Page 80 of A Kingdom of Shadows

I snap my head in the direction Darius went, but he is long gone.

"Tibith? Can I tell you a secret? But you mustn't tell anyone, especially Darius." I'd said earlier before whispering, "Today is my birthday."

"Nara?" Edwyrd repeats my name again, and I look at him, too dazed to think straight, as I smile and agree to dance.

Chapter Thirty-One

It was the birthday following my mother's death when I had decided I no longer loved celebrating them. I'd started working for Ivarron, and my loathing for creatures grew stronger by the day. Not to mention that I'd had my fair share of run-ins with my fellow villagers. Idris was always explaining to families why his younger sister had smashed their son's nose, and even his apologies couldn't clear the Ambrose's name. And the more birthdays I had, the less I wanted to remember them. But Illias and Iker attempted to change that. They would buy gifts with the little money they had and organized parties that resulted in complete anarchy on numerous occasions.

I suppose I should have known that Tibith would still tell Darius even if I had bribed him with bread. I might be closer to Tibith now than when we first met, but Darius is his companion, friend, and family.

"You seem quite distant tonight. Is everything alright, Nara?" Edwyrd has me blink up at him, my expression likely doltish as he guides me through this dance.

I shake my head, clenching my eyes shut for a second. "I—sorry, it has just been a tiring week. Tasks and whatnot." And also, my night with Darius against the kitchen table, my breakdown, his kiss with Faye, the maze—

"I can imagine," Edwyrd murmurs in agreement. "I only wish I could help, considering the last task in Thalore won't be easy."

I laugh to try and humor my never-ending dangerous situations. "Worse than encountering trolls?"

"Well, I hardly think trolls possess dark magic."

A pensive frown forms between my brows. "You say dark magic, but what does that entail?"

He moves me around the floor with swift motions. The music is high and sweet enough to taste. "Not even we know the true extent of it. Thalorians have practiced for eons, far longer than the king has been alive. It's said even an ordinary elf like me can quite easily become dark."

I remember the book I had read at the library; I'd gone as far as to learn that dark Elves worship a side of Solaris and Crello far too dangerous for our world. "How?" I inquire, my nose tickling beneath my mask as I scrunch it up and Edwyrd takes a deep inhale.

"All Thalorian's hearts blacken the more they practice that magic—Kilya magic is what it is called. Named after the first ever Thalorian. It is said she became insane for reasons not many know. From then on, it was just a matter of corrupting other Elves."

"Are you not afraid for your people?"

"There is too much to worry about, Nara. Our kingdom is already plagued by the shadows of Thalorians. They just happen to be a small part out of the grander things."

Such as the Isle of Elements losing its power. Our world potentially suffering at the hands of more powerful beings—ones the general had mentioned.

Edwyrd becomes a blur as my eyes wander from his to the cheerful people surrounding us. An elf beside us has her pointed ear decorated with a crescent dangling from it, and another who happens to be a child is dressed head to toe in a twilight gown with the sun and moon adorned on it. They do not even know the peril that is to come if the Isle of Elements is to fail us.

"May I?"

The sound of that voice takes my attention, dulling my worries as I cast a glance to the side, where Darius is waiting with a smirk on his lips.

Edwyrd releases my hand, looking at me for a response.

"I'd hate to be rejected twice for a dance, Goldie," Darius says. "The first time already bruised my ego."

I try to hold it in, but it just happens. I burst out laughing.

"First time?" Edwyrd chuckles, confusion contorting his lips.

Darius waves a careless hand. "Noctura night. Nara had decided that saying no to me was her favorite word."

"It still is," I say, and Darius holds my stare. A competitive look in which I hope to win.

"I—" Edwyrd tries to say, but neither Darius and I budge, "—Well, I'll leave you both to it."

"Thank you, Edgar," Darius mocks, and I give him a look despite Edwyrd not even bothering to correct him. He knows Darius is trying to irritate him by saying his name wrong.

Once Edwyrd leaves, Darius practically dominates the small distance between us, raising his right palm and inviting me to grab it. As I take it, I roll my eyes, the violins whispering through the soft breeze. His other hand comes around my waist, and then he pushes me toward him.

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