Page 55 of Of Nightmares & Fire (Elusive Umbra #1)

Chapter forty-three

Kyros

My shadows coil around my arms like anxious snakes as I watch her interact with my people.

People she didn’t know only hours ago, but who have accepted her as she has them.

I take comfort in the dark corner; even though my open display of magick would be welcomed here in this village, it is a habit to keep it hidden.

Right now, though, I’m watching Astraea and thinking of everything that lies ahead of us and the way that the Tsalalerian steel at my hip makes my magick charge and writhe beneath the surface and all around my skin.

My anxious energy needs somewhere to go.

“Are you going to be brooding and hiding all night?” Mavros says as he sits at the table with me. He eyes the shadows we share and how they dance along my exposed forearms, where I’ve pushed the sleeves of my tunic up.

“I’m not hiding.” I scoff, taking another drink of ale. It’s warm, and I look into the tankard and suck my teeth before setting it back in front of me.

“Glad you can admit you are brooding, though…You want to tell me what has our magick so fucking wild tonight?” He asks, and I finally look at him.

I haven’t had a chance to bring him up to speed with everything that has happened yet, but I assumed Zinya has told him something.

His eyes drop to my belt and the sword that hangs from it.

Instead of answering with words, I slide the bag of sand across the table.

When he opens it and looks inside, his expression appears confused for a split second.

“Does this mean what I think it does?” He implores, his eyes lifting to the same woman I have been watching all night. She has no clue. No idea whatsoever that she has the power to change everything, and for the life of me I can’t figure out why.

“Yes,” I finally answer when he turns his head to face me. I keep my eyes on her, and as she dances in the center of the crowded room, I see only her. Just like in the palace before I had any idea.

“Fuck. What do you think that means for Queen Phaedra?” Mavros asks, and the muscle in my jaw feathers.

I’ve been asking myself that same question since I realized for sure that it is she who holds the key to restore magick to the kingdom.

The relic we thought we were searching for isn't what we expected.

I don't know what it means for Queen Phaedra, and it's why I wish we had more time.

I think we have even less than we thought, too.

“For now, the plan doesn’t change.” I say.

“Are you sure about that?” He laughs, setting his tankard down and leaning closer as his eyes follow my gaze and land on her, his tone becoming more serious.

“Because I think ever since she stumbled upon our path, she has changed everything…” My fingers curl into a fist where my arms rest on the table.

I push off the table, standing, and I face him.

“For now, the plan doesn’t change. We have a mission, and we don’t fail our missions. We will keep our word to both the queen and the princess by bringing them to one another. What happens next, we will deal with.” I growl, and he lets out a long breath with a shrug.

“Yea, whatever you say,” Mavros responds, and I stand to leave.

“Where are you going?” Astraea’s small finger pokes me in the chest with every word, surprising me.

I look down at it just as I did the last time she did this.

She sways on her feet before a hiccup escapes her, and she covers her mouth with her hand.

“Oh—Divine!” She laughs, and my hand whips out automatically to keep her from falling.

Shit. I didn't realize she was so drunk.

“I think you’re drunk, princess.” I say quietly, and she leans on me.

“Princess?” Her face twists up as she looks at me. “That's not what you call me. That's what everyone calls me— what Mavros calls me.” She exaggeratedly winks at my brother behind me, and he laughs.

“I think you need to get some sleep,” I whisper, looking at Zinya with pursed lips. She should know better than to allow her to get this messed up with such an important journey ahead of us.

“Whaaat is that name… the one you call me?” She looks up, her ear pressed to my chest and her eyes narrowed as she grips my forearm to keep from swaying. “Shhhh—” She looks to the sky as though the word is painted on the ceiling.

“Where is Colette? I will walk both of you back to her chambers.” I say, and she shushes again, swatting her hand out as though my words are a pest she is trying to make fly away.

“Shhhooma?” She says, and Mavros tilts his head, looking between the two of us.

“Bed. Astraea.” I say, and she blinks, pushing off of me but keeping her hands on my arms.

“Don’t tell me what to do! You go to bed. You are grumpy and no fun. You could dance with me again like you did in the palace.” She attempts to twirl in my arms but ends up almost crashing into the table beside us, but I manage to steady her.

“ Shula ,” I growl quietly in her ear as I wrap her in my arms. She pushes back again.

“Shula! That's right!” She announces loudly, and I watch Mavros’ face morph.

The joyous, amused smile fading into something serious and lined with shock.

Silently, I stare at him. Hoping that my eyes portray the seriousness and plea for him not to say anything, and thankfully he doesn’t, but he does look at Astraea again.

As though he is seeing her differently for the first time.

His lips purse as he shakes his head, and his eyes slowly drag back to me.

“Don’t say it,” I tell him through my teeth. Astraea is laughing again, oblivious to the silent conversation between brothers, as Zinya comes back over with Colette in tow.

“Zinny says I’m drunk and need to go to sleep.

” She laughs again as Zinya pins her and then Mavros with a look sharp as daggers.

“Did you know they celebrate for three dayssss? And the last day is your birthday!” Colette squeals, and Astraea giggles, pulling me close by burying her hands into my tunic.

“I should have been married off to one of the suitors on my birthday.” Astraea says, slurring the word suitors with emphasis. “My father would have never chosen you.” She whispers loudly as she leans in closer. “Do you know why?” She asks me, nose-to-nose now.

“I could guess a few reasons.” I respond stiffly, and she shakes her head.

“Because I would have.” My eyes lock with hers, and my pulse thunders in my ears.

Even though she is wasted off whiskey and ale, she is breathtaking.

My hands grip her hips, and I bring her in even closer as my brow furrows.

Again, she steals all of my careful control.

She pushes up on her tiptoes at the same time as she pulls hard on the fabric balled in her grip.

She kisses me . The world around us disappears.

My hands come up to cup both sides of her face as I kiss her back.

The taste of alcohol is so strong I am brought back to the present quickly, but it doesn’t stop me from stealing this moment.

Relishing in her words even if they are laced with delusion in her inebriated state.

“Let's get you to bed.” I say quietly, my lips still lingering close to hers, and she nods lazily before resting her head on my chest again. “There you go, Shula, you’re ok.” I whisper in her ear as I bend down and lift her into my arms. “Mav, keep an eye on Zinya.” I say, turning around only to be met with Mavros being straddled by Zinya and their tongues and hands battling for attention with each other.

I jerk my chin at Tarin in silent command to follow.

“I told her not to drink so much.” Colette laughs, twirling a strand of Astraea’s hair around her finger as it hangs loosely over my shoulder. “She didn’t listen.”

“I know.” I say, “Follow me, I’ll get you guys back to your chambers, and you can sleep it off.” Colette may be drunk too, but she nods, seeming a little more sensible than the woman in my arms.

“You know—” She says, kicking a rock as we leave the tavern and begin walking through the street. “She’s never been like this.” She continues but doesn’t elaborate.

“Drunk?” I ask.

“Oh, no, she has been drunk. I mean, she has never been like this… with a man…” She lets out a dry laugh.

“She’s never kissed a man in front of anyone before.

Not even me, but it’s more than that. I see the way she looks at you.

” My lips purse again as I look down at Astraea asleep in my arms. We walk up the stairs to the chambers that Astraea and Colette will share tonight.

Colette stumbles through the room lighting lanterns, and I lay Astraea down on the bed.

It's a little difficult, but I maneuver her so I can get the holster from her shoulders and unbuckle the dagger strapped to her thigh before placing them quietly on the bedside table.

She groans about the cold before I cover her with a blanket and remove her boots.

Her hand reaches out for me, and I let her lace our fingers together.

“Stay. I don’t want to be alone…” She blinks slowly before her breaths even out, and I know she is once again asleep. My brows pinch as I look at our hands. Threaded together, like our lives.

“You’re not alone, not anymore. Colette is here with you tonight.

I’ll be back in the morning, Shula.” I bend down, kissing her on the forehead.

“Stay with her.” I say, standing, my eyes landing on Colette while she regards me carefully.

“She is not safe like this. Viltarin will be standing guard at the bottom of the stairs until morning.” I say, and she scoffs before covering her mouth.

Obviously not intending to let the laugh out.

“I’m more protection than he is. I can pin him in the training ring.” She beams, and I can't help but laugh a little as well. Seeing as he is a decorated fighter who gives me and Mavros a run for our money, I’m sure that pinning him was only done because he wanted it. I won’t tell her that, though.

“Then you should protect her just fine, but he will be there in case you need anything.” My shadows leap from my skin when I snap the door shut behind me, a portal rendered just as Viltarin comes to his post.

“Boss.” He says, and I nod.

“If anything happens to either of them, you better hope they don’t leave you alive.” I growl, and he squares his chin .

“No one will bother them. You have my word.” He declares.

“Good.” I respond, turning and stepping through the portal.