A Dance of Silver and Shadow (Beyond the Four Kingdoms, #1)

by Melanie Cellier

No one had stated outright the reason for our inclusion, but none of us were foolish. We knew we were the only three unmarried princesses left in the Four Kingdoms.

Celine sighed. “You know I have six older siblings, right? You could consider letting me have my moment of glory.” Sophie looked down, biting back a smile. “If there’s any glory to be had, I promise to step briskly to the side.” Celine looked at her, a twinkle in her eye, but her voice grave. “Thank you, Sophie, I appreciate that.”

You know I love her, but she’s a bit much sometimes, I projected. Sophie disappeared from the room, propelled by the leader of the women. She wouldn’t be Celine if she wasn’t,

How many princesses do these lands have? It’s the princes I’m more interested in, Sophie replied with a giggle.

Sophie sent me an image of rolled eyes. I wasn’t thinking about alliances. I was thinking about how handsome he looks.

He grimaced, and now that I understood his look of horror was for me, rather than about me, I found it oddly endearing.

“If you’re truly sorry, you don’t go for the easy apology.” He leaned in close and whispered in my ear. “I wanted the twin with fire in her eyes.”

For a wild moment I wanted to say no. To insist he continue to use my title before my name. To attempt to put up some sort of wall between me and this prince who somehow managed to get under my skin.

“Perhaps we’re now supposed to fight to the death,” said Celine.

“Goodness, this place is creepy,” muttered Celine.

He stepped forward and pulled me into his arms. For a moment I resisted, and then I melted against him—glad, just briefly, to rely on someone else’s strength.

“Why?” I asked instead, keeping my voice light. “Are you jealous?” He propped himself up on one elbow and met my eyes. “Of Celine’s dancing partner? No.” I looked away, a faint flush creeping up my neck.

Oh, for goodness sake! Sophie sounded half-exasperated, half-amused. You’re sitting in the sun on a beautiful day with a rather attractive prince. You should be flirting, not talking politics!

“Yes,” he grinned over at me ruefully. “I often have lovely young ladies lining up to compliment me on my responsibility. A truly attractive quality.” I laughed. “You don’t? You shock me.

Well, did you? And don’t say ‘Of course, I did’! Of course I did! Sophie’s placid reply almost made me laugh out loud.

Who were we fooling? We didn’t pick the most practical dresses after all, did we? I shook my head at our foolishness. We just picked our favorites. Perhaps our greatest need was for a little extra courage? Sophie suggested. That has its own practicality.

I had already decided I had no time for flirting, and now my heart needed to fall into line.

Heat crept up my cheeks, and I told myself I did not feel a thrill shooting through me at his closeness and the feel of his warm breath against my face. But I didn’t seem to be listening.

The other one giggled. “He’s been lurking out in that corridor a lot the last two days. And looking awfully worried.” “His highness?” asked Sophie politely. But I could hear the mischief lurking beneath.

I noticed her amused gaze lingering on me also, and I glared around at the room at no one in particular.

I told myself it was only my imagination that his concerned gaze lingered on me. I didn’t want to feed the all-too-rapidly growing attraction I felt for him.

“You are the heirs of three different kingdoms. You cannot afford to be idiots right now.” “Or ever,” I muttered.

A small voice whispered in the back of my mind that I didn’t want to lose him either. I shooed it away.

“Some of us more than others,” said Gabe with a significant look at Jon. Jon glared at his friend, and I blushed.

As soon as we stepped through the doors, Jon appeared in front of us. Almost as if he’s been lurking next to the door all evening waiting for us.

I sighed and put my hand into his. A surge of energy shot through me at the contact,

I told myself I had meant what I said to Sophie and had no desire for a tête-à-tête with Jon. I wasn’t quite convinced, however.

I told myself the shaking was the aftereffects of nerves and had nothing to do with the fact that an attractive prince had just saved my life and was now holding my hand while gazing into my eyes with concern. Nothing whatsoever.

“Although, surely it can’t do any harm to spend just a moment dwelling on those muscles. He must be strong. Did you see him take down the bear? I was too busy cowering on the ground, unfortunately. If I’d thought a bit more quickly, I could have pretended I’d twisted my ankle, and then he would have had to carry me up the hill.” “Lily! You’re shocking. You would never!”

Don’t you want to be romanced? You said it yourself, in fact—you want to be swept off your feet.” “Mmmm, yes.” I flopped back to stare upwards again. “Only I meant that quite literally you know.” Sophie snorted.

I thought if I let you stress a little it might make you acknowledge your true feelings a little more openly, but you looked so pathetic I don’t have the heart to continue.

And, anyway, some sacrifices are worth it. Love is pain, and all that. I believe that’s beauty is pain, sister dearest. Oh! Is it?

It was a strange dynamic, this competition where everyone had to try their best, but everyone wanted to lose.

His next sentence was delivered so quietly I almost missed it. “But I’ve never felt so torn in my duties before.” Now I was the one flushing,

but the approval in his gaze lingered in my mind all the way through the groves and across the lake.

“I was all ready to challenge someone to a duel, until I heard it was just a bunch of books that had you so enthralled.”

“Perhaps I will have someone to challenge to a duel, after all, then.” He kept his words light and kissed my hand again.

“Do you have a lot of those in Trione?” She looked defensive. “I only need one.”

A physical pain burst through my chest. I loved him. This prince who put even the smallest of his people before himself. The realization made my head spin. I could not bear for Jon to die. It took every bit of my willpower to stop myself running into the building after him.

I desperately wanted to hear whatever he was going to say, this man who I loved. The word pulsed through my veins with each heartbeat. Love. Love. Love. Jon. Jon. Jon.

“What a modest pair we are! Think of all the accolades we’re missing out on.” “There’s only one accolade I want,” he said, his voice low and his eyes gazing at me with a shade of his wonder from the night before.

“It doesn’t matter what you do or say. I will always choose her. Every. Single. Time.”

“I don’t care about consequences. I don’t care about responsibility. I’m going half out of my mind.” His low voice throbbed with passion. “All I want is you.”

And when he groaned, pulled me even closer and crushed his lips against mine, those weak and traitorous feelings not only allowed it, they gloried in it. Because despite every barrier between us, despite everything, Jon had chosen me. And my heart wanted to burst from the joy.

I pulled away, but his eyes pleaded so desperately and eloquently that I stopped fighting myself and melted forward into his arms. He wrapped them tight around me and gave a deep sigh.

And for once I want to stop thinking about everyone else. I want to be selfish and think about just one person. You.” I laughed shakily. “You might need to take another look at the definition of selfish. I think you’re doing it wrong.”

“I’m always responsible. For nineteen years I’ve been nothing but responsible. And I love my people. I just love you more. I’ve already told you—in this one thing I can’t be responsible. I would do anything to save you.”

I wanted to tell him that if I had the choice, I would spend every moment with him. I wanted to wipe away all that agony of longing in his eyes.

I placed a hand on his arm. He looked down at it and then up at me. I could see it took all his willpower not to take me in his arms.

Jon and I had shared our first kiss, he stopped. “This,” he said, gesturing with his free hand, “this is my personal favourite spot.”