Page 54 of Path of the Dark
Elias refocused on his task.
Shifting left, he deliberately circuited the edge of the square.
It was impossibly crowded. The bonfire crackled and sparked, reflecting off the polished surface of the Altar of Umbra behind it. Elias passed a fire-eater putting on an impressive display. Children clustered around him, squealing with delight when the man plunged a burning torch down his throat.
A few feet in front of the bonfire, Elias spied a group of enchanters of the Light putting on a show of their own. To the amusement of onlookers, they sent plumes of sparkling light into the sky.
And then, near the gates leading through to the lower town, Elias spied Ninia.
The young woman was dressed in her black enchanter robes—being of both the Dark and the Light, the Order had gifted her with a uniquely-colored robe. Her thick brown hair was braided and wrapped around the crown of her head. The style accentuated the roundness of her face. It made her look heartbreakingly young.
Elias drew to a halt, once again forcing down nausea. Fisting his hands at his sides, he swallowed hard.
How things changed.
A few months ago he’d hunted Ninia. He’d felt nothing for her then.
That seemed like a lifetime ago. Ever since she’d spared his life, something had shifted in him.
Elias clenched his jaw.You’ve gone soft.
He cast a glance over his shoulder at his men. “I’ve seen her,” he murmured. “All of you except Santino remain here.” He caught his second’s eye. “Follow us, but at a distance. I don’t want to make anyone suspicious.”
Santino gave a brisk nod.
Turning from him, Elias continued through the crowd and followed Ninia out of the square.
Ryana turned from where she, Dain, and Lilia watched the enchanters’ light display. Her attention traveled over the throng. The evening was well underway. She’d expected to run into Elias by now.
She’d told herself she wouldn’t look out for him.
Cool, calm, and controlled.She’d made herself a promise before heading out this evening. Elias set her alight, but there was no future for them. Her head knew the truth of it, but her heart had other ideas, and she found herself scanning the crowd.
At the gates she spied Ninia. The girl was following the tide of the revelers into the lower town, to where more fire displays were taking place on the main thoroughfare beyond. Ninia had been looking forward to the Fire Festival for days. Thûn shared a similar celebration, although the princess had never been permitted to mingle with the masses.
An instant later Ryana saw Elias.
Her breathing caught merely at the sight of him. He was dressed as he’d been the first night they’d met, in leather breeches, a crimson shirt, and a black leather vest.
Elias hadn’t seen her. He moved through the crowd, his gaze trained on the gates ahead.
Longing rose within Ryana.
Damn the things she’d been telling herself all day. She ached to see him, to hear the rough timbre of his voice, to have those penetrating eyes upon her. She wanted to make him smile and drag him over to watch the shows. She wanted to forget all the reasons why they couldn’t be together, why he’d break her heart.
Both Ninia and Elias disappeared from view, the crowd swallowing them up. Ryana hesitated for a few moments, wrestling with herself. Finally, not even bothering to say anything to Lilia or Dain, she moved toward the gates.
A firm hand on her upper arm brought her up short.
Turning, her gaze met Asher’s. Irritated at being manhandled so, she frowned and was about to upbraid him when she saw the grim look upon his face.
Ryana tensed. “What is it?”
“A goshawk just arrived from the House of Light and Darkness in Veldoras.” Asher’s face was unusually pale, his jaw clenched.
Mira stepped up to his side, her expression equally strained. “Elias of Anthor isn’t here on a mission of peace,” she said, her voice flat and hard. “He’s after Ninia.”
Elias followed Ninia deep into the lower town.
