Page 22 of A Kingdom of Shadows

Renward moves back and inclines his body. "Of course. In the meantime, why don't you accompany us tonight for a celebration as my betrothed to be."

I agree with reluctance, giving him a bright fake smile before he gestures to the crowd to depart and strolls back up to the bark throne.

I turn to go back to the hut when Darius's firm hand clutches my arm. Looking up at him, I realize we are too close to comfort.

He lowers his head, as does his voice. "Do you have any idea—"

"I know what I'm doing," I say past gritted teeth. "I've made plenty of deals before, remember?"

He doesn't reply for a few seconds, and we're both staring at each other with absolute conviction as he says, "We don't know if we can trust them or the king."

I know that. "I'm not asking you to trust them. I'm asking you to trust me."

He looks over at Renward, and a muscle twitches in his jaw before he sighs. "Fine... but if for any reason—" He turns his head and eyes shift to meet mine "—He does anything I don't like, then I'm taking you out of here, and I don't care if we're dealing with monstrous centipedes or deadly vines, I will get us to the Elven King myself."

The solemn promise in his words wraps around my heart, tightening it until it hurts. "I don't doubt that for a second."

A slow smile makes its way onto his lips as he lets go of my arm and then says, "Glad to see your ankle is at least healed."

Without much thought, I glance down at my foot. "I suppose I have you to thank for that... again."

His laugh is like silk against my skin, enticing me to wrap myself up in it. His head dips, and my cheek brushes along his as he whispers in my ear, "So, what now, Goldie?"

I grin. "Didn't you hear? A celebration is being thrown in my honor." I give him a once over, humming in thought. "I say you'd make a great slave for me in the time being."

His smile takes on a mischievous glint, and his expression overall says he loves the idea.

"What about me, Miss Nara?" Tibith asks, appearing beside Darius.

I smile down at him. "You're my protector, of course." My gaze flickers to Darius again, giving him a final look of confidence before walking away and saying over my shoulder, "Coming, Tibith?"

He buzzes with elation and rolls by my side as we make our way to the hut.

Chapter Ten

Satiny hands brush against my torso, adorning me with leaves and peony flowers. Two Elven females had entered earlier to dress me for Renward's celebration tonight. I'd planned on wearing what I already had on, no matter the state of my shirt. But they insisted on a different garment.

"You look wonderful, Miss Nara," Tibith says, bouncing up on one of the wooden stools opposite me.

I smile, feeling uncomfortable on the inside as I look down at the ivy wrapping around my calf. Leaves sewn onto sheer fabric come to a point at the end of my knees with slits high enough to show my thighs on both sides. I admire the effort these Elves are going through, but my back is completely exposed, with only two leaf pieces crossing over each other to cover my breasts. I'm worried that everything will fall apart if I make one wrong move.

One of the Elves murmurs something in a different language to the other—a clicking sound with their tongues as she fastens the top part around my neck.

"Miss Nara," Tibith makes a noise I'd imagine a child would make when curious. I thank the female Elves, then usher them away as he asks, "Why did you accept the frog's marriage request?"

My lip twitches, biting back a laugh, yet I can't help but draw my brows together. "Frog?"

He nods. "Darry said he was a toad."

That makes more sense.

"Well," I say. "You were there, weren't you, Tibith? It was just a deal." Walking like I need to go to a privy, I head toward the other side of the hut. There is no mirror in here, so I make do by brushing out my hair with my fingers. I frown as I stumble upon a wilting peony and pluck it out, placing it front and center over the flower wreath around my head.

"I wish you could marry Darry," Tibith mumbles, causing my hands to stop midway through brushing.

I drop them to my sides and turn to Tibith.

He's staring up at me with glistening, hopeful eyes.

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