Page 30 of Of Nightmares & Fire (Elusive Umbra #1)

Chapter twenty-five

Astraea

I don’t know how to feel about the suitors' challenge not being at the palace and not being there to see the outcome. Something about the way that my father was looking at Kyros… That, the nightmare, and the challenge in the library the night before have me on edge. I don’t want any of them to die, obviously, but the Kahzal brothers have become something…

I don’t know. They have presented a more genuine, maybe not friendship, but connection than many people who I have come in contact with inside these walls. I can’t let anything happen to Mavros.

“Astraea?” I look up from where I’ve wedged myself in the corner of the window seat in my room that overlooks the bailey. “ Are you okay?” Colette asks, crossing the room to look out at what holds my attention.

“It seems they can't get enough fighting in.” I say, pulling my knees tighter into my chest and wrapping my arms around my legs. “Do you think anyone will die in the dunes?”

“I think your father wouldn’t choose a place like that if it didn’t pose the threat of death.” She watches in silence with me for a while before she speaks again. “I snuck out of your room last night.” My eyes snap to her.

“Last night?”

“I wasn't gone long, but when I returned, that's when I found you crying out in pain. I’m so sorry I wasn't there sooner. Maybe I could have woken you before that happened to you. I—”

“Don’t. Cole, whatever is going on with these dreams, nothing about it rides on your shoulders. You could have done nothing to prevent it.” My brow furrows as I think about if that is actually a true statement, and as though she can read the look on my face, she shakes her head in denial.

“You don’t know that. I—I was just trying to come to terms with what Kellan did.

Both what he did for the king and then what he did to help me afterward.

I had to thank him, because I know if it had been anyone else to dole out that punishment, I wouldn’t be here today, Astraea.

” Her gaze drifts out the window again. “That’s not all I wanted to tell you, though. ”

“What is it?” I ask, following her gaze where it lingers on the men fighting in the center of a training ring set up in the shaded area of the grounds.

Mavros and Kyros are the ones fighting now, and the rest of the men stand with their arms crossed as they silently watch.

Their movements are different from the others. More fluid and relaxed.

“When I was meeting Kellan, it was in the stables… Kyros found us there. He was just returning with his horse. He said he was just letting his horse run, but why would he do that in the middle of the night?” Concern furrows her brow as she continues to watch them.

“You think he is lying?” She doesn’t answer but does shake her head.

“It makes sense. If his horse is used to running in Diemos, the weather there is much cooler and more wooded than desert. Daytime weather here could be too much for the horse.” She gives me a dubious look before turning away from the window.

She strides to the wardrobe and pulls a swath of fabric from it and turns, placing a dress out on my lounge.

“I had Calie bring something nice in for you to wear tonight. I thought you would like it, and after everything ugly happening recently, maybe something beautiful would give you even a tiny bit of happiness.” Calie is the castle seamstress; it’s a miracle that she is still around because you could convince me that she was magick merely because the gowns she makes are like none I have ever seen before.

They are like magick themselves. They are always the most beautiful and comfortable that I’ve ever worn.

“Oh, Cole.” I jump from the seat and pick the dress up, holding it up in front of me.

The fabric is a beautiful light gray silk with gold detail.

It has a plunging neckline, and the higher back will hide my scars.

The bell sleeves are airy and light and will be perfect for the cool desert night.

“This is beyond beautiful. Thank you, it's perfect.” Laying it back down carefully, I let my finger trail the neckline, and a sad smile tugs the corner of my lip up. I wish that a dress could mask the reality that is my life. It really is gorgeous, but I don’t know that anything could keep my mind from everything else that has been happening.

“Do you think that even though I am forced to partake in this courting, I could still find love? That there is something truly beautiful waiting for me somehow?” I ask as tears prickle the backs of my eyes and moisture blurs my vision.

Colette comes up to my side and takes my hand in hers, lacing our fingers together and looking out at the men below.

“I think that if we didn’t believe in finding true love, we never would.

The flame would never ignite and would never be the guiding light to find our twin flame.

” She says, and I can’t help the tear that escapes past my lashes.

If she notices, I do not know because, as if on cue, my eyes lock with the onyx gaze that I have felt lost in since we met.

“You believe that?” I ask her, unable to look away from him.

“Of course I do.”

“What if the shroud of darkness we live in is too thick for the flame to ignite? Are we stuck to an eternity of loneliness?” The question comes out before I can think otherwise.

I don’t want the answer, though, and regret asking as quickly as it came—I’m scared that the answer will only bring pain.

It’s a fear I have had to live with all my life .

“Astraea, there is no darkness that can withhold the light of the twin flame. It’s the night that evades the flame.” Finally, I look at her. She is still looking down at what held my gaze for so long. “He seems different.” She says, and I look back down at him.

“I think he is.” My voice is a whisper, but I know that she heard me, even though she doesn't say anything. She had already seen what I didn't want to before I was ready. She called me out on my infatuation with the new broody heir of Diemos almost immediately.

No matter, the day drags on, and I am forced to meet with my father to go over who I am to select tomorrow.

His decision has been made, and thus, so has mine.

He always manages to sour my mood. Colette nearly breaks into a run to catch me as I stomp out of the drawing room that held our conversation.

“Princess, we are meant to go to the dining room for lunch.” She says as she hustles to match my furious pace. I look around to ensure we are alone, and I release my breath in a huff of vexation.

“The whole thing is a lie! None of these suitors care about my hand, only the key it holds!” I round the next corner, and I hear her curse. “These challenges are a show of power, and the men only puppets. Toys for my father to flaunt how he can make them dance, Colette. Men! People!”

I stop suddenly and whirl around to face her. Her green eyes are wide, but her brows are pressed together in concern. I look around and notice that in my fit of rage through the castle, we are now not alone and at the archway that leads to the bailey. I need air .

“I want—”

“Someone sexy to feed you strawberries while you lounge in the shade?” Mavros comes around the corner, interrupting me with a huge grin on his face, wiping sweat from his body with the tunic balled into his hands.

Colette’s jaw nearly hits the ground, likely both from what he said to me, the princess, and the sight of him and Kyros as they come to stand in front of us.

“Or is the tall, dark, and grumpy more your type?” He laughs and nudges Kyros with his elbow. He doesn’t laugh, but I do, and Cole gawks at me.

“I was actually hoping to go for a walk in the conservatory. I need to get my mind off things.” I automatically look at Kyros, and although his lips are pursed as he wipes the sweat from his brow, I notice the curiosity in his eyes. “Would you guys like to come with us?”

“We are supposed to be going to the dining room. You missed lunch already, princess. You must be hungry.” Colette interjects.

“Oh goodie, I'm starving. You look like you know where the strawberries are kept. Lead the way, sweetheart.” Mavros gives Cole his infamous wink, and I swear she morphs into said strawberry where she stands.

“I'm fine. I lost my appetite after all of that. I’ll be fine on my own going to the conservatory, Cole. Go, show them the way to the dining room.” I place my hand on her shoulder, and she looks down at it in confusion.

I normally wouldn't speak with her like this in front of any other nobles for fear that my father would find out.

Something about Kyros and Mavros makes me feel more comfortable, though, and she notices .

“Ok… I will meet you in your chambers after, though, so I can help you get ready for dinner.” She says, and I nod in agreement. She looks to Kyros and then Mavros once more. “Ok, follow me.”

“I’ll escort you.” Kyros says, placing his tunic over his head and pulling it down over his tattooed torso. My eyes drag down with the motion of his shirt, and I have to force them back up to his face.

“It's not necessary.”

“Yet, I would still like to.” He says, and I clear my throat.

“Okay. This way.” Before we part ways, Colette catches my eye and wags her brows at me, making it hard not to smirk.

I lead Kyros across the bailey, through the sand and the baking sun, and when we step through the high doors that lead to the massive space filled with filigree, trees, and life, he closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.

“It feels like home.” He finally says, his eyes opening and landing on me, where I stand staring at him.