch so hard that I fear my neck will snap.
“Fuck,” I curse, louder than intended from the scare.
“Don’t acknowledge it.” Silas tugs my hand away from the sounds. “Keep moving and get inside the castle. Now.”
Goosebumps cover my entire body, and I quicken my pace, still feeling the hot breath of something upon me, like I’m being hunted by something I can’t see.
“Fenmore,” Silas shouts. “Inside. Right now.”
She turns instantly, grabbing my arm to pull me away from Silas. I try to object, but the growing unease pushes me to distance myself from Silas to get inside the castle walls.
I allow a few steps to separate us, and I watch Silas seethe at the darkness around us.
He shifts into a shadowy mist. Confusion curls my brow as I hear the noise again, except this time it’s faint, as if it’s following something—or someone.
I freeze, paralyzed by my fear. My mind snaps back, bringing a faint memory of a similar creature to the surface.
“Get inside,” Warrick’s voice booms.
Warrick moves close behind, pushing Oak and Maines into the towering castle seconds later. The ancient black walls of the castle crowd around us as we enter a small hallway just off the courtyard.
“Where is Silas?” I demand.
“Likely saving your life,” Fen says casually, grabbing my hand to force me forward.
“What the fuck was that thing?” Maines cuts in.
“Andorwood guards. Annoying fucking things,” Warrick grumbles. “I can only assume they sensed what dwells inside Briar.”
“And they were going to attack?” Maines asks.
“They aren’t supposed to harm us, being who we are. Only outsiders,” Warrick explains. “But to them, you seem… dangerous.”
Maines grimaces.
Warrick cuts his gaze to mine. “Especially her.”
I keep my stare harsh, but focused.
“She is dangerous,” Oak says, abruptly. “You don’t want to piss her off.”
Fen huffs a laugh and angles her head toward Oak. “Well, aren’t you honest?”
He smiles, and she responds with a gentle curl of her lips, her eyes shimmering in the soft flicker of the torches.
Maines watches their interaction closely, and I study her. Her brows furrow as she observes Oak smile toward Fen. Jealousy burns in her eyes, and I’m tempted to touch her arm to bring her back to reality. Oak turns his gaze toward Maines and slides his hand into hers, squeezing gently.
Fen’s eyes cut to their hands wrapping around one another, and she smiles once more, turning her back to them.
I glance back down the long hallway, hoping to see Silas approaching, but instead I’m met with darkness. Fen’s voice pulls my attention forward, interrupting my thoughts.
“Come on.” Fen continues moving through the hallway. “Silas will be a while.” She urges us forward and waves her hand. “I’ll show you to your rooms. Dinner will be ready soon.”