Page 64 of Forged in Flame and Shadow

I have to be more strategic. I spot a shadow spinning on its own near the corner of the crowd and approach it from behind a group of dancing fae so it doesn’t spot me…with its nonexistent eyes. But whatever, it seems to be working. I’m within a hands-breadth of grabbing the figure when a woman already with a partner dances right between us, scaring the shadow away.

“Oops, sorry, Your Highness,” she smiles, and it’s then I recognize her from the wreathing. She was one of the ones fawning over Lady Naia.

When it happens a second time—an elegant fae woman knocking into me just when I get close to a shadow—I know for sure I’m being sabotaged. Lady Naia wants to make sure the person left to be shamed at the end of this waltz is me.

The music picks up speed, and the fae dance faster. It’s a bizarre sight from where I’m standing, with the shadows just as plentiful as the people, like the nobles are suddenly being swallowed up by pockets of darkness before appearing again from behind their partners. It’s making me dizzy, and I move away toward theedge of the action, hoping to find a lone shadow lingering on the outskirts.

Then I spot it. The music and the magic haven’t just broughtpeople’sshadows to life. They’re affecting the statues lining the room too. One of them, a majestic fae king, hasn’t strayed far from its home, spinning around the plinth of the king’s statue.

The music starts to reach a crescendo, and I suspect I don’t have long left. I’m trying to push through the last few layers of crowd to reach the statue when a familiar voice sounds beside me.

“Oh, Your Highness, don’t tell me you haven’t found a partner yet?”

I barely glance at Lady Naia’s smug face, keeping my eyes on the prize as she keeps yapping away.

“I’m sure you recognize mine—he’s unmistakable, isn’t he?”

I risk taking another look and realize she’s managed to catch Leon’s shadow. I’d recognize that profile anywhere. What worries me more, however, is that manic look glinting even brighter in Lady Naia’s blue eyes.

“I wonder what your humiliation should be, hmm?” she continues. She follows me toward the statue, but she’s too preoccupied with gloating to focus on what I’m doing. “As the host, I get to decide what it is. Won’t that befun?”

I turn to face her, backing up toward the plinth as I do so.

“I’m sure it would’ve been,” I say, just as the statue’s shadow comes dancing around the corner of its stand. I reach out and snatch it. “But perhaps another time.”

I hold onto the shadow for dear life, but the moment I have it in my hands, I find it doesn’t fight or try to run from me. It feels like nothing I’ve ever touched before—almost filmy in texture, and yet I get the impression that if I squeezed too hard it would dissolve between my fingers.

I don’t waste time enjoying Naia’s outraged expression, concentrating on getting back onto the dance floor before the music finishes. The statue’s shadow, still wearing its king’s crown, puts its hand to my back, and we sway gently just as the melody starts to fade.

I release a sigh of relief as the fae stop dancing and cheer to celebrate the end of the waltz. Most of them are now eagerly looking around them—hoping, I guess, to be the one to catch someone without a partner. After a few minutes of chatter and laughter, an older fae raises his hand to get everyone’s attention.

“It’s a happy ending, Lady Naia,” he calls across the dance floor. “It seems everyone has managed to find a partner.”

There’s another cheer, and many of the fae clap. I wonder what kind of court this is that hopes for public humiliation and then seems equally satisfied when everyone is saved from it.

Aside from my own victory, I’m relieved Tira apparently hasn’t been caught out either. She probably didn’t have Lady Naia’s friends chasing shadows away from her though. No, that honor was reserved just for me.

“We have a cheat!”

The crowd turns in the direction of the shout, then parts as Lady Naia strides toward me, her eyes burning with hate.

Chapter 21

Morgana

Igape at Lady Naia as she storms toward me. Will this woman really not let it go?

“You,” she says, thrusting a finger at me. “You didn’t find a proper partner.” She looks around her, searching for support. “She stole that shadow from the statue of King Dionis. She’s a cheat!”

She doesn’t get the encouragement she’s looking for, though. Most of the nobles don’t want to meet her eye and look away with uncomfortable expressions. Encouraged, I stand up taller, giving her the most disdainful look I can muster.

“I don’t believe it says in the rules that I must use the shadow of a living thing. Please calm yourself, Lady Naia. It’s only a game.”

“And you’ll address her asYour Highness,” comes a hard voice from the crowd. I look over to see Damia glaring at Lady Naia. “I shouldn’t have to remind you you’re talking to the Princess of Trova.”

I give the dark-haired woman a quick, grateful smile before looking back to Lady Naia. It doesn’t feel safe to keep my eyesoff of her for long. And indeed, as it seems to dawn on Lady Naia that no one here agrees with her accusation, her pretty face undergoes a horrible transformation as she goes white with fury, her bright eyes sparking.

Then she charges toward me with a shriek, her long nails snatching at me like claws.

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