Chapter 12
The guards supposedly watching me didn’t even notice me leaving the Great Room, distracted by the buzz of the party.
This castle used to host many gatherings like tonight’s.
Crowds and music would fill these walls until the late hours of the night.
As a child, I often would sneak out of my room to watch people stumble around the castle grounds, disappearing into the night and dreaming of when I would be old enough to attend.
Now, I’m desperate to get far away from anything related to this celebration.
My senses come alive at the feeling of someone behind me. “Wouldn’t you rather be at the party than follow me around all the time?” I hiss over my shoulder, hoping the guards halt in embarrassment.
To my surprise, Rohhit Harte stands behind me, his hands tucked into his beautifully tailored clothing. “Hello, Briar. We didn’t have the official honor of meeting properly. I saw you leaving, so I wanted to introduce myself before you retired for the night.”
The Prince of Eddris smiles, and I’m speechless.
He is unlike any man I’ve seen before. His ice-white hair against his midnight black eyes that twinkle with each breath sends excitement through my body.
Many Lumor Wielders live in Daramveer, but none like this.
Eddris was known for housing some of the most beautiful people in the world, and he does not disappoint.
The prince has a sense of light in the way a sense of light as if he floats on air—yet something about him makes me cautious, my darkness on alert.
“Hello, Prince, it is nice to formally meet you as well,” is all I manage to squeak out as I continue to stand frozen in his presence.
What the hell is wrong with me? Speak, Briar.
“I’m most looking forward to getting to know you better, Briar. Your beauty is well known across many kingdoms, but I can assure you, the rumors don’t do you justice.”
My face reddens at the compliment. “Thank you, Rohhit. I’m glad you won’t be subjected to marrying a hag.” I can’t help but grin.
He laughs, “If the Gods grace me with enough luck to marry you, that is.” I don’t answer as he stares, studying me for a second longer. “Very well, Princess. Good night.” He bows before spinning on his heels and making his way back into the crowd.
I storm into my room, the door slamming against the stone wall, then shutting behind me as I collapse face down on the cool sheets.
My room is insignificant compared to the other areas in the castle I could have chosen, but I prefer this chamber.
It’s smaller and has fewer spaces for shadows to lurk.
My oversized bed sits against the back wall closest to the window.
The wooden headboard is lined with vines carved in the oak to perfection, while the heavy crimson curtains give the room an eerie tint.
My senses, already on high alert, tingle as something shifts through my room. Standing, I rip the slit of my dress back, exposing the dagger strapped to my thigh—I grab the decorated hilt when I feel his presence.
Silas Nastronde lounges around the fire, his feet propped on the edge of my favorite chair.
“That’s an antique,” I hiss, the dagger fully unsheathed now. “What the fuck are you doing in my room?”
He chuckles, his piercing eyes traveling to mine. “Those are such filthy words to be coming out of the mouth of a princess, don’t you think.”
I grip the dagger firmly as he stands. His large body towers over mine, the top of my head barely reaching his chest. I refuse to back down, not in my own room. He steps backward, his back flush against the stone wall and his muscular chest directly in my sight as I point the blade at his throat.
Even though I could slit his throat at any second, his chest rises and falls steadily, showing no signs of fear.
“I’ll ask you again. What are you doing in my room?”
He remains utterly unfazed by the dagger now pressing into his olive skin. “Is that how you greet all your new acquaintances? By pushing them against a wall?”
“Only the ones who break into my bedroom,” I reply.
He leans closer to me. “Should I greet you the same way then, Briar Blackbyrne?”
My cheeks redden, and my gaze drifts to his chest at my eye level.
I am instantly curious when I spot a few small scars peeking out from the top of his shirt.
A flicker of emotion crosses his eyes for just a second, too brief for me to decipher what he's thinking. In an instant, his entire demeanor shifts as if he’s just becoming aware of how close we really are.
He blinks and hesitation laces his tone. “I can’t believe it's you.”
My heart skips a beat, and I lower the weapon. Stepping back a few paces, my head tilts to the side, “What are you talking about?”
Ignoring my questions, he responds, “I traveled a long way from Andorwood to meet you. I didn’t think you’d have a dagger at my throat so soon.
” Silas looks down, our eyes meeting once more.
“Plus, I saw how bored you were speaking with Rohhit in the hallway, so I thought I’d provide you some entertainment when you arrived back to your room. ”
Like mine, Silas’s father, Malachi, has interesting punishment tactics.
As a child, Silas made a name for himself, winning fights and defeating grown men who were much larger than he was.
He was known to be ruthless and reckless, in addition to being ferociously handsome.
Many women would risk their lives moving to Andorwood for a husband like him, and something about his voice lingers in my mind like a pleasurable melody.
He was powerful, strong, and dangerous when provoked.
“No thanks.” I bite my tongue, “I’ve had of enough men telling me what I can and cannot do for the night.”
He stares longingly into my eyes as I refuse to break my stare. I feel a familiarity with him that immediately piques my interest.
“Now, please get the hell out of my room before I call the guards or handle you myself,” I caution, pointing the dagger back in his direction.
He pushes off the wall, closing the small distance between us.
“I’m pretty sure we’re here fighting for your hand in marriage because your father doubts his own guards and wants to grow Daramveer’s army.
I can promise you I’m not afraid of them.
” His eyes travel down my body, sending a thrill through my core.
“You, on the other hand—you frighten me, Briar Blackbyrne.”
Shadows flicker off his body like shooting stars as he winks, walking toward the door. “Oh, and I’d watch yourself around Rohhit if I were you. Don’t get too attached. Haven’t you always heard that nice guys finish last? Where’s the fun in that?” He shifts, leaving a trail of shadows in his wake.
Tonight has been enough, and I am ready to fall into the nothingness that my sleep has blessed me with these past few nights.
I strip off my dress, leaving only my bare body and a dagger on the sheets.
I close my eyes and welcome the darkness of sleep—the only darkness I haven’t minded in these past few days. I’ll need rest for what’s coming.
Black flames devour the world around me.
I stand before a group of figures I once knew, no longer in control.
The power flowing through me feels familiar but foreign.
My eyes look down to see my brother lying in a pool of blood I created.
Here, I killed my brother, and I know deep down he’s not alive in either world I visit anymore.
I glance toward the castle of Daramveer, ash billowing into the skies.
Thatcher holds my hand as I try to scream, the black flames taking over once more, not allowing my voice to break through.
Briar!
The voice screams in the distance as I try to run in its direction, but I am stopped by Thatcher’s grip.
“Finish this,” he screams.
Black fire shoots from my palms toward the figures before us, colliding with a boom that rattles my entire body.
The smoke clears as I blink through the haze to find no one remains.
I fall to my knees, desperate to be awoken from this nightmare, as Thatcher rips my hair back, exposing my neck.
“You are weak. You must fight. Let the darkness loose, you coward.”
He throws me on the ground. Anger floods my chest as I stand, the darkness turning on him. “You will pay for all the hurt you’ve caused in this world and others. I promise.”
Covered in sweat, I jolt awake.
“I’m Briar Blackbyrne, and I live in Daramveer,” I say aloud, regaining my composure. Scanning my room, I notice a note, likely pushed under the small crack of the door, lying in the middle of the floor. I leap from the bed, the sheet traveling with me.
“Today’s first task – archery. 3 pm. Do not be late.”