I want to punch him in Luke’s name, but why give him more bruises to whine about when Tristan remains on the edge of death and my promised is out there all alone with the damn Goldweeds?
“You have no idea,” I tell him and rush right past him, because I willnotask him for a ride.
At least he keeps any snide comments he might have to himself, and I walk off feeling his eyes on my back. I can only hope that as soon as Luke is my Dark Companion, they will stop their petty bullshit and admit defeat.
Chapter 36
Luke
The attempt on Kyran’s life a week ago was a jarring reminder that, for all its beauty, the Nightmare Realm is no fairytale. Being the heir apparent’s promised places a target on my back as well as his, since getting rid of me would mean Kyran cannot formally ascend the throne. I can imagine Baroness Olivia Goldweed and her husband would be perfectly happy to take their chances against Heartbreak without Dark Companions of their own, if that means any of their children get closer to wearing a crown.
I’m so grateful that Kyran, my dark prince with eyes like smoke and arms I don’t want to ever leave, offered me the gift of shadowcraft so I can be that little bit safer.
It was a shock to everyone, I can see it in their eyes, butmy manchose to give up on more power to upliftme. To fulfillmydreams and make us a bit more equal. I’m so proud that just moments after receiving the dark gift I was able to use it for good and help keep Tristan alive.
I don’t need declarations of love when Kyran offered methat.
Though an I-love-you would have been very, very welcome.
“Careful,” Kyran tells me, pushing the blade of his sword against a column of shadow I erected. “Now that you can manipulate it, it’s become a part of you. You can get hurt,” he says, and I flinch, sensing a pressure at the tips of my fingers.
My breath hitches, even though I’ve felt it before. I’m still not used to something outside my body being touchable. The other day, Kyran tickled my shadow when he taught me how to make it material, and it was the most disconcerting feeling. Maybe that’s what the sensation in a phantom limb is like?
Then again, the shadow is most definitelynotphantom.
I have a long way to go until I can gain anything close to proficiency, even if I’m making progress. At least the novelty of gaining such a power makes me want to practice all the time and explore what it can do.
We’re in a room Kyran reserves for our practice. It’s mostly empty, with high ceilings, dark walls and long heavy curtains. For now, massive windows let in the silver light of the moon. In just five days, it will rise red, and the Blood Moon will mark our wedding day.
To say I can’t wait would be an understatement.
My life has spun off track within a month. I wouldn’t dream of leaving him at the altar like last time. In fact, if someone tried to stop me from marrying Kyran, I’d fight them tooth and nail, because he’s proven himself to be the man of my dreams. I can barely believe I will get to promise him a forever in front of everyone, and that I will get to live out my days in this magical realm, far away from my hateful mother, mocking sneers, and all the people who ever made me miserable.
I, Luke Moor, who thought he’d never grow to trust anyone, will have an actual happily ever after.
How crazy is that?
Maybe I did get hit on the head in the parking lot behind Best Burger Bonanza, and all this is an elaborate coma dream? But if that’s the case, I want to keep on dreaming, because my reality has never felt this good.
“But Tristan said my shadow is impossible to shatter, even for Heartbreak. That it’s why dipping Gloomdancer in it as we battle Heartbreak will make such a difference.”
He nods. “But then it’smeusing your shadow. There’s a lot more to it, as you will learn, but this is different. If I attacked the shadow you’re manipulating, I could hurt you through it.”
I frown, confused. “WouldIbleed or my shadow?Cana shadow bleed?”
“No,” Kyran says and makes a little slash with his sword. I whine, stepping away when my index finger stings. It’s a tiny cut, but I stare at it, deafened by the thudding of my own heart.
He pulls my hand close and sucks the injured digit to stop the bleeding. “I’m sorry. You will learn to avoid this. I should have warned you. I don’t want to hurt you, but you did say not to go easy on you.”
A whiney part of me regrets that a little, but I know I’ll remember this lesson better after experiencing the consequences.
And then he does make it better with a kiss. “We’ll put some salve on it later,” he adds.
I have to take a deep breath. “Thank you. I’ve never been particularly brave, but now I want to be. For you. Because I have to be ready to aid you when Heartbreak comes. Or whenever you need me.”
Kyran stalls, his eyes, dark gray as if they’re swirling with wisps of smoke, are focused on my face, and I offer him a smile.
I used to sometimes dress very much out of the norm when going to parties, or when I was feeling rebellious, but even then, I was stared at rather thanseen. Kyran? He actuallyseesme for who I am and never seems bored of that person. He is not going to attempt to change me. He won't have his fun and leave. He wants me to share everything with him, and that is more than anyone has ever offered me.
