Beauty In Darkness

29

I stared at him, trying to make sense of his words. “Living darkness?”

“Thick, tangible shadows that creep over houses and farms to smother them, along with phantom beasts that attack people and animals. At first it only occurred in the eastern part of Ilidan, but over time it grew stronger and spread across the kingdom. Now it can swallow entire villages whole in one evening, unless I fight it back.” Exhaustion crept into his voice, not just from tonight, but from years of battling this strange enemy. “Weapons are useless against them, as is water. Fire, light, and magic are the only ways to combat the shadows. Even then, we seem to be losing the battle.”

I’d never heard of such terrible magic before. I had so many questions I didn’t know where to begin, even as so many things began to fall into place. But my most pressing question was, “Why didn’t you tell me?”

He looked away, crossing his arms. “It was none of your concern.”

“Everything in Ilidan is my concern! Especially something this big. How many times must I say it?” I took a step closer, looking up at him with pleading eyes. “Do you not trust me? Surely by now you know I would never betray you or Ilidan by telling my father about this. Or anyone else, for that matter.”

“Of course I trust you.”

“Then why?” Another thought occurred to me. “Is this where you go every night? To fight the darkness on your own?”

One of his eyebrows shot up. “Why? Would you rather I spent those nights in your bed?”

“Don’t change the subject,” I said, even as desire flared at the picture he’d conjured in my head. “Is it?”

“Yes, that’s where I go every night.”

I nodded, relieved to finally know the truth. “Then let me go with you next time.”

“No,” he commanded. “Definitely not. The darkness is dangerous, and I want you nowhere near it.”

“But I can help you! You said my magic is strong, and my fire affinity will work on the darkness. Maybe together we can stop the shadows from hurting anyone else.”

His eyes narrowed. “I’ve spent the last few years doing everything I can to stop the Shadow Lord from taking over my kingdom. I’ve cast every rune I know to keep the darkness at bay. I’ve scoured the library for answers. I’ve asked other wizards for advice. If none of that has worked, what do you think you can do?”

I was so frustrated with him I could scream. All I wanted was to help him and the people of Ilidan, but he wouldn’t let me. “I don’t know, but there must be something. If we work together, we—”

“No,” he said, his voice leaving little room for argument. “There is nothing you can do. In fact, I order you to stay out of it.”

“You order me?” That was it. I raised my hand to trace a rune in the air, to show him I wasn’t just some helpless princess but a wizard like he was, but he caught my wrist. As he held me, heat flared between us and his eyes dropped to my lips. The moment instantly changed, shifting from anger to desire, and the air practically crackled between us. Intense longing flooded me as I waited for him to kiss me, hoping he wanted me at least half as much as I wanted him. I nearly rose up on my toes to press my lips to his, but I needed him to do it first. I held my breath, waiting, waiting, waiting.

After an eternity, he took a sharp breath and dropped my hand. “I don’t want you involved, Rose. I’ve already lost too much in my life. I can’t lose you as well.”

He closed the door in my face, stunning me with the vulnerability in his voice as much as his abrupt departure. Once again he’d rejected me, but he’d also implied he cared for me as well. That I meant something to him. Maybe there was hope for us after all.

But that didn’t mean I was giving up on this.

Eighteen

Rose

I

woke with a new sense of purpose and determination. I was going to find a way to save Ilidan from this threat, whatever it took. Raith obviously needed my help, even if he refused to admit it. He couldn’t keep fighting the darkness on his own for much longer. It was already running him ragged, and even he admitted he was losing the battle. At least if I helped, he might be able to get some sleep now and then.

I marched toward his workshop, where I found him pouring something into a large flask. He traced a rune on the side of the glass and the liquid began to bubble, sending pale yellow smoke into the air.

“What is that?” I asked. “Something to help fight the shadows?”

He gave a soft snort. “Hardly. It’s a potion to ease toothache. One of the kitchen staff asked me for it.”

“That’s kind of you.” I leaned forward to examine it, but the smell of rotten egg made me cover my nose. I grabbed a stool and sat on it, smoothing out my skirts. “I want to know more about the darkness. What’s causing the attacks? Where did it start? How often does it happen?”

He leveled his gaze at me and did not look amused. Not at all. “I told you I didn’t want you involved in this matter.”

“And I told you that Ilidan is my home now, and it’s people are my responsibility too. It’s clear you don’t think I can help, but you won’t know that until we try. I bring a fresh perspective to the matter.”