“That was a heavy plot,” I said. “I haven’t thought about that in a while.”
Blake had a skeptical glint in his eye. “It’s certainly a bold choice. Theater can be quite enjoyable, though. We came towatch the auditions. Everyone seems to get excited about the plays this time of year.”
I sat down with Blake as the lights dimmed. Professor Elara sat in the front row. The crowd hushed as she called the first set of students for their audition.
As we watched several roles be read out, I began to wonder what this play was about.
I recalled how this was translated from Valyrian early last semester. I leaned over and whispered to Blake, “This story is about mages, then?”
Blake nodded. “Yes, it is also based on real parts of Valyrian history. Supposedly, it is the story of a generation that lived a thousand years ago. It’s largely been turned into a tragic love story, and while some of it is true, it is not clear to what degree.”
When my name was called, Professor Elara glanced over, then to Blake. She perked up at the sight of him.
“Blake,” she said, her tone sweeter than honey. “Won’t you do us the honor of supporting Miss Kamoria as she auditions? It won’t take long.
He raised an eyebrow at her but acquiesced soon enough.
She handed each of us a script with a section highlighted.
“You’ll be reading the role of Adara,” she said. “Good luck!”
I took the booklet that was already opened with a section highlighted and slowly climbed the stairs to the stage. How had I got myself in this mess again?
Whatever. Maybe it’d be fun. As I looked around the theater, I saw nothing but shadows. It was silent, and I looked at Blake. He’d be reading the part of King Aryus, and I Queen Adara.
Blake’s smooth voice surprised me when he spoke, his words woven together like a delicate piece of silk. “Your presence is unexpected. What does this mean, my love? I’ve missed you. To taste your lips is as welcome as the first ray of light after the long darkness finally breaks.”
He neared me, his eyes on mine. “I’ve missed you, my love. My days in this sunbathed city have been the darkest I’ve ever known. I’ve tried, how I’ve tried, but there’s nothing within him but thick blood and hard bone. Love—it’s not there, not anywhere, not within him, not without, in any shape or any form, for me or my son to find. Our child, bless him, Daodyn’s and mine, has at least brought me joy of a different kind. But alone I am here, my heart no longer mine. It is you, dark prince, for whom I doth pine.”
The ill-fated couple shares a kiss.
I froze. Everyone was watching us. Not a single breath was taken in the room. Even the air was still. Were we expected to kiss for an audition? Blake smirked and I exhaled with a nervous smile of acquiescence.
He touched my chin, directing my gaze up to his as he stepped closer to me. My heart was beating rapidly. I didn’t move as his lips gently touched mine. It was chaste and innocent, so gentle it left me leaning in longing for more but he stayed in control of his proximity as his lips moved against mine.
His kiss was poetic, an act of pure grace, not one I’d call familiar. No, those I could taste. I mentally smacked myself, trying to shake the flowery dialogue from the script. The noise of the theater faded into my mind like someone was turning the volume up. They were cheering, some even making cat calls as Blake pulled away from me. My cheeks burned and I bolted to my seat, not looking at him again.
I slouched low in my seat for the rest of the auditions.
I was sayinggoodbye to Blake in the crowded corridor outside the theater when I noticed Ezreal with Roslyn.
Roslyn did not look pleased; her expression was cross and did not meet his intense stare.
“I’ve never seen Ezreal around Ros in public like that,” I muttered to Blake.
He glanced at them, his mood darkening. “Neither have I.”
Ezreal tried to touch her arm, but Roslyn jerked away before moving down the corridor with him close behind and out of sight.
I moved to go after t but Blake stopped me.
“I will check on Roslyn,” he said. “I do not want you anywhere near Ezreal.”
His look clearly said not to argue, so I nodded. He gave me one last look as if expecting me to disobey before he went after them, leaving me there.
“Feeling left out?”
I whipped around, finding Melanie behind me in the center of the corridor with a smug look.
