Page 105 of Blooms of Darkness

A stranger who already carved a path to my heart.

Without a word, he grasped my hand and pulled me close as the sultry notes of a lone violin pierced the air.

We didn't speak, but Kade held my stare, like maybe, just maybe he’d been thinking about me, too. Everything aroundus melted away, my skin humming with excitement, electricity coursing through my soul. The song was a common one played at our events, a melody about a lover’s quarrel, building deep, passionate notes, as their love faltered.

“How did you win over Vivienne?” I asked. “I noticed our Royal Seer bowing to you, and you're not even a Lord.”

Kade shook his head as we glided across the makeshift dance floor. “She may be considered slightly crazy here, but she reminds me of someone from back at home.” He smiled down at me.

Fates above, his gorgeous, sinful smile. His lips were right there, and I could claim them. It would be easy to get on my toes.

I blinked away the thought. If I could even consider being reckless and giving my heart to a stranger, I needed to know some truths. At least answers to some of the mystery surrounding this man.

I forced myself to swallow, attempting to break the spell he had me under. “Kade, I have questions.” My voice was lost in the chaos of the festival, as a loudbangechoed through the air from another onslaught of fireworks.

“Well, don’t keep me waiting, Little Rebel. Do continue.” His voice hitched as shadows pooled from his palms in such light wisps, I wondered if they were truly there. They wrapped around our hands as we danced.

“Why don’t you exist in Brookmere? Nobody knows who you are. You are not in any record book, on any ledger. It’s as if you are a ghost. Yet you are helping the citizens of Brookmere as if they were your own. Someone with your power would have been known throughout the land. It’s not making sense.”

He dipped me low, before bringing me back up. “Looking into me, are you?”

“You can hardly think I wouldn’t.” I cocked an eyebrow.

His smirk this time held a note of pride. “Of course. You have your secrets, Princess, and I have mine.”

“I need more than that to trust you with my—” I swallowed to stop myself from saying what was desperately trying to come out of my mouth.My heart.I cleared my throat and tightened my hands in his, finishing the thought, “Kingdom.” I wanted so badly for him to give me something. Anything.

The violin and cello answered each other with ravaged notes as his shadows coiled around my legs, spinning me around before the final verse began.

“What exactly is your power?” Perhaps he would answer something simpler.

He stared at me quizzically as his shadows played with the lining of my dress. “Isn’t it obvious?”

“Shadow magic hasn't been seen in thousands of years.”

His face tightened. “Add it to the growing list of secrets between us.”

“Do your shadows always act like this around women then? Is it your magic which makes me feel that—” I frowned, trying to find the words. “That tingling sensation. Almost like electricity?”

He blinked, his jaw dropping slightly. I’d caught him off guard. “You feel it, too?”

I snorted. “It’s coming from you, I assure you. I have no—” I immediately hesitated, surprise washing over me as I’d nearly just revealed my biggest secret. And to someone I knew nothing about. Someone who refused to answer a basic question of his origin.

The air heated around us. “Maybe try to keep your shadows to yourself, at least in public. We wouldn’t want anyone thinking you were cheating in the trials because you had my favor,” I said, spinning myself this time as the final notes were about to be struck.

“They’re not the best listeners, but I can certainly try if it’s what Her Highness wants. Although…” He yanked my hand, spinning me back in until my back slammed into his broad chest. He leaned down and whispered in my ear, his warm breath rushing over my skin as I shivered in anticipation. “I can feel all your coiled up tension. I know what you truly want. When you’re ready to beg for it, I will not deny you again.”

Dancing around the bonfire was far more intense than dancing in the throne room had been. The flames flickered over his shadows, and the way Kade watched me through the light of the fire, had darkness twisting my insides into knots. I had become exactly that coiled-up ball of tension he claimed.

“Will you tell me anything?” I asked as my gaze met his. “Anything at all about you?”

His perfectly stormy eyes took me in as if they’d lock me in place forever. He inhaled a sharp breath as his gaze flicked to my lips, then back to my eyes. “Storm told you I’m usually quieter.”

I nodded.

He swallowed, drawing me closer until our bodies were pressed tightly against one another. It took every ounce of strength I had not to close my eyes and fall into him.

“I think meeting you, being around you, has made me feel more myself than I have in my entire life. Who I’ve been with you, Little Rebel, is who I’ve only ever hoped to be.”

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