Page 57 of Darkness Births the Stars #1

Tonight, though, was a time for revelry.

Aramaz had invited delegations from all races of Aron-Lyr to celebrate Midsummer, the longest day of the year.

The blue and green hair of Ashur’s Nyx shimmered like the waves of the Emerald Sea in the glow of the great bonfire that had been built on the grassy square in front of the King’s Hall.

Next to them, Sha’am’s Drakuul twirled their weapons in wild warrior dances, their scales and golden horns shining.

A few Aerieth soared through the air like large, colorful birds, their wings catching the breeze as they playfully chased each other.

“You’re late.”

Breath quickened from dancing, Zamani joined us at the edge of the gathering.

The skirts of her red dress flowed around her like the flickering flames of her aspect, enhancing her every graceful movement.

Our fellow Aurea’s violet eyes sparkled with excitement.

Like her children, the Djein, dance and music were in her blood.

“I swear,” she said, shaking her head, “if I had to tell the king one more time that you were still getting ready… Even Aramaz was starting to suspect something was amiss.”

“We are here now, aren’t we?” Tanez answered, her good mood undimmed by her sister’s words. “It just took a bit longer to achieve our goal.”

Zamani laughed, already appeased, and grabbed three goblets from a passing tray. “You have to try this mead. It’s delicious.” She handed one each to Tanez and me. “To your success,” she declared. “And the pleasure of outwitting mule-headed men.”

The mead was sweet, its warmth lingering on my tongue. After a few sips, my head began to spin. I glanced at Zamani in surprise.

She winked at a copper-haired Anima dancing past us with a Djein on each arm. “Oh yes,” she giggled. “Someone added a little magical touch to that barrel.”

I hesitated, then let the triumph of mastering my powers and the boisterous atmosphere overrule any doubt.

With Zamani’s wild cheer in my ear, I downed the rest of the goblet in one go.

The strong mead’s warmth spread through my belly and limbs, the sound of drums and fiddles beckoning my feet to join the dance.

Just as I was about to take the first step, a violent current pulsed through the air, making me stand still.

My body knew who had arrived even without the tense looks on every face around me.

A swooping feeling in my stomach, my breath catching, energy crackling on my skin.

The instincts of prey when a predator came closer.

But I was no prey. I was his queen. The only power he held over me was the power I granted him.

The thought made me square my shoulders and face the Aurea of Darkness, our gazes meeting over the raging bonfire.

He was made for this light: the dark waterfall of his hair cascaded around his shoulders like the night itself was captured in its strands, the flames casting flickering shadows over his full lips and high cheekbones as if compelled to caress him.

He stalked toward me, dressed in a black tunic with silver embroidery on the collar that emphasized the tall, strong lines of his body.

The crowd parted before him, hushed whispers following him.

Belekoroz had never appeared more dangerous than in this moment.

And he had never looked more tempting.

What should I do with you, my dark little secret?

The sound of the drums matched my pounding heartbeat as I stood there, frozen, looking up at his face.

“My queen.” His playful smile was not at all what I had expected. I surrendered my hand to him without resistance and he lifted it to his lips. “You look good enough to eat.”

His courteous kiss on my knuckles surely seemed polite enough to anyone else, but I had to stifle a gasp at the soft purr in my mind and the bold way his tongue tasted my skin. It sent a visceral wave of desire through me, heating my cheeks more than the mead.

“Belekoroz! How nice of you to join us.” Thankfully, Tanez saved me from having to respond. Her smile at the most notorious of our brethren was unusually enthusiastic. My lip twitched at Belekoroz’s questioning touch to my mind.

“She wants to provoke her husband,” I sent back.

“In that case…” His amused tone warned me he would seize the opportunity to wreak chaos without remorse.

I could only stare in astonishment as he gave both Tanez and Zamani a bright smile, smoothly complimenting their appearance and making them giggle like adolescent girls.

He had never been that charming toward me.

I rolled my eyes at the way his shadows danced around our fellow Aurea, leaving a hint of his powers upon them—a childish provocation both M’tar and Sha’am would surely notice .

“Ladies, if you will excuse me.” Something in the crowd had caught Belekoroz’s attention. Despite chastising myself, I felt a twinge of disappointment as he sauntered off with a polite nod at us.

A moment later, I had to stifle a gasp in my drink. Something had pinched my buttocks. The laughter in my head told me who had dared.

“Don’t fret, little queen,” Belekoroz sent back to me. “I’m not finished with you yet.”

The insolence made my blood boil. Did he sense the turmoil within me, the battle between my duty and my desire? A wild, irresponsible part of me longed to tangle with him tonight. I had mastered the Flame; surely I could master one arrogant man.

“Mmm, he can be delightful if he wants to be,” Zamani remarked, her eyes following the Aurea of Darkness. “Say what you want about his usual attitude, he certainly has a few good sides.” She let out a trilling laugh. “I wouldn’t mind playing with the dark a little.”

Tanez gasped in mock scandal. “Sister, never let Sha’am hear that. He would combust.”

The Aurea of Fire shrugged unapologetically. “Oh, believe me, I know that might be the only transgression he would never forgive me. But the forbidden has its allure, doesn’t it?”

More than it should.

“There were never any rumors of him taking a lover, were there?” Zamani’s question jolted me from my thoughts.

“No,” I replied, keeping my tone disinterested. “But most of the Anima are afraid of him.” While I enjoyed Zamani’s company, I remained cautious. There was a cunning mind behind those beautiful violet eyes.

“Not all, it seems,” she said as we spotted Belekoroz at the other side of the fire, deep in conversation with tall, handsome Masir.

M’tar’s second-in-command clearly did not share his master’s dislike for the Aurea of Darkness, judging by the way he threw back his head in laughter at something Belekoroz had said.

“I did not know those two were close,” Zamani added, her smile cheeky. “They are quite a sight to behold.” She raised one raven eyebrow at her sister. “Isn’t Masir your and M’tar’s little favorite?”

“That was ages ago.” Tanez handed us fresh goblets of mead.

“We decided mixing pleasure and work was too complicated. You know how seriously M’tar takes his forge.

” She took a sip of her drink, her green eyes on me.

“Besides, the king encourages us to follow mortal customs, sharing our bed only with the one we’re bound to. ”

“Order in every aspect of our existence.” Zamani hid an exaggerated yawn behind a slim, golden-brown hand. “For in Order we find purpose and in purpose we find peace. That’s what they say in the temple now, isn’t it?”

I sometimes wondered whether the king had encouraged these new teachings or if the stern-faced priests and priestesses, who had dedicated their existence to the powers of Order, had come up with them.

They were all too eager to control everyone’s lives, including ours, with their many rules.

Not that Aramaz seemed to mind their growing influence.

“Aramaz can be such a bore,” Zamani said, pulling me toward the dancing crowd. “ Lyr , it’s just sex. I don’t envy you, Baradaz. Let’s hope you can get him to soften a little after the two of you are bonded.”

Why did I feel they were probing for something? I put my half-empty goblet on a passing tray, my head already spinning. A wise decision, since a familiar presence soon interrupted our dance.

“Baradaz, there you are.” Aramaz looked magnificent in a white tunic with golden embroidery that matched my dress.

His long hair was neatly held in place by the crown M’tar had crafted for him.

The golden shards caught the light, making it seem as if the sun’s rays were upon him.

“I’ve been looking for you everywhere. People are waiting for us to dance.

” His warm smile softened the urgency of his words as he led me to the center of the festivities.

“Then we shouldn’t keep them waiting.” I squeezed his hand, ready to let the music carry me away. Perhaps this was the reminder of my duty that I needed.

Not that we got much opportunity to enjoy our dance. Aramaz had just begun to twirl me when an Elvish chieftain dressed in flowing robes interrupted us.

“My king, pardon me,” he said with a deep bow, his voice quavering with indignation. “But the behavior of those uncouth savages is unbearable. Can you imagine what they did to the wood carving we crafted in honor of the esteemed Council? They used it as hooks for their ham. Their ham!”

I had to stifle a laugh. No doubt he was talking about the Dwarves.

The Elves and M’tar’s children were famously at odds, with the Elves deeming the Dwarves uncivilized and the Dwarves considering the Elves arrogant.

The Elvish chieftain wasn’t the last petitioner.

Our journey across the feast grounds felt more like an audience than a dance.

I smiled courteously at each dignitary, chiming in occasionally when the conversation veered into familiar topics.

“I know what you’ve done.”

Aramaz’s gentle words shattered the comfortable haze my thoughts had settled into when we finally found a moment of solitude. I couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t possibly mean… He wouldn’t be this calm if he had any inkling of what I—

“M’tar will be furious.”

My betrothed’s next words almost made me sigh with relief. I put a slightly contrite look on my face. “Tanez believes it will do him good to be humbled a bit,” I replied.

Aramaz looked skeptical. “Is it wise to get involved in their disputes?”

I laughed, relieved that he seemed more amused than upset by my little stunt with the Dryads. “You know they’ll probably spend the next decade reconciling, and we won’t see much of them.”

“Exactly.” Curiosity made his blue eyes sparkle. “Did it work, though? Gifting magic to Tanez’s children?”

“It’s too early to tell, but it seemed so. There was a moment of…” I hesitated, unsure how to describe the wonderful feeling of my powers flowing through me in perfect harmony—for once not terrifying. “Righteousness. The magic knowing exactly where it needed to go.”

Aramaz smiled and pressed my hand in reassurance before twirling me again. “The Allfather didn’t gift you the Flame without reason, my love,” he said as the dance brought us back together. “You can trust your instincts.”

“You don’t disapprove of giving the mortals magic of their own?”

“Not on principle. I agree with my brother that it could have its benefits. We just need to ensure that the allure of power doesn’t overwhelm them.”

That was surprising. I had assumed Aramaz would side with M’tar regarding the lyr -stones and the question of using them. But then I remembered the king had remained silent during all the Council discussions.

“So you haven’t made up your mind yet?” I asked.

Aramaz shook his head. “It’s not an easy decision, and I wanted to make sure I had all the facts.” He raised my hand up as he swayed me to the music. “And ask for your opinion.”

“I’m not certain,” I admitted. “We should examine those stones more thoroughly, see what they can really accomplish. Perhaps a task for someone trustworthy. Without the eyes of the entire Council on the outcome.” I might even have someone in mind.

Aramaz’s smile grew at my suggestion. “Wise as always, my queen.” The touch of his lips to the back of my hand was as gentle as the expression in his eyes.

I smiled back. Tanez and Zamani were wrong, I thought.

Aramaz was a good match for me. The Allfather had been wise in choosing him as my spouse, in giving me guidance.

That… entanglement with Belekoroz was nothing more than a foolish distraction.

A passionate fire that would burn out as quickly as it had flamed up.

Aramaz’s grasp on me tightened as a shadow fell over us.

“Brother.” I knew the smooth voice ringing out only too well. Belekoroz had not forgotten his earlier promise. “I fear I have to steal your bride.”