Page 52 of Isle of Beasts and Shadows

Sirius carefully placed the stranger’s soul underneath his cloak, ensuring its safety. He cradled the empty husk in his arms, surrounded by the eerie silence of the abandoned hall. Gently, he covered the stranger’s eyes with his fingers, his own eyes glowing a mesmerizing yellow. A rush of air escaped his lips as Sirius transformed into a swirling black mist that merged effortlessly through the stranger’s parted mouth. As he opened his eyes, they were now housed in the unfamiliar body he had chosen.

Standing before Airella, Sirius felt the urge to explain his clandestine actions. “I seized a moment to gather intel on the ball from a couple of unsuspecting soldiers. Now, here’s theplan.” Sirius grasped Airella’s arm, leading her to a secluded spot for their conversation. “The king will seat the princess beside him on the throne. When she takes to the ballroom floor, a queue of eager suitors will form. I will position myself to dance with her, and that’s when I’ll explain the circumstances we’re stuck under. We can’t take long because as soon as this party is over, that ship is sailing.”

“What do we do? Wait?” Airella whispered into Sirius’s ear, her voice barely audible over the jubilant sounds of the dancing crowd. Sirius observed Duran, noticing how he nervously toyed with his fingers while engaging in small talk with the ladies. Their eyes met, and suddenly, time seemed to slow down, enveloping them in a cocoon of silence.

“Airella, stay composed and act natural,” Sirius reassured her, linking his arm with hers as Duran approached. A forced smile played on Duran’s lips, betraying his irritation at their presence.

“Hello. I don’t believe we’ve met,” Duran greeted them, extending his hand in a gesture of welcome. Sirius took it and gave him a firm handshake.

Duran’s expression turned slightly stern as he shifted his focus to Airella. “And you, Madam, what might your name be?” His gaze was intense, almost predatory. Sirius sensed Airella’s unease and swiftly responded to her.

“Her name is Isabella,” Sirius said softly, attempting to push aside the thought that he had given her a name that seemed all too ordinary and familiar. “She’s very reserved.”

“I apologize for the inconvenience, but I must know your name before I depart. We can’t simply allow uninvited guests to stroll into the palace as if it were a common occurrence.”The man seemed insistent on learning Sirius’s name, his tone betraying a sense of urgency. Sirius could sense the tension but remained composed for Airella’s sake.

“Hugh Regaldi,” Sirius replied, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

Duran shot him a menacing look before strolling away nonchalantly. Sirius couldn’t shake off the feeling of unease; Duran was not to be trusted. It wasn’t clear if he was currently being possessed by Father.

“Are you alright?” Sirius inquired, seeing Airella look up at him through dark lashes, her cheeks flushed a shade akin to that of a deep red wine.

“No, Sirius, I’m not alright,” she bared her teeth, her voice shaking with quiet anger. “My mother is dead and Arii is being held hostage. Because of him.”

“I know, I know. We ought to dance; otherwise, we might continue to draw unwanted attention from the guards,” Sirius suggested calmly, taking her hand as they observed the other guests twirling to the rhythm of the music.

Studying the dancers’ movements closely, he did his best to mimic their steps, ensuring they blended in seamlessly. As his gaze met Airella’s uniquely colored eyes, unaffected by the illusion created by the potion thanks to his acknowledgment that she had drank it, he beheld her as he always had, albeit now adorned in a stunning blue ball gown.

“Do you know how to dance?” She questioned, her voice barely audible through the music filling the ballroom. Her mind wandered as she pieced together the fact that he had been isolated on the island from the moment he took his first breath.

“How hard could it be?” Sirius swept Airella into his arms without a word, the soft music guiding their every step. His movements weren’t as precise as everyone else’s, but they were just as elegant.

As they glided across the floor, a magical aura enveloped them, weaving a tale of love in every movement. His touch was gentle yet firm, leading her with an enchanting grace that seemed to transcend time itself.

In that moment, they were not just two individuals dancing, but souls intertwined in a celestial waltz, their hearts beating as one. The world around them faded away, leaving only the dance floor as their enchanted realm. Each step they took echoed with the promise of a timeless love story, igniting a passion that would blaze through the ages. And as they danced, the universe itself seemed to hold its breath, captivated by the ethereal beauty of their shared moment.

A spark of sensation overcame Sirius. He was learning something that humans have done for generations. If this truly were a fairy tale, this dance would be the moment where the two lovers would prepare to achieve their happily ever after.

However, this wasn’t one of those moments.

“I knew it wouldn’t be that difficult,” Sirius remarked with a confident grin, feeling a warm sensation as he gently pulled her closer. A smile naturally formed on his lips, his eyes reflecting a sense of pride in her progress.

“Either that or you’re just a fast learner,” she playfully retorted, returning his smile with a hint of admiration in her eyes.

The small orchestra, with their instruments poised, gradually faded into silence as a diminutive man, adorned inostentatious attire, confidently strode to the forefront before the resplendent throne, effortlessly capturing the attention of the assembled guests.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you His Majesty, King William, and Her Highness, Princess Thea!” the announcer’s voice resonated through the grand hall, drawing all eyes towards the imposing figures who entered through the magnificent doors. Princess Thea gracefully took her seat, a vision of elegance, while King William, exuding authority, remained standing, his presence commanding the room.

“Loyal citizens of Eldaraya,” the king announced proudly, his voice carrying across the crowd, “I am thrilled to share a momentous discovery with you all. We have stumbled upon a pristine island nestled off the coast of our beloved kingdom. This newfound land shall serve as an extension of our realm, a sanctuary for those seeking a new place to call home.”

As the monarch’s gaze swept over the assembled crowd, his expression darkened, and he locked eyes with Sirius, a sense of disappointment clear in his features. Sirius felt a lump form in his throat as tension gripped the air.

“Regrettably,” the king continued, his voice tinged with gravity, “I must address a pressing concern that has breached our kingdom’s defenses,” the king continued, his voice tinged with gravity. “Two fugitives are among us, threatening our peace and security. One of them is known as Sirius, his surname unknown to us, while the other goes by the name Airella Devereaux.”

A sharp intake of breath rippled through the crowd at the mention of Airella’s name, the daughter of the esteemed Lysander Devereaux. People labeled her a witch for herextraordinary physical prowess and multi-colored eyes that matched her father’s.

“Airella’s associate,” the king continued, his tone unwavering, “is a peculiar, slender figure with alabaster hair and piercing yellow eyes. Should you encounter either of these individuals, I urge you to report their whereabouts at once.”

Seating himself beside his daughter on the ornate throne, the king raised a goblet of wine to his lips, the flicker of determination in his eyes unmistakable. “These malefactors seek to disrupt our harmonious existence and impede our journey to the new land. But let us not dwell on their mischief tonight. I cordially invite all eligible gentlemen to partake in a dance with my daughter.” With a resounding clap of his hands, the king signaled the commencement of the evening’s festivities.

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