“He wants assurance that you will not rise against him. That you will remain a shadow, never threatening his reign.”
The room felt hotter, the air denser. “What if I don't want to remain a shadow? What if I refuse to let him dictate my fate—or hers?” Cat strayed into my thoughts. I thought of the danger she was now in because of me, because of this tangled web in which we’d been snared.
Uncle Bai met my gaze, his expression solemn. “Then, Damien, you must be prepared for the worst. The emperor willnot hesitate to crush any threat, real or perceived. You must carefully plan each step. Remember, survival is not just about fighting; it's about knowing when to stay hidden and when to strike.”
His words, though frustratingly vague, rang with a warning I couldn’t ignore. If I wanted to protect myself and Cat, I needed to be smarter and more cautious. The game had changed, and so must I.
The air inside the volcanic chamber, usually rife with the scent of sulfur, suddenly shifted with an unexpected chill. Before Uncle Bai or I could react, a figure materialized out of thin air, the space around him shimmering like a disturbed pond. The man wore a long, flowing white silk robe, and snowy white hair fell all the way to his hips. But what arrested my attention were his lavender eyes and pointed ears. He was fae.
“Damien, I presume?” The man's voice was smooth, tinged with an accent that was unfamiliar yet oddly melodic. He inclined his head fractionally, his eyes glinting with a mischievous gleam. “I'm Klaus, a friend of... Kitty Cat,” he said, emphasizing the last words with a knowing look.
The nickname snapped through me like a whip, and I tightened my jaw as a growl rumbled in my chest. Uncle Bai sensed my tension and placed a steadying hand on my shoulder, a silent command to maintain control.
This must be her fae friend.
“What do you want?” I managed to grit out, struggling to keep my tone even.
Klaus's demeanor sobered as he straightened and became more business-like. “I bring a message from Kitty Cat. It seems the crown prince has presented himself at the Ryder residence with what he claims are betrothal gifts for her, decreed by the emperor.”
The words hit me like a physical blow, sending a surge of anger and protectiveness coursing through me. “Betrothal gifts?” I echoed, my voice laced with disbelief and bitterness. Part of me had hoped the emperor was lying, but now that hope was dashed. The bastard had arranged for her to marry Thorne.
But beyond that, Thorne accepted.
“Yes,” Klaus confirmed. His gaze briefly flickered around the space as if wary of unseen ears. “She negotiated a week's reprieve before being taken to Dragon Valley. Kitty Cat hopes to use this limited time to devise a plan.”
One week. The words echoed ominously in the volcano’s cavernous space. The unmistakable urgency of the situation pressed down with the weight of impending decisions.
Klaus shifted and his expression tightened. “I must return to Faelight Forest soon. My freedom to roam is... limited, and temporarily granted.”
He referred to the deal she made with him, which meant if he was here, it was because she’d recently put herself in danger to summon him. The thought drove waves of roiling anger through me. Fighting my instincts to run and steal her away, I gritted my teeth so hard I was afraid I would chip a tooth.
“Is… is she okay?” I asked hesitantly.
Klaus nodded and smirked. “She’s fine. Our dear Kitty Cat is quite formidable in a fight. Nonetheless, if she plans to call on me this week, she’ll have to…”
He left the sentence hanging, but I knew what he meant. She would need to place herself in dangerous situations so she could call on Klaus. I didn’t like it. Not one bit.
“Am I missing something here?” Uncle Bai interjected, clearly confused.
I hadn’t told him the truth about Cat. By the immortals… he would befurious. It was time to come clean… about everything.
I turned to the fae and nodded, feeling resolve settle deep within me. “Thank you for bringing this message, Klaus. Tell Cat... I'll take care of it.”
Klaus nodded, and a faint smile flitted across his face as he began to fade, his form dissolving into the air as subtly as it appeared. “I will. And Shadow Prince?” His voice lingered even as his image vanished. “Choose your next moves wisely. Not every fight is won by force.”
His advice echoed my uncle’s earlier warning. Stifling silence encompassed the room. Uncle Bai stood behind me, impatiently waiting for an explanation.
He cleared his throat. “Damien… who is Cat? What is going on?”
I sighed. “Cat is Lady Arya.” I turned to face him, reluctantly meeting his steely gaze. “Well, technically, she’spretendingto be Lady Arya.”
Uncle Bai’s brows furrowed. He took a few seconds to process the information, and I could almost see the wheels turning in his head as realization hit him. His eyes widened and he shouted, “Where is therealLady Arya?”
“In Cat’s world,” I calmly answered. “During the boating accident, Lady Arya fell overboard and she and Cat accidently switched places when they passed through an unknown portal in River Elara.”
Uncle Bai’s eyes were wide in shock. “So this Cat person… she’s not even from here?”
I shook my head.
