Total pages in book: 169
Estimated words: 156210 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 781(@200wpm)___ 625(@250wpm)___ 521(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 156210 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 781(@200wpm)___ 625(@250wpm)___ 521(@300wpm)
Kyran’s murmur, low and dark, trails down my spine like a caress. “Indeed. I figured it’s time he meets his future subjects. And there’s no better day for that than the Ardournalia.”
The elf sucks in air, stares toward the other guard, and when he’s given a nod, he bows so low the cap he’s wearing almost falls off. “Welcome. I’ll… let them know.”
And with that, he’s gone, running past the bushes, toward the dark silhouettes outlined in pink.
We ride along the road without hurry. “What are they protecting the village from? The cows?” I’m joking, but I do want to know more about every aspect of this place.
“You would not want to meet any of the beasts roaming our lands, my dear,” Kyran says and tickles the underside of my chin, as if I was his pet cat. “This is a dangerous Realm.”
I shudder. At least the sea creatures stay in the water for the most part. Even the despairs can only roam on land for so long before they die.
“I guess you’re right. I’m just a human. I can’t bend shadows to my will or produce Sunlight. Hell, I don’t even see well in the dark,” I say as Kyran nudges Crab forward, toward buildings that could have been produced by the mind of Tim Burton. Narrow, with sharp edges and tall windows featuring stained glass, they look like a stylized movie set, yet people live here. Kyran’s people. As we come close enough to see details revealed by pink flames, I’m enchanted by the strange beauty around me.
“Commoners aren’t usually born into magic either and they learn to survive,” Kyran says and strokes my hand as we approach the source of the insistent music playing far ahead. It’s full of discordant sounds which somehow create a harmony that makes my feet itch for a feverish dance. It sounds pagan, wild, yet also sweet with longing, as if the instruments were made out of strings stolen from someone’s soul.
I glance back at Kyran even though every detail of the houses around us scream for my attention, from the candles burning with pink flame in the windows, to the colorful mushrooms planted by doors in massive dark seashells.
“They can’t just… learn it? I thought it was inherent to elves to see shadows the way you do.”
“Elves have the chance to be born with certain aptitudes, but no one can truly tell who will manifest talent in, say, shadowcraft. It’s most prevalent in certain noble bloodlines, yet Sylvan Goldweed can barely pick up a saucer with the strength of his shadow, while his sister was born with Sunlight burning inside her. It’s why we test all children, even those born to the simplest folk. Those who manifest special talents are invited to hone their shadowcraft on the Nocturne Court’s coin. With the forest always encroaching, we need all the skilled individuals we can get.”
My heart beats faster. “Could… I be tested? Is there any chance a human could secretly have a dormant power like that?”
Kyran strokes my hair. I sense the answer in his sigh, and my shoulders droop. “I can put you through the test, but it’s unlikely, my sweet. Unless a human has elven blood hiding within their ancestral line, it’s impossible for them to be born with a natural talent for any elven magic. Is that something you would like to possess?”
I glance ahead, where the pink light is much brighter, the music louder, and I’m already getting a glimpse of dark silhouettes dancing at the end of the street. Of course I’d love to be part of this world for real.
“I just… I wish I was special for once. I know it’s petty coming from someone who is your promised, and the future Dark Companion to the Lord of the Nocturne Court, but you have access to this whole world of shadows I can’t even really understand any of it. And I wish I could.”
Kyran goes quiet, his gaze becoming smokier when he presses a little kiss to my shoulder, as if he wants to tell me that to him I am special. I know I’m unusual to all the elves by the virtue of my species, but he is still the one who can manipulate shadows. He is still the prince, the one with all the power, and no matter what he claims now, sooner or later he will get bored of me.
I’m not used to being pursued, but the thought of losing his affection makes my throat close and my chest tighten around my heart.
“I’m sorry I didn’t give you everything you need,” Kyran whispers.
I laugh it off. “It’s okay, I’m used to disappointment. One time, I thought I’d treat myself to this special set of wax crayons, but on the day they were delivered, I had to stay late at work. They were left on the doorstep in the sunshine, and by the time I got back home, they all melted together. Sunshine is very hot,” I add, unsure if Kyran would understand.