Page 33 of A Kingdom of Shadows

"She wanted to ensure there were never any remains that could bring Aurum back."

Dread forms like chunks of coal in the pit of my stomach. What he is implying is a concept I hope stays buried. "That's impossible." I shake my head. "You can't toy with life and death."

"You're quite right, but one can imagine in a world of endless possibilities. In fact, I recall, Aurum was obsessed with the concept of death." He lets those words mingle between us, coldness settling over my bones before he gestures toward his door. "Come, I want to show you something."

No, I don't want to. I can't think of anything else other than the Rivernorth’s. As someone calls out to Renward, nausea begins to roll up into my throat. I am not looking as I place my palm on my stomach and try not to move. Renward informs me that he will be there in a few moments and motions for me to go inside the hut. As I walk into his shack, my eyes clash with those of Darius’s and freeze.

"What are you—" We try to say simultaneously, causing me to let out a frustrated breath.

He raises a pointed brow at me. "I'm still trying to find the map."

Oh, you have to be kidding me.

My lips part, alarm spreading over my features like a blight when I hear Renward's footsteps. Darius ducks, heading behind the desk to hide as a shadow of Renward forms behind me. I whirl too fast, making me almost slip and fall.

Renward's eyes narrow at my sudden jerky movements. "Are you alright?"

"Yes!" I beam, letting out a shaky laugh. "It's just ever so thrilling when I am around you."

He chuckles, partly confused, and then walks past me. I turn, watching him approach the desk, and my stomach buckles in the hope he doesn't spot Darius.

Imperative seconds pass in silence as Renward picks something up from the desk and approaches me. He holds an oak box and opens it, stunning me with an emerald stone shaped like an oval. A rope is tied around it as he takes it out and hangs it from his fingers like a necklace.

My fingers delicately trace it as its glow reminds me of fresh wands of grass and nature. "It's beautiful."

"It's yours."

My gaze shoots up at Renward, and I gape at him. "Oh, I can't possibly take—"

"I insist." He makes me turn my back to him, and I watch as he places the stone around my neck, fastening it at the back. I grasp it between my thumb and forefinger, staring at the depths of greenery.

"It is perfect," Renward says. "You will make a gorgeous bride."

I crack an awkward smile. "You must know I detest compliments." Turning, I notice Darius holding a rolled piece of parchment. He gives me a nod as he creeps toward the door.

Renward notices my gaze wandering off, and his ears twitch as if he hears something. He turns his head, making me panic before I spin him back to me and my lips smack against him in a closed-mouth kiss. My eyes open to see Darius's wide gaze on us and his jaw tightening the longer I kiss Renward. I wave my hand toward the door, allowing Darius to escape as I hold down the need to gag at the slimy touch of Renward's lips on mine. It's wet, warm, and slippery, like a frog. Only a frog is a better option right now.

We part, and I press my lips together, nausea thickening my throat.

"That was quite unexpected." He chuckles, holding me by the sides of my arms.

Fake content pours out of me as I smile at him. I can't bring myself to speak unless he wants his chest covered in my vomit.

He closes his eyes, leaning into me again. I grimace before I hear a thump, and then Renward collapses.

I look up from Renward's motionless body to Darius, with his fist in the air. "Are you serious right now?"

It's as if he's chosen the more complicated route now that he's knocked Renward unconscious.

"He's tried to murder the princesses of Terranos before, and you're concerned over me knocking him out cold?" He tampers his anger down as he takes another step toward me. "If anything, he has been let off lightly."

I snort. "I'd agree if it wasn't for you having hit him out of jealousy!" The accusation sounds foreign on my tongue. It had slipped out.

"Jealousy?" he repeats, brows high as he comes even closer, my breasts touching his chest, and though baffled by my own words, I still nod with defiance, tipping my nose up at him. Eventually, the longer I stare at him, he blows a frustrated breath and grits out his words, "Fine, you are right. I am jealous, Goldie, satisfied?"

His confession takes me off guard. I blink as if I've heard wrong and he hadn't said anything at all. But the resolute look in his eyes tells me otherwise. For many reasons, I expect him to always say something meaningless whenever I confront him. But I didn't expect his admission to be this.

He stalks out of the hut and my breath comes out in rapid panicked bursts as I look back at Renward one last time before following Darius.

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