AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Is it safe to swim in?”
“So long as you don’t go out too deep.” The tazreth were the most dangerous thing in the ocean, and they didn’t venture into shallow waters. Then again, things thatIwouldn’t have considered dangerous were probably life-threatening to a fragile Hunter body. “I don’t thinkyoushould swim in the ocean, though.”
Ophelia laughed, the sound a little more hollow than usual. “I would say I’d miss your constant worrying over my safety, but let’s be real. Every Shade I know is convinced I’ll perish if I’m exposed to so much as a light breeze.”
That wasn’t helping with my terror at leaving her. Who was going to watch over her? Between the king and Astrid, she was rarely alone, but she would still be down one guard.
“Will your father be at the festival?”
I winced. “Yes. And about that… There’s one other thing he’d like me to do.”
The palace gardens had been tastefully illuminated with additional orb lights every few steps to better highlight the artists who were showing off their shadow manipulation skills. Courtiers stood around in small groups, oohing and aahing at the right moments, helping themselves to the goblets of wine that were being circulated by palace staff.
They weren’t the only ones here, though. The palace gardens were open to visitors from all over the realm for this festival, which meant nearly every guard was on duty. I felt terrible knowing that I was leaving early, but King Allerick didn’t look inclined to let go of his wife anyway, so Ophelia would be in safe hands at least.
She took it all in with wide eyes, arm interlinked with the king’s as they made their way down the paths, stopping to watch each performer. In the circular center of the garden, a small dais had been erected for the king and queen to give their welcome speech, and that was where we were slowly moving toward.
My father had set himself up right next to the dais, and he’d attracted quite the crowd after twenty-five years of self-isolation. I felt a stab of pity for Verner, who was stationed at the bottom of the dais and seemed to be making uncomfortable small talk—undoubtedly about me and the nature of our relationship.
Ophelia glanced back over her shoulder, shooting me a reassuring smile as we got closer to the dais, before her attention was dragged away by a Shade making swirling flowers out of shadows that seemed to dance in the air.
“Hi Levana,” Torin whispered loudly, almost making me jump. “Want one?”
He held out a tray with bite-sized versions of the meat-and-bread stack Calix had made for me. With a pang going through my chest at the memory, I shot Torin a small smile and plucked one off the tray.
“How’s the cook today?” I asked, hoping my voice sounded conversational, still watching Ophelia’s back out of the corner of my eye.
“Verygrumpy,” Torin replied solemnly. “Possibly because I charred the first batch of meat for this dish. It’ssohard to keep track of all the things I’m meant to be doing at once. Anyway, I’d better go. Enjoy the festival!”
He disappeared into the crowd, offering up his tray to groups of socializing Shades. Perhaps Calix had banished him to serving duty to stop him from burning anything else. I didn’t let myself reflect on it. Just thinking Calix’s name made my chest ache.
Would I be able to say goodbye to him? Was I strong enough for that?
There was a sudden uptick in noise from next to the dais, drawing my attention. No one looked to be in imminent danger or preparing to fight, butsomethinghad upset my Father. His shadows flicked in agitation as he watched the royal couple, and Verner discreetly shook his head at me. The gesture was more ‘don’t panic’ than ‘there’s nothing to worry about’, though.
“This is amazing,” Ophelia said to the Shade next to her—an older female I didn’t recognize. “The performers are so talented.”
The Shade turned to face the queen, watching her with awed dark blue eyes.
I’d only seen eyes like that on my sister and myself.
It was probably a coincidence.
I glanced back at my father, who appeared to be trying to send the female back to the shadows from whence she’d came with the force of his enraged stare alone.
Notthe female. Mymother. She hadn’t seen me—would she recognize me even if she did?—so I took a moment to study her while she made small talk with the queen, searching for similarities between us and finding very little.
Her face was rounder than mine, with her features also softened by age, and her horns were far more angular than mine or my sister’s. I thought her build might have been similar to Sirena’s, though like many older Shades, my mother appeared to favor wearing her shadows in a long, sweeping style rather than the shorter look that was in fashion now.
Aside from the eyes, I couldn’t see any resemblance between her and either of her daughters.
Though was iteither? I’d never given it much thought, but perhaps she’d gone on to have more children.
Ones she hadn’t left behind.
Someone banged loudly on their goblet, breaking my stare and reminding me with a jolt where I was and what I was supposed to be doing. With a heavy sigh, the king began making his way toward the dais, Ophelia chatting happily at his side. I kept pace with them, taking up position next to Verner, who’d managed to shuffle a few feet away from my still-fuming father.
“Are you okay?” Verner whispered, staring straight ahead at the crowd.
