Chapter 1
Silver
“What do you mean you’ve already picked out a bride for me?” I scoffed, not believing what I was hearing. “You told me I could pick one after I graduated!”
My mother just shook her head, staring down at her wine glass. However, my father stood up from his throne, his gaze intense as he stared down at me.
“You are the prince of the Twilight Realm, Silver Erestolal,” he growled, his teeth on edge. “You should have already been married for the past two years. But instead, you continue this foolishness at thatwitchacademy.”
“Yougaveme permission to go!” I shot back. “Is this how the king of the Twilight Realm keeps his promises? Does his impatience overrule past commitments?”
“SILENCE!”
My father’s voice rang through the throne room. Behind me, I heard the guards shift uncomfortably. I knew calling my father a liar would get his attention, though. If there was one thing he didn’t like brought into question, it was his honor as king.
“How dare you question me in my own throne room,” he hissed, his crown now slightly askew. There was a pink tinge tohis cheeks, proof that he wasactuallypissed at me. “My own son!”
“I am merely reminding hishighnessthat we made a deal,” I replied. “And mother can back me up on that. You said I could have four years at Widdershins Academy to do whatever I wanted. And then, when I was finished, I would come home and be the dutiful prince you’ve always wanted me to be.” I caught his gaze, holding it despite his irritation. “If I recall correctly, you had a similar deal with your own father.”
I watched as the wind was pulled from his sails and his anger faded.
“Fine,” he snapped, giving me a dismissive wave. “But I made no such promises about your future wife. She has been chosen. That is the way of it. When you return, you will marry her, as is your princely duty, and become a proper heir to the throne. No more of this…nonsense.”
Well… that wasn’t exactly the outcome I wanted, but it was the best I was going to get. Being a prince meant I had power, wealth, and I pretty much always got my way when I wasn’t dealing with my parents. But it also meant I didn’t get a choice about how I lived my life, who I married, or where I would end up. One day I would be king of the Twilight Realm, the land of the dark elves. In that way, my life was completely set in stone. There would be no deviation.
That’s why Widdershins was so important to me. It was my one chance at freedom before the shackles of royal responsibility locked me in place forever.
I stormed out of the throne room, not bothering to bow as protocol demanded. Let them be angry. I was past caring at this point. My boots echoed against the obsidian floors as I marched through the palace corridors, servants wisely stepping out of my way. The purple glow of twilight filtered through the tall windows, a perpetual dusk that gave our realm its name.
“Young master,” called a familiar voice.
I turned to see Caldwell, our family’s head butler since before I was born. His silver hair was immaculately styled despite its length, and his dark purple skin was a shade deeper than mine, marked with the elegant white lines that denoted his long years of service.
“What is it, Caldwell? I’m leaving.” My voice came out harsher than I intended.
“I merely wished to inform you that your belongings have already been sent to your dormitory at the academy.” His expression remained professionally neutral, but I caught the slight softening around his eyes. “Everything has been prepared according to your preferences.”
My anger deflated a bit. Caldwell had always looked out for me, even when my parents were being impossible. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”
“Of course, young master.” He gave a slight bow. “And might I add, your grandfather also faced similar... challenges in his youth. Things have a way of working themselves out.”
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. Caldwell knew more than he let on. He always did.
With a deep breath, I stepped into the center of the foyer, where a large arcane circle had been inlaid into the floor with bright platinum wire. I focused my energy on the teleportation spell embedded there, picturing the stone circle at Widdershins Academy. The familiar tingle of magic coursed through my veins as my body dissolved into particles of twilight essence.
When I rematerialized, the late afternoon sun of the mortal realm nearly blinded me. The familiar circle of ancient stones hummed with residual magic, welcoming me back. I took a deep breath of the crisp autumn air, letting it fill my lungs. Gods, I’d missed this place.
Students in their hoodies hurried across the grounds, some stopping to wave at me. A few called out greetings that I returned with practiced ease, slipping back into my role as Silver the popular athlete, not Silver the crown prince of an entire realm. The weight on my shoulders seemed to lighten with each step I took away from the stones. And as soon as I stepped through the giant wrought-iron gate marking the entrance to the academy, I felt perfectly at home again.
My dorm building loomed ahead, its spires reaching toward the sky. This was my real home, at least for one final year. One last chance to be myself before I was forced to marry some noble elf woman I’d never met and produce the next heir to the Twilight Throne.
One last year to be with men like me, to feel their bodies against mine, to pretend I could have the life I actually wanted.
I clenched my jaw. I wouldn’t waste my last year at Widdershins wallowing in self-pity. I’d make the most of every moment, every touch, and every kiss.
I entered my dorm building and took the stairs two at a time, eager to see my room again. Third floor, east wing, the room at the very end. It was the same place I’d lived last year. I’d requested it specifically because the morning light through those windows was perfect for my morning meditations.
The hallway was bustling with returning students. Familiar faces brightened when they saw me, hands clapping my shoulders, voices calling out my name. I smiled and nodded, playing my part perfectly. Silver at school was the confident, charming, and untouchable athlete. If only they knew how my stomach churned with anxiety beneath my easy grin.
