Page 49 of Lady of Shadows

“Because I am trying to keep you safe, Callan. I am trying to protect you. It is all to keep you safe.”

“I did not ask you to keep me safe,” he answered, his voice low and gruff. “I would rather be by your side on your adventures than behind you in your protection.” When she did not reply, he continued. “You know why I asked you to dance tonight, Scarlett?” She brought her eyes back to his. “I asked you to dance because this is the first time I have been allowed to have a private conversation with you, and even now, it is in front of hundreds and being monitored by his Court.” Scarlett swallowed. “You have nothing to say?”

“I am sorry, Callan,” she said, her eyes going to the floor.

“No, that is not enough,” Callan said, shaking his head. “Look at me, Scarlett Monhroe. Look at me and tell me why you allow him to help you and see all of you and not me. What has he done that has allowed him such an honor?”

She slowly brought her eyes back to his. Her shadows slithered around her wrists and hands, hovering just within a breath of Callan’s own. He went slightly rigid, his eyes widening. She could see Finn and Sloan out of the corner of her eye, making their way through the crowd to them. Cyrus had shoved the drinks into the hands of the male and was doing the same. Without missing a beat in the dance that was coming to an end, she stepped closer to Callan. “My answer has not changed since the day you asked me on the journey here. He understands my darkness, Callan, and he does not fear it,” she said, her voice low. “He has never once looked at me with the unease I see in your eyes. He does not have guards coming to protect him from me.”

“Cyrus is making his way here, too,” Callan countered.

“Cyrus is making his way here to guardyou, Prince.” Her shadows crept forward once more, but then ashes and cloves and cedar wrapped around her.

“May I steal her for the next dance, Crown Prince?”

Her shadows paused as the song ended. Callan’s eyes were fixed on her own behind his mask of forest green,his hands still holding her to him. She stepped in closer to him so she could whisper in his ear. “This is only a glimpse of who I am, Callan, and you can hardly stand to face it. The light is easy to love, isn’t it? But what of the darkness? What would you do with all of me?” Finn and Sloan were behind him, and she sent her shadows creeping towards them.

She felt a hand on her elbow. “Dance with me, Scarlett.”

“Yes, please quit hogging the Crown Prince all to yourself.” There was Eliza, taking Callan’s hand and pulling him away and across the hall to dance. Callan’s eyes were still on her though.

“Scarlett.”

She finally broke Callan’s stare and turned to Sorin. He was in what she had come to realize was his usual attire—charcoal gray pants, red tunic, and black jacket. His mask was red with gold and only covered his eyes.

She sighed, noting where Cyrus had stopped in the crowd when Sorin had reached her. He stood, waiting for a signal from his prince.

“You have duties to attend to Sorin. I will have Cyrus escort me back.”

“You will go be alone on a night the dead are free to roam?” A small smile graced his lips.

She did not return it.

“I feel as if I am one of them anyway. Maybe I would enjoy their company.”

Sorin’s face turned hard, and he clenched his jaw. “One dance.”

“You have people to greet and speak with, Sorin.”

“I can take a break.” He extended a hand to her as another song began, a slow paced ballad.

She sighed again and took his hand. “I do not need a keeper.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it, Princess,” he said, pulling her to him.

They danced in silence for the first minute. She felt herself gradually relax as he led her around the floor, her hand grasped gently in his and held to his chest. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“No.” She felt ice rise in her again, and a moment later heat warmed her hand.

Another beat of silence. “Numerous people have asked who you are this evening.”

“Oh? And what did you tell them?” she asked, arching a brow behind her mask.

“That you are darkness incarnate and blessed by Saylah herself,” he said with a shrug.

“You did not,” she scoffed, pinching his shoulder where her other hand rested, her mouth quirking to the side.

He grinned at her, relief seeming to pass over his eyes as he tugged her closer. She could feel every inch of him pressed up against every inch of her. “I thought of telling them you are the most stunning female in this room.”

---