Chapter 2

-Darius-

I knew it was wrong to desire my half-brother’s wife. We had always been close and had each other’s backs, but secretly, I wanted her. I shook my head at myself as I sheathed my sword and joined the happy couple, who were embracing each other while admiring the festival.

“It all looks amazing. My queen knows how to throw a proper party,” Acan joked.

“Did you ever doubt me?” she teased.

“Never,” he said, kissing her lips before turning to me. “Darius, when did you arrive?”

“He saved me,” Katherine revealed.

“Saved you? Was there a fire I didn’t know about?” Acan asked, sounding concerned.

“No, a pole slipped from some workers’ hands, and he was able to pull me out of the way,” I explained.

“What?”

Right, “slipped”, I thought to myself.

“It’s fine. I’m alright. Mistakes happen.”

Mistakes… I thought again, meeting my brother’s gaze. Even he recognized the dangers lurking around his wife, and I could see genuine gratitude in his eyes when he heard that I had stepped in to save Katherine. But to protect her good heart, I knew he pretended it was just a mistake.

“Mistakes, yes,” Acan agreed, running his hand down her back as they both watched the festival. “Well, I can’t wait.”

“Me neither. It’s going to be amazing,” Katherine said, turning to me. “Darius?”

“Huh?”

“Who are you bringing?”

“Bringing?” I asked, puzzled.

“Come now, it’s the biggest festival of them all and only happens every five years. It’s fine if you don’t bring anyone to our other parties, but you can’t come alone to this one,” she said, almost scolding me for not bringing any ladies. Yet there was only one woman I wanted—one who didn’t fear me.

“I think you know I prefer solitude.”

“No, you don’t. You act like you do.”

“Oh, and you know me so well?” I asked.

“I do,” she replied with a proud smile, making my heart race.

“Leave him be,” Acan interjected with a smile. “If he wanted to bring someone, he would have told us.”

“I just think there are so many wonderful women out there, and this festival is special,” Katherine insisted.

“Yes, so shouldn’t I bring someone I care for?” I replied.

“But you could start caring for someone tonight!”

“I’m good, my queen.”

“Katherine,” she corrected.

“My queen,” I repeated.

“Katherine.”

“Queen.”

“Katherine!”

“Enough!” Acan cut in, as our playful argument began to resemble a childlike squabble. Despite the banter, we were all smiling—Katherine more so, but I knew she could see that I enjoyed our exchanges as well. “You two sometimes make my head ache.”

“Oh, are we that annoying, my king?” Katherine teased.

“Acan,” he joined in on the joke, and we all laughed.

“Really, bring someone,” Katherine said, turning to me once more.

“Can I not just have my fun on my own?” I asked.

“That sounds so sad,” Katherine replied.

“I’m fine,” I insisted.

“No, I’m going to make it my mission to find someone for you!”

“Really, there’s no need,” I said, not wanting to entertain some lady all night when I knew there was only one I wanted to be with. She would be by my brother’s side the entire night, smiling, kissing him, loving him, while I would watch from afar, dreaming of the same.

“No, really, I’m sure I can find someone,” Katherine persisted.

I sighed, and I knew my brother noticed.

“How about you bring Silver?” my brother suggested.

“Oh, Silver!” Katherine exclaimed.

“Silver? Really?” I asked, looking at Acan.

He shrugged, then glanced at Katherine, who was distracted by something and had run off. Acan moved closer. “I thought it was the best way to get Katherine off your back. Besides, you don’t have to pretend around Silver. You both know you dislike each other, and there’s no need to act.”

My brother had a point, and I knew he saw it in my eyes. He slammed his hand against my chest but quickly withdrew it, sensing the darkness lurking beneath my skin, ready to absorb his energy. It wasn’t intentional, but it was best not to touch me directly. Katherine was the only one I could touch without inadvertently draining her, as she lacked any powers for me to absorb. Other humans were safe too, though it was rare for me to enter human kingdoms—there weren’t many of them.

“Shall I ask her?” he suggested.

“Doesn’t she already have someone?” I asked, aware of how popular Silver was.

“You know she enjoys coming alone.”

“Yes, because of all the attention she gets anyway.”

“Exactly!” he said with a smile. “So just take her. Katherine will be happy, and you two can part ways when my wife looks away. Then we can all have a pleasant evening.”

“I hate her.”

“I know. She hates you too,” Acan laughed.

“Fine!”