Page 8 of A Kingdom of Shadows

I still tell myself it was a mistake, a momentary lapse of chaotic thoughts stringing us together.

Still, it doesn't help that I think about it more often than I should.

His eyes flicker to my lips, the smile on his face fading as he watches me breathe. "Nara," he whispers, but I look away, flustered and embarrassed.

"I should probably eat some of the food Gus packed for us—"

Darius grabs my right wrist before I can rummage through anything. "I just want you to tell me something."

Panic fights its way through my heart.

"Last night..." His words draw my wary gaze back to his. "You said something in your sleep."

Fragments of a nightmare I had last night reemerge. The same ones I have been having since I killed that Ardenti.

I shrug one shoulder and swallow my heavy breaths. "So, I speak in my sleep. It's not the first time I have heard that." Getting up, I look everywhere else but him as he lifts himself from the ground and takes a worried step toward me.

I hate that he does that.

It shows he cares when before he had told me how he did not.

Against what my heart fears, I would rather him consider me an asset. It's easier.

"You mentioned a dragon," he says, gold eyes darkening with concern. "And Sarilyn."

"I don't see why you suddenly need to mention my silly dream. Of course, I dreamt about Sarilyn. After all, we are here in this forest thanks to her."

He doesn't believe me.

"Don't listen to my heartbeat," I whisper, rather protective of myself. It's a long shot to think he can when it could be a side of his powers that also does not work but... still.

His jaw works back and forth. He's used to this side of me, the stubborn, defensive Nara who prefers hating him.

"I don't have to," he mumbles, and though I wish to say more, I bite the inside of my cheek instead as we stare at each other. Neither of us makes an attempt to move.

"Darry, Darry!" Tibith runs toward us, but Darius doesn't look away from me. "Is there any more bread left?"

I force a stiffening breath between my lips and break our stare as I look down at Tibith. I reach inside my satchel for some bread wrapped in cloth and give it to Tibith. "Here," I say, eyes darting up at Darius. "I've lost my appetite."

Chapter Four

I gather water into the palms of my hands, sipping it by a nearby stream that looks more or less normal than the rest of the thick bubbling lakes I have encountered so far. Thankfully, I am quenched from the aching thirst inside my throat as I shake the droplets off my hands and continue on our path.

Once dawn came, I'd awoken, and we never stopped for a rest. What felt like hours of walking was merely an hour or so, treading carefully and testing the ground for any signs of quicksand. It would be a lie to think I'd forgotten everything from my conversation with Darius. And waking up has only emphasized my troubling thoughts more.

"You're awfully quiet today." Darius chuckles behind me as my fingertips brush past the dry moss of trees. It's the first time we have spoken since last night. "Usually, you would have insulted me a few times by now."

"I've just been thinking," I mumble miserably, watching Tibith roll ahead of us without a care in the world.

"Of what?"

"Of different ways, I can murder you."

I can envision the smile on Darius's face as he coos, "Do tell."

"So, you can survive all my attempts? Nice try."

"Ah, clearly, no murderous creative plans are actually on your mind then."

---