“Then enlighten me,” he said, crossing his arms over his broad chest. “Because the Silver I know would tell his parents togo fuck themselves if they tried to force him into some arranged marriage bullshit.”
I sighed, looking out across the water. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the campus. It reminded me of home, of the perpetual twilight that gave my realm its name. I missed it sometimes, despite everything waiting for me there.
“My family isn’t like yours,” I said finally. “There are... expectations. Duties that can’t be ignored.”
“What kind of duties?”
I stared at Karrick for a long moment, weighing my options. I’d kept this secret for so long that revealing it now felt like stepping off a cliff. But maybe it was time. Maybe I needed someone else to know the truth.
“I’m not just any dark elf, Karrick,” I said quietly. “My full name is Prince Silver Umubra Crenethiel Erestolal, heir to the Twilight Throne.”
Karrick’s jaw literally dropped. His furry face went slack with shock, and for once in his life, he was completely speechless.
“You’re... a prince?” he finally managed, his voice barely above a whisper. “Like, an actual fucking prince? With a crown and shit?”
I nodded, glancing around to make sure no one was within earshot. “Yes. And when I graduate, I have to go back and assume my duties as crown prince. Which includes marrying the bride my parents have chosen for me.”
“Holy... fucking... shit.” Karrick ran his clawed hands through the fur on his head, his eyes wide with disbelief. “How have you kept this secret for four years? Does anyone else know?”
“No one at Widdershins knows,” I replied. “That was the deal I made with my father. Four years of freedom, of just being Silver the football player, not Prince Silver. Then I go home and be the dutiful son he expects.”
Karrick let out a low whistle. “That explains so much. The way you always dodge questions about your family, why you never invite anyone to visit during breaks, the fancy-ass clothes you sometimes wear when you think no one’s looking...”
“You noticed that?” I asked, surprised.
“Dude, I’m your best friend. Of course I noticed.” He punched my shoulder lightly. “I just figured you were embarrassed about being rich or something. Not that you were literal royalty.”
I sank down onto a nearby bench, feeling oddly relieved now that the truth was out. “Well, now you know why I can’t just tell my parents to fuck off. The entire Twilight Realm is waiting for me to come home and take my place.”
Karrick sat beside me, the bench creaking under his weight. “So that’s why you can’t take Ash with you? Because he’s human?”
“Humans aren’t allowed in the Twilight Realm except under very specific circumstances,” I explained. “And even if they were, I’m expected to marry a noble dark elf woman and produce the next heir. There’s no place for...” I trailed off, not sure how to finish that sentence.
“For love?” Karrick supplied, his voice surprisingly gentle.
I shot him a glare. “Don’t be ridiculous. I barely know Ash. This isn’t about love.”
“But it could be,” Karrick said, his yellow eyes searching my face. “I’ve never seen you this hung up on a guy before, Silver. Usually you just fuck ‘em and dump ‘em.”
“Thanks,” I muttered. “You make me sound so wonderful.”
“No judgement from me,” he said, taking a seat next to me. “I was just like you until last year. Until Phoenix came along.”
He had that faraway look in his eyes he always got when talking about his mate. Karrick was perfectly satiated in every way by his relationship. It was everything he’d ever wanted andthen some. Sure, they had to go through hell to make it possible thanks to Phoenix’s parents, but now they were together and blissfully happy. I envied them so much. I wouldneverhave that.
“I just wish I could forget about him,” I said at last, burying my face in my hands. “I don’t know why I can’t. Every other guy is easy to forget. But this one… all I did was kiss him and he’s so far under my skin I can barely fucking think. I think of him all day and dream about him all night. It’s irritating as fuck.”
“Maybe he’s your mate,” Karrick offered.
“Dark Elves don’t have mates.”
“Neither do Beastkin,” he replied. “Or at least, it’s super rare.”
I shook my head. “That’s just not possible.”
Karrick shifted, turning to face me. “What does it feel like when you’re around him? When you touch him?”
“Like electricity,” I admitted, staring down at my hands. “Every time we touch, it’s like this jolt goes through me. And his shadow magic… it reacts to me. The shadows reach for me, like they’re drawn to me somehow.”
