Page 53 of Isle of Beasts and Shadows

As soon as he said to line up, Sirius did so, leaving Airella behind. As the guests gathered, Sirius felt a surge of determination coursing through him. It propelled him to swiftly navigate through the crowd, ensuring no time was wasted. The music from the orchestra created an atmosphere of urgency and anticipation.

The dance began, following the tradition of circling the area seven times. As Sirius awaited his turn to take Princess Thea’s hand, the rhythm of the music perfectly synced with the beating of his heart, his nerves palpable. Observing the other men conversing with the princess as they danced, Sirius mentally prepared himself for the imminent interaction.

Moments later, Princess Thea’s gaze met his, a warm smile gracing her lips as she extended her hand towards him. Locking eyes with her, Sirius felt a mix of nerves and determination swirling within him. As they began their first circle around the dance floor, he reminded himself of themission at hand, focusing on the task ahead while cherishing the fleeting moments of the dance.

“I need to speak with you,” Sirius spoke quietly as they continued to move to the beat of the music, the soft strains of a lute accompanying their steps. They had just finished their second circle, the ornate ballroom bathed in the warm glow of flickering candles casting dancing shadows around them.

“About what, Miscreant?” She questioned, her voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and suspicion.

Somehow, she could see right past Sirius’s facade, her keen intuition picking up on the seriousness of his demeanor. It shouldn’t have been a surprise to him, either, the weight of his words pressing on him as they now had four more circles to go.

“The island. I’ve tried explaining to your father, but I believe he’d be more reasonable when listening to you,” Sirius spoke quickly, his words urgent as he raised his hand, placing his palm against hers gently as they continued to rotate in their usual circle, the rhythm of the dance swirling around them. “The island he speaks of, it’s not safe.” They were now on their fifth circle, the music guiding their movements with a hypnotic allure.

Her stare tensed as they passed by the king, a silent acknowledgment passing between them. They danced more slowly, the urgency in Sirius’s voice prompting her to focus, for she wished to hear what he had to say. They had completed their fifth circle, with two more to go, and each step brought them closer to the key aspect.

“How so? What’s wrong?” Princess Thea’s face filled with concern, her brows furrowing in confusion as she tried to grasp the gravity of Sirius’s words. She was completely unaware ofthe situation that had been unfolding, her thoughts racing as they had one more rotation left, the weight of the impending revelation hanging in the air between them.

“Your Highness,” Sirius began, his voice laced with a mix of weariness and determination. “I’ve lived on that isolated island for what feels like an eternity. The humans who once called it home met a grim fate at the hands of the Miscreants that roam its cursed grounds. They were ruthless, claiming lives for sustenance. I am ashamed to admit, I took part in its ending. But now, I find myself in a role of protector, striving to shield the unsuspecting from meeting the same tragic end.” They completed their seventh and final circle.

A heavy silence draped over the ballroom as Sirius’s revelation sank in, the air thick with disbelief. All eyes fixated on him, their expressions a tapestry of shock and horror. The scythe he wielded caught the light, its blade gleaming ominously, contrasting against his now-pale complexion.

His gaze drifted downward, only to find the form of the boy he had inhabited sprawled at his feet. A bizarre twist of fate had seen the man’s soul escape the confines of his cloak and reclaim its vessel, leaving Sirius exposed in his true form.

Turning his attention to Airella, Sirius fought to maintain composure amidst the chaos unfolding around them. With a sense of urgency, he began planning an impromptu escape strategy.

Gripping the scythe tightly, he swung his scythe through the air, a silent signal of their impending flight. But before any plan could take shape, a sudden blur of motion disrupted the scene as Duran lunged towards him, propelling both of them into the yawning maw of the portal to Limbo.

Chapter 32

Airella stood in the shadows, her heart heavy with the weight of what she had witnessed. As the connection between Sirius and his borrowed body frayed, Airella’s illusion faded, revealing her true form. They were now exposed to the unfolding chaos.

“Cease them!” King William’s voice boomed over the cacophony of gasps and murmurs that filled the room. The crowd of astonished onlookers recoiled in fear, unsure of what to make of the sudden turn of events. But Duran was the first to react, his instincts kicking in as he lunged towards Sirius with a determined resolve.

In a swift and daring move, Sirius opened a portal to the world of Limbo, pulling Duran along with him as they both tumbled into the unknown abyss.

“Sirius!” Airella’s anguished cry pierced the air, her voice filled with a mixture of fear and determination.

As the portal shrank, threatening to disappear entirely, Airella knew she had to act fast. With a desperate resolve, she sprinted towards the dwindling gateway, her mind racing with thoughts of escape and rescue. But as she strained to reach the portal, Airella found herself abruptly seized by the guards, their iron grips clamping firmly onto her arms.

“No! Let me go!” Airella’s voice rang out in a desperate plea, her eyes desperately scanning the throng for any glimmer of aid amidst the swirling chaos that engulfed them.

At that moment, King William slowly advanced towards Airella, while the guards unceremoniously pushed her down to the ground in deference to the king. She winced in agony.

“You’ve got a lot of explaining to do,” King William cast a steely gaze towards the guards. “Escort the guests out. We’re putting an end to this celebration. Direct everyone to the waiting ships.” The soldiers swiftly carried out his orders. “And another thing, bring the girl’s brother along. If memory serves me right, he’s languishing in the dungeon. He might appreciate the chance to behold these expansive lands. Also, ensure that all the prisoners are properly accounted for. This could be an opportunity to free up space in the castle’s underground cells.” The king commanded, prompting the soldiers to swiftly usher everyone out of the palace. “Now, Airella, daughter of Lysander Devereaux, I’m certain the former commander of my forces would be utterly disappointed by your actions. You’ve flagrantly defied me and committed treason.” King William’s voice dripped with disdain as he glowered down at Airella, the guards nudging her face closer to the cold stone floor.

“Your Highness...” Airella struggled to voice her thoughts. “You must grasp the perils that lurk on that island, dangers beyond your wildest imaginings.”

“My first-in-command, Duran, says otherwise. Why would he feel the need to lie to me about such a thing?” King William laughed heartily, his booming voice echoing through the grand hall. “This is nonsense. I’m just going to make things simple.”

The guards surrounding Airella eased their grip slightly, allowing her a glimpse of the imposing figure of the king as she strained to peer past him. Behind the monarch, a few guards huddled around the almost closed portal, barely audible over the commotion were their murmurs of uncertainty.

“You’ve become quite a threat. I believe a proper hanging is in order,” declared King William, his tone unwavering. “However, it’s a special night tonight, with our sailing away celebration in full swing. Leaving you here in the dungeon would leave my castle vulnerable, with many of my guards accompanying me. You, along with the other prisoners, shall sail back with us to that island. It is there that justice will be served, and you will face the consequences of your treason.” The king concluded his chilling proclamation with a steely whisper, sending shivers down Airella’s spine.

Desperation etched on her face, the princess hurried to her father’s side. “Father, please, allow me a moment to speak with you,” she implored, her voice tinged with urgency.

“Not now. Get on the ship,” King William commanded, his eyes cold and unyielding.

Princess Thea and Airella shared a moment of eye contact as the guards hoisted Airella to her feet. The disintegrated portal loomed behind her, now heavily guarded, extinguishing any hope of slipping back in to find him.

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