He let out a rough sigh and ran a hand through his hair. “Do you truly want to marry the Commander of Death?”
“Why are you asking me that?” I blinked up at my first true friend, taken aback.
His gaze roamed my face for hesitation.
“I offered to take you somewhere far away, where you will be safe. That offer still stands.” His throat bobbed, voice serious.
My gaze lingered where I knew his birthmark lay beneath his shirt, my fingers drifting to my own at my sternum. Riven had never spoken of his mark, yet his quiet understanding of my darkness made me wonder what battles he fought alone.
I wanted to be upset, to feel offended or cornered—but all I could feel was how deeply he cared.
“My soul istiedto his.” I held up my left hand, examining the intricate lines that connected us.“I don’t want to run from him.”
His lips twitched, a shadow of amusement returned. “You and your idiotic heart.”
“Riven—”
“I want you to be happy, but I do not trusthim.”
“Would you trust anyone I wanted to be with?”
Riven huffed a laugh, a quiet, humourless sound. “Probably not. But I am worried about you.” He turned then, slowly. Like he was afraid any sudden movement might shatter whatever fragile calm existed in the room. His gaze dragged over me only once, not in desire, but like someone memorizing the face of a person they feared they were going to lose.
“Do you know what happens to a soul that binds itself to darkness?” he asked quietly.
My stomach dropped and I pressed my lips into a thin line.
“It consumes it,” he said softly. “Darkness swallows all.” Before I could reply, he moved again, coming to sit at the very edge of the bath. Close enough that I could see the tinyflecks of golden light buried in the darker grey of his eyes. The air between us felt charged as he dipped his hand into the water, just his fingertips. The ripples carried across the surface, touching my skin like a whisper.
“You deserve someonewarm,” he said quietly. “Someone that doesn’t consume and kill everything.”
I blinked at him, heart beating too fast. “He isn’t going to kill me, Riven.”
“I’m not saying hewantsto. But creatures like him can’t deny their natural instincts for long.” He stood abruptly, the moment snapping like a thread.
“I should check that Ronaldo hasn’t thrown himself off the balcony.”
I laughed weakly, tension breaking just enough for my heartbeat to settle.
Riven paused at the door, hand on the handle, shoulders tight. “I’ll be here at every moment. If you change your mind, I can take you away.”
The door clicked shut behind him and I pushed myself underwater. The water closed over my head, muting the world to a soft hum of blue and silver. But even beneath the surface, Riven’s warning clung to me, repeating in my head.Darkness swallows all.I exhaled in a stream of bubbles and resurfaced slowly, air cool against my heated skin.
A sharp knock rattled the door.
“My Lady!” Ronaldo screeched. “Please! We do not have much time.”
I sighed, dragging myself from the warm water and wrapping myself in one of the softest towels I had ever felt. The moment I stepped back into my chambers, chaos smothered every thought I had. Riven was nowhere to be seen.
“There you are!” Ronaldo gasped, hands flyingdramatically to his chest. “One would think you want to marry him looking like a drowned rodent.”
I laughed at his flourished words, his accent dragging over the syllables.
Cerilla gave me a knowing look, eyes softening as she patted one of the chairs where we often had tea.
“Sit, darling.” I obeyed and one of the maids dragged the large dressing mirror in front of us. My reflection looked pale and wide-eyed, silver hair damp and curling over my shoulders. Cerilla stood behind me, fingers gentle as she began combing through the wet strands. “You don’t have to be afraid.”
“I’m not,” I lied. The truth was, a small seed of doubt had been planted by Riven, and I wasn’t sure if I should let it grow. He had planned to kill me, I still didn’t knowwhy.
