Page 69 of Of Nightmares & Fire (Elusive Umbra #1)

“I’m not afraid of you.” My voice betrays me, coming out as a whisper, and his eyes darken into black diamonds, reflecting the candles in the sconces on the walls.

I may not be afraid of him, but I am terrified of the way my heart flips every time I look at him and he looks back.

“Even if I was, wasn’t it you who told me not to hide from my nightmares?

” He smiles at my question, and it's wicked and beautiful and heats every part of my skin. My lips part as he leans in close.

I am an unwed princess; I shouldn’t be anywhere near as close as I am to him, especially in public, but yet I feel myself leaning in.

The skin along my arms tickles, and I look down to see his shadows beginning to seep from his dark clothing like an evaporating moisture in the heat that seems to be ever-growing between us.

It reaches for me and caresses the skin along my arms that are bent between us.

Even though magick such as this is completely new to me, I feel at ease.

As though the darkness that it is matches something that lives in my soul and wants to mingle and play with it.

It slides along my chest and the column of my neck. Kyros watches with fervor as he trails the dark tendrils across my skin without a care that so many eyes linger on us. My head tilts back as the shadow curls like a finger, lifting my chin.

“Your heart is telling me otherwise, Shula.” His breath puffs out over my lips, and the scent of whiskey tickles my nose.

“My heart is a fickle beast.” I smile, dropping my eyes to his lips.

“Oh? I think your heart knows precisely what it wants.” He whispers the words into my lips.

I close my eyes because at this moment, I know that he is right.

Every time I am near him, my eyes track his movements.

My heart races in anticipation of his touch.

My insides are warm, and my skin comes alive.

He evokes a sense of power and strength I forgot I even had.

Everything that he said to me as we watched the sun paint the sky floods me, and I realize that it's the power he holds over me that I fear the most.

All my life I have been under the control of a man who wanted nothing more than to break everything about me.

I’ve been locked away and only ever been taught what it was he was willing to let me learn.

All those years that my father ruled over my life and the lives of everyone in Eathian, he unknowingly taught me more than he could have imagined.

I’ve learned what it is I never want to be.

I learned that pushing violence and fear is not how I would ever want to lead people, and I’ve learned that just because someone shares blood with you doesn’t mean that they share the same values.

He taught me what it is to have everything, yet feel as though you have nothing, but it’s through all of this, he taught me to love.

Not in the conventional way, but in everything that he didn’t do. He taught me to see a person, not for the words they speak, but for their actions; for how they treat those around them; for how they treat me.

Kyros has been unkind, rude, and downright annoying, but one thing has stayed consistent through it all. He has pushed me out of my comforts. He has built up strength, resilience, and fight within me, which I thought my father had beaten out. He has shown me that he can love.

“Kiss me.” The words barely slip from my lips before he takes them.

His tongue dives into my mouth, and mine meets his in a clashing dance of dominance.

I don’t notice anything that is happening around us.

I feel nothing but the searing line that his touch makes as his hand slides up my spine and he pulls me impossibly closer.

When the kiss finally breaks, I slowly become aware of my surroundings.

Colette’s shocked face is the first I see as her eyes bulge wide.

Mavros grins from ear to ear, and Zinya has a look of worry pinching her features.

“I think it’s time we call it a night.” Zinya says. I feel like I am a child who was just caught doing something she shouldn’t have been, and I guess in a way it’s true. “It's a big day tomorrow.” Zinya continues pinning that glare at Kyros.

Tomorrow.

The day I was supposed to marry.

The day that celebrates the death of my mother .

The day that celebrates my birth and the downfall of a kingdom that was once loved.

“She’s right. You need to get some sleep.

One of the things that we discussed in our meeting was that you are not to be left alone.

Zinya will be staying with you and Colette tonight.

I know we talked about only letting go of our responsibilities until we are on the way to Diemos, but I won’t leave you unprotected while you are sleeping—not after everything.

” Kyros says, stepping into me. I know he senses a fight coming back about this, but for once I agree.

I don’t want to be left alone and feel much better about having Zinya and Colette there.

I pull my lip between my teeth and nod. Tomorrow is going to be an emotional day, and I would rather spend the night gathering my strength rather than trying to pick up the pieces of the aftermath.

“You’re right.” I say, pulling a surprised look across Kyros’ face.

Kyros takes my hand, squeezes, then nods to the others before guiding me from the dining room.

I just hope that the nightmare stays at bay, that tomorrow is better than it’s ever been, and that I can get through every one of these new emotions.