He chuckles, his piercing eyes traveling to mine. “Those are such filthy words to be coming out of the mouth of a princess, don’t you think.”
I grip the dagger firmly as he stands. His large body towers over mine, the top of my head barely reaching his chest. I refuse to back down, not in my own room. He steps backward, his back flush against the stone wall and his muscular chest directly in my sight as I point the blade at his throat.
Even though I could slit his throat at any second, his chest rises and falls steadily, showing no signs of fear.
“I’ll ask you again. What are you doing in my room?”
He remains utterly unfazed by the dagger now pressing into his olive skin. “Is that how you greet all your new acquaintances? By pushing them against a wall?”
“Only the ones who break into my bedroom,” I reply.
He leans closer to me. “Should I greet you the same way then, Briar Blackbyrne?”
My cheeks redden, and my gaze drifts to his chest at my eye level. I am instantly curious when I spot a few small scars peeking out from the top of his shirt. A flicker of emotion crosses his eyes for just a second, too brief for me to decipher what he's thinking. In an instant, his entire demeanor shifts as if he’s just becoming aware of how close we really are.
He blinks and hesitation laces his tone. “I can’t believe it's you.”
My heart skips a beat, and I lower the weapon. Stepping back a few paces, my head tilts to the side, “What are you talking about?”
Ignoring my questions, he responds, “I traveled a long way from Andorwood to meet you. I didn’t think you’d have a dagger at my throat so soon.” Silas looks down, our eyes meeting once more. “Plus, I saw how bored you were speaking with Rohhit in the hallway, so I thought I’d provide you some entertainment when you arrived back to your room.”
Like mine, Silas’s father, Malachi, has interesting punishment tactics. As a child, Silas made a name for himself, winning fights and defeating grown men who were much larger than he was. He was known to be ruthless and reckless, in addition to being ferociously handsome. Many women would risk their lives moving to Andorwood for a husband like him, and something about his voice lingers in my mind like a pleasurable melody. He was powerful, strong, and dangerous when provoked.
“No thanks.” I bite my tongue, “I’ve had of enough men telling me what I can and cannot do for the night.”
He stares longingly into my eyes as I refuse to break my stare. I feel a familiarity with him that immediately piques my interest.
“Now,pleaseget the hell out of my room before I call the guards or handle you myself,” I caution, pointing the dagger back in his direction.
He pushes off the wall, closing the small distance between us. “I’m pretty sure we’re here fighting for your hand in marriage because your father doubts his own guards and wants to grow Daramveer’s army. I can promise you I’m not afraid of them.” His eyes travel down my body, sending a thrill through my core. “You, on the other hand—you frighten me, Briar Blackbyrne.”
Shadows flicker off his body like shooting stars as he winks, walking toward the door. “Oh, and I’d watch yourself aroundRohhit if I were you. Don’t get too attached. Haven’t you always heard that nice guys finish last? Where’s the fun in that?” He shifts, leaving a trail of shadows in his wake.
Tonight has been enough, and I am ready to fall into the nothingness that my sleep has blessed me with these past few nights. I strip off my dress, leaving only my bare body and a dagger on the sheets. I close my eyes and welcome the darkness of sleep—the only darkness I haven’t minded in these past few days. I’ll need rest for what’s coming.
Black flames devour the world around me. I stand before a group of figures I once knew, no longer in control. The power flowing through me feels familiar but foreign. My eyes look down to see my brother lying in a pool of blood I created. Here, I killed my brother, and I know deep down he’s not alive in either world I visit anymore. I glance toward the castle of Daramveer, ash billowing into the skies. Thatcher holds my hand as I try to scream, the black flames taking over once more, not allowing my voice to break through.
Briar!
The voice screams in the distance as I try to run in its direction, but I am stopped by Thatcher’s grip.
“Finish this,” he screams.
Black fire shoots from my palms toward the figures before us, colliding with a boom that rattles my entire body. The smoke clears as I blink through the haze to find no one remains. I fall to my knees, desperate to be awoken from this nightmare, asThatcher rips my hair back, exposing my neck. “You are weak. You must fight. Let the darkness loose, you coward.”
He throws me on the ground. Anger floods my chest as I stand, the darkness turning on him. “You will pay for all the hurt you’ve caused in this world and others. I promise.”
Covered in sweat, I jolt awake.
“I’m Briar Blackbyrne, and I live in Daramveer,”I say aloud, regaining my composure. Scanning my room, I notice a note, likely pushed under the small crack of the door, lying in the middle of the floor. I leap from the bed, the sheet traveling with me.
“Today’s first task – archery. 3 pm. Do not be late.”
Chapter 13
Ihead through my heavy door, knowing there is something I must do before the most important day of my life, which may cost me everything. Navigating the hallways, I find myself standing in front of my father’s study, a room in this castle that I’ve only entered once before. Axl, who has been a guard to the King of Daramveer for years before I was born, brought me here the night my mother died. I waited for hours on his leather couch with my brother before he returned home, leading us to believe he saw her passing as an inconvenience.
I slip into his study, and his head snaps from the scattered papers he reads. “Briar,” he mutters. “You weren’t who I was expecting. What do I owe this wonderful pleasure?”
