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“No, but I don’t really have a choice. It’s what my father wants and what’s best for Terra,” she says, breaking eye contact. I lift her chin softly and see all the pain her father has caused her over the years.I’ll make him pay for that later.
“You have a choice with us. King Asher won’t make you do anything you don’t want. Besides, you don’t like men, Violet.” I pop her on the nose, causing her to swat me away.
“I’ve been with men before. I can do it again if I must,” she says with fragile confidence.
“You’ve been with two men, and you hated it.” She pokes me in the chest.
“I’ll have you know that—” I cut her off because I already know her answer. “Threesomes don’t count if you don’t let the man ever touch you.” Her words get caught in her throat and she laughs.
“Plus, you’ll be there, so I know I’ll be fine,” she says, looking at me with so much trust it breaks my heart.
“Why is your father pushing so hard for you to marry King Asher?” I ask, completely confused by the sudden offer of Violet to me. She looks around before leaning in close.
“There’s a lot of unrest in Lux. My father said the viators are not returning to their jobs. They’re disappearing. We’ve had a few who’ve left and not returned. No one knows where they are going,” she whispers.
My shadows whirl inside their well at my core. I hadn’t heard about anyone vanishing and wonder what is happening to them. “V, I can’t explain it, but something is coming. I can feel it in my soul,” she says, pain lacing her words.
“I know. I can feel it too. My mother always told me that’s the gods talking directly to you. They’re warning us, and I think we better start listening,” I say, trying to hide any unease from my voice. She nods at me and takes a deep breath.
The sun beams through the high window, and I know I need to head to meet Junie.
“I need to be leaving. You’re welcome anytime in Umbra, Violet. Just ask for the liaison at the gate, and they will come find me. I would love to show you what the kingdom is really like,” I say, meaning it. I’m ready to show all of Omnia what Umbra truly is. No more hiding in the shadows.
I give her a soft kiss on the cheek, and she squeezes my arm in response. She smiles brightly up at me, and memories of our time together burst in my mind. I give the princess a proper bow before spinning on my heels and leaving the room.
I return to King Royce and tell him that King Asher will be in touch regarding his proposal and hurry off the castle grounds toward the white stone village of Terra.
Oakwell sits atop one of the vast rolling hills, providing a stunning view of the kingdom. Wildflowers in vibrant colors so bright they look more like a painting than real-life. The floral scent is sweet in the air as it mixes with the woodsy smell of the moss roofs.
I secure my hood over my head as I trek through the village heading to the tavern. I watch my surroundings as I go, looking for my princess. Ducking into the alley beside the tavern, I lean against the wall, half-bathed in darkness.
I take the antidote vial out of my pocket and roll it in my palms as I wait for Junie. My heart and mind race as I try to figure out what to say to her.
Light wisps of blonde hair dance in the corner of my vision as Junie steps into the square. She dismisses a dark-haired guard, who watches her as she stomps toward the tavern. Her long hair floats behind her like the seeds of a dandelion caught in the wind. She fists her skirt, bringing it up for an easier time walking.
Placing the vial back in my pocket, I push off the wall and drop my hood. I take a deep breath to calm my racing heart. Junie scowls hard at me as she enters the alley.
She steps into the darkness with me and smacks me across the face. I place my hand on my cheek and stare at her, utterly shocked. “How dare you use my dead friend to manipulate me! You’re a vile person,” she yells at me. I drop my hand from my face.
“A weak hit, but we can work on it. What are you talking about, Junie? Theo isn’t dead.” She raises her hand, and I snatch her wrist before it can reach my face.
“It’s Princess Juniper!” she roars. “Why are you claiming you have Theo, and that my father is lying to me? Who do you think you are spreading such lies?” Lightning dances along her fingers as her anger rises. My shadows respond, swirling up her arm and twisting with the small sparks. I expect burning heat but find a friendly warmth welcoming the touch.
Junie stares, horrified, and jerks her wrist from my grasp. My shadows stretch with her before recoiling back. “Who are you?” she asks, voice trembling.
“A shadow looking for the light,” I answer. I step toward her, making her flinch, and I bite back the pain it causes me. “You came here because a part of you wonders if I’m telling the truth. If you’re willing to find out, let’s have a drink, princess.”
I gesture to the tavern and pray to the gods she takes me up on my offer. She chews her bottom lip as she stares at the ground. Without looking up, she leaves our shadowed spot. I expect her to keep walking, heading back to Lux, but she walks to the front door of the tavern.
Junie yanks it open, and I hurry after her into the overly warm space. Noise fills the packed tavern. The perfect scenario I was hoping for. Villagers fill almost every seat except for one corner table at the very back.
I grab Junie’s arm to get her attention, and she pulls out of my touch. I resign to pointing at the open spot and striding toward it. Junie follows close behind. She pulls her cloak tight around her as her eyes dart around the tavern.
I wave at a few familiar villagers as I make my way to the back table and slide into the seat. Junie hesitantly sits next to me. “You’re safe, princess. No one will harm you here,” I say, trying to comfort her. By the glare she gives me, it doesn’t work.
“Vivienne, long time no see,” Ruth, the barmaid, says stepping to our table. She’s worked here for most of her life and knows everything there is to know about everyone. A valuable resource for someone like me.
“I’ve been busy,” I say with a shrug, leaning back in my seat. Her eyes drag to Junie, who fidgets nervously.
