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Perhaps I could tell him what I saw earlier. Does he know? Could he offer some kind of reasonable explanation for the shadow people? Looking into his golden eyes, I can’t imagine that he would ever be part of something that turns people into wraiths. But then, I just don’t know for sure. His father is the Regent. The very man who led the shadow people. I have to tread carefully. I like Kellan, but I’m not fool enough to fully trust him.
“It’s nothing,” I say. “I just… hate being here.” Which is a truth I can offer him. “Don’t you get it? I’m in real danger here.”
Understanding fills his face and he sighs. “Sky, you have to trust that I won’t let anything bad happen to you. I already kept you from getting locked up for stealing and selling items at the black market, didn’t I?” He studies my face for a moment, and his eyes narrow. “And I seem to remember a girl I met outside a dragon’s cave who told me she wasn’t afraid of anything. You can do this, Sky. And I’ll be right here beside you every step of the way.” The corner of his mouth lifts and he leans in close. “That is, if you let me.”
Kellan is too good to me and all I do is push him away. Since I’ve met Kellan, he’s only had the best of intentions, he just wants to help people. While at times, it’s extremely annoying—it’s also honorable. What would it be like to be in a position where I could help others? Where I’m not in a constant state of survival and all the selfish decisions that come with that.
Someone like Kellan can’t get involved with someone like me. I’ll just mess it up because I will always make the selfish decision. But looking into his golden eyes, I wonder if I’ve been going about things all wrong. Maybe the only way I’m going to survive this situation is with the help of someone like Kellan. Maybe his goodness is exactly what I need to keep me from the darkness.
His eyes search mine, like he’s waiting for the moment I’ll push him away. I surprise us both when I lean forward, close the distance, and gently kiss his cheek. My stomach tightens at the feel of his warm skin under my lips, and I quickly pull back.
Kellan’s eyes are wide. “Not that I’m complaining, but what was that for?”
“It was a thank you,” I say.
He smirks. “I finally got my token.”
I laugh and shove him. “Now what was it you said about ice cream?”
His smile widens and he offers me his arm. “Just promise me you’ll eat with cutlery this time.”
“I make no such promise.”
He chuckles. “Fair enough. I just need to make a quick stop on the way.”
As we walk through the castle, we’re met with more attention than I’m comfortable with. Everyone we pass knows Kellan. The men look at him like they want to be him, and the women like they want to be with him. A few of the women give me the tell-tale glare of a jealous, scorned heart. And most don’t seem at all surprised that Kellan has a new girl on his arm, which tells me a bit about Kellan’s active social life. Not a surprise based on how much of a flirt he is. And really, he’s the type of person you just want to gravitate to.
As we make our way through the castle, the halls narrow, and the curtains and sconces and doors less ornate. It’s an older part of the castle, I realize. Kellan releases my arm and knocks on a simple wood-planked door.
“Enter,” a male voice says from within.
Kellan pushes the door open and signals me to go first.
I walk into moderately sized living quarters. Two people sit at a table, eating supper. An older man with graying hair, slouched shoulders, and spectacles perched on his nose, and a young woman I’ve seen before. When she looks up, I suck in a breath and my heart jumps in my chest. She’s the sorcerer girl I ran into outside the athenaeum. She drops her spoon into her bowl, and her eyes widen when they lock on mine.
The older man jumps to his feet and straights his tweed vest. “My lord, I—I apologize. I didn’t realize you were coming by today.”
The girl’s gaze jumps from me to Kellan and back again, like she’s trying to figure out our connection. While I don’t think she’ll say anything about running into me for the mere fact that it would implicate her as well, I still give her an almost imperceptible shake of my head. She drops her chin just enough to let me know she understands, and I can breathe again.
Deeper in the room is a set of couches, an armoire, and a fire crackling in the fireplace. Three doors lead to adjoining rooms, I assume to the bathing chamber and two bedrooms.
“I should be the one apologizing for interrupting your nightly meal,” Kellan says.
The old man shakes his head. “Not at all, Lord. We welcome your visits. Should I dish up two more bowls for you and your guest?”
“No, thank you. We have dinner plans already. Where are my manners?” Kellan gestures to me. “This is my dear friend, Sky. Sky, meet the Nahva family.”
The old man bows slightly. “It’s a pleasure to meet any of Lord Kellan’s friends. I’m David, and this is my daughter, Amora.”
Amora gives a small curtsy. But she stays silent, and her brows are still creased in confusion. It’s strange to have anyone bow or curtsy to me. I shift my stance. They must hold me to the same social standing as Kellan.
I nod at them each. “It’s nice to meet you both.”
“I won’t keep you much longer,” Kellan says. “I only came to see if the potion is ready for distribution.”
Potion? I give Kellan a questioning glance.
“David and his daughter are magic users,” Kellan said. “They help me help Thaaryn with their magic.”
