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She had woken that first morning with shadows indeed all around her. Laying on that stone cold floor, she had watched with curiosity as they gently swirled around her like a lazy fog. They flowed amongst her hair. They climbed along her body like ivy. They wove between her fingers. They kissed her cheek. They whispered in her ear.

They made the help scream in terror when they came to bring her breakfast.

Mikale had been summoned home from the castle and had come raging into the room and stopped dead at the sight of her. He had kept his distance when he came to her room for the next few days, as if he continued to study her, only physically interacting with her to force her tonic. Until now, apparently.

She had studied the Darkness. She had watched it trail her footsteps as she moved about the room. At first, the shadows had terrified her until she realized they were studying her, too.

The Mark from that dream stood out vividly against her skin when she’d awoken as well, but the shadows swirled thickly around her forearm, keeping it hidden from the servants and Mikale.

“The shadows need to go, my pet,” he ground out from between his teeth.

“I cannot control the Darkness any more than I can control madness,” she said, leaning so close to him now they shared breath. “If you can make them leave, then be my guest, but Darkness is not so easily persuaded, Lordling.”

Mikale pulled back, and Scarlett merely blinked at the slight unease that had entered his eyes. “Should you pull any of your usual tricks or maneuvers, it is no longer your friends’ lives that will be in danger,” he said slowly. Scarlett did not react, so he continued. “Prince Callan himself may find himself in mortal danger, and arrangements may have already been made to make sure your dear Cassius gets the blame.”

“No one would believe Cassius would attempt to kill the prince,” Scarlett said, her tone bored. “Honestly, this is all one of your more idiotic ploys.”

“There you are,” he sneered. He brought his hand to her cheek, braving the shadows that curled around his fingers. “Cassius is already believed to be one of your former lovers. Who is to say jealousy did not get the best of him when he found you left him for the prince?”

“You would put Callan in such danger?” she asked, raising her brows.

“No, my pet,” he said, rising and looking down at her now. “I shall be the one who saves him.” He held a hand out to her, and she placed her own in his, allowing him to pull her to her feet. “Come.” He pressed a kiss to her cheek. “We have games to play tonight, Scarlett.”

CALLAN

The Crown Prince had dined at the Lairwood house more times than he could count. He had played here with Mikale as a child. They had never really been friends, not like he was with Finn and Sloan, but they had spent a lot of time together given the Lairwood’s family position.

Lady Veda met him at the door in a stunning dress of green and gold that put her ample cleavage on display. She doted and batted her lashes at him as she always did,and when servants had taken his cloak, she led him to the dining room, telling him how everyone else was already here. Sloan and Finn followed a respectable distance behind.

Callan entered the dining room to find the Tyndell children and Cassius already present. Lord Tyndell, it turned out, was unable to come to the last minute dinner, but sent his regards and delight at the pairing. Lord Lairwood himself was, of course, with his father. He looked around the room for the reason they were there. He did not believe the note he had received that stated Scarlett had become engaged to Mikale. He wouldn’t believe it until he saw it with his own eyes.

Cassius met his gaze warily, but did not approach him, not with Veda still clinging to his arm. The young Lady Tava, however, gracefully closed the distance between them. He had rarely noticed the woman. She was quiet and aloof and tended to remain in her brother’s shadow, but she approached now in a beautiful dress of teal and silver, the spirit amulet of Falein, the goddess of wisdom and cleverness, at her neck.

“Veda!” she cried. “I feel as though I have not seen you in ages.” She took Veda’s hands in her own and kissed the girl’s cheek.

“Tava,” Veda said, clearly taken aback by the behavior. “How are you?”

“Wonderful. How are you?” Tava gushed. “Are you so excited to have a sister-in-law? Scarlett is the best, although I must admit, I am a little jealous you are stealing her from our house.” As she said the words, her eyes locked onto Callan’s. “Forgive me, Prince,” she said, dropping Veda’s hands and curtseying before him. “You are well?”

He smiled at her. “I am well, Lady Tyndell. I am sorry your father could not join us.”

She waved her hand. “Oh, he is always traveling somewhere or another,” she said. “May I steal Lady Veda from you for a while? I want to hear everything she knows about the upcoming ceremony. I have not heard a word from Scarlett since she was brought here, although I am sure she is just so busy with preparations.” Her eyes narrowed at Veda as she said the words,and Veda moved to step back from her.

“Of course. Go discuss whatever it is Ladies discuss about such things. This is indeed an exciting time,” Callan said with a nod to the women. Tava pulled Veda away from him. Glancing over her shoulder, Tava flicked her eyes to Cassius. Callan understood the message and made his way to the Commander.

“Prince Callan,” Cassius said, bowing before him.

“Commander Redding,” Callan answered, then he turned to Drake. “Lord Drake.”

“Prince,” Drake answered with a bow.

“I trust you find your manor a little quieter these days,” Callan said, fixing a smile to his face.

“We miss hearing a voice that has gone quiet, yes,” Cassius said carefully.

Callan dropped his voice low. “What has happened?”

“It has all happened so quickly. We are all adjusting,” Drake replied conversationally.