Page 70 of A Kingdom of Shadows

The heels of my feet draw to a stop before I twist to face Aias, horrified. "I am not in love."

He blinks those glossy eyes at me with disbelief.

"I am far from that," I say. "In fact, I feel... disgust and anger over that insolent—"

"Nara," the king's voice says from behind. "So glad to see you out of your chambers."

This is not what I need right now.

I slowly turn to face him.

He's not wearing his crown, but his fine jewelry and his luscious emerald clothes make him look royalty enough. "I was preparing to have Thallan fetch you," he says.

Burying Darius's and Faye's kiss, kindness has me plastering on a broad smile at Dusan instead. "Is there anything you need?"

He inclines his head, glancing toward the entrance of his study. "A chat, if that is alright?"

It takes me five seconds to let that sink in, and then stupidly, I'm nodding. "Yes—yes, of course."

I wave Aias a small goodbye, then enter after Dusan into his study as he makes his way toward his desk and sits.

Standing idly before him, I fidget with the laces of my corset.

"I wanted to discuss the plans you have for gathering the next two stones," he begins, not looking up at me as he takes a feather ink pen and writes along some parchment. "As you know, you'll possibly encounter trolls for the third stone."

"Nothing we can't handle."

"Well, trolls might be ruthless creatures, but they are also daft. Galgr's are the ones to watch out for."

"Galgr's?"

"They're ancient creatures from Terranos that live for torment," he says mockingly, rolling his eyes as he dips the pen in ink. "They mainly reside in lakes, but if captured, they can be used to enchant others, carve out their deepest forgotten memories."

My body turns to ice.

Forgotten memories.

Back in the forests... that lake.

I glance to my left, seeing if I can picture that memory I saw or if I will face another Galgr during my time here.

"Nara?" Dusan says, and my head turns to his furrowed gaze.

I clear my throat, leaving those worries for the task. "I see you have gifted Aias a ring," I say. "That was very kind of you."

His shoulders straighten out, the long locks of his blond hair spilling over them. "I thought it would suit him best."

"Trying to win him over?"

He lifts an eyebrow at my brusque comment.

It goes deathly silent and an awkward sensation rolls over me.

"I'm sorry," I say. "I didn't mean to sound rude."

But I did.

I really did mean to do so and he can see that.

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