After breakfast, Kaius took me to a big sparring room to train my magic.
"I wouldn't give into Killian's charms. He's a lady killer. He always has a new lover," Kaius said as he dimmed the lights to create more shadows.
I smirked. "And I should give into yours?"
Kaius stepped up to me, a shadow snaking its way out of his fingertips to touch my cheek.
"Absolutely."
With a wicked grin, he stepped back. "Listen to the shadows. Focus on what they're saying," he instructed.
I closed my eyes, hearing that soft melody of their voices. So alluring, so soothing. It all mashed together, making it difficult to make out their words.
"Lord."
"I made out a word!" I exclaimed and listened harder.
"You can't- love- shadows."
I can't make out the words in between," I furrowed my eyebrows.
"You can't help but love the Lord of Shadows."
My eyes snapped open and I scowled at Kaius who grinned at me with his hands in his pockets.
"You're so childish."
"Nesrin, did I mention you look ravishing today?" He looked as though he was trying not to laugh.
"Mocking me is also childish. I get it, I look tired." I rolled my eyes.
I hadn't slept for the a few days now, so I was exhausted. My hair stuck out everywhere, just closing my eyes for too long, I felt like I would pass out. Kaius frowned.
"Come here," he curled his finger in an inward motion.
I did as he said and he pointed to the floor. "Next, you need to lay down and close your eyes for ten seconds."
"What?"
"Now," he commanded, letting me feel the power of his voice, and I was suddenly aware of his high position.
I sat on the floor and lied back, shutting my eyes and listened to his deep, velvety voice as he began counting.
"One, two, three, four-"
I opened my eyes and looked around me. I was in a huge bed, the floor and ceiling were that same black adamant, the walls were gone just like in the dining room except for the one on the far side of the room with the door. Those amethyst pillars held up the roof, the purple, gossamer curtains were closed so my room wasn't completely exposed. The room was enormous. Across it, was a big pool, not very deep, but a bath, glowing with those amethyst lights and a steaming waterfall cascading down the only wall in the room, emptying from the ceiling. It was no doubt the work of magic.
I sat up and looked around in wonder. I had fallen asleep.
I put that aside and glanced over at the bath. That was the first thing I wanted.
I got up and padded over to the wardrobe, throwing it open. Inside, Sarnai seemed to put everything in there for me. Dresses, shirts, pants, two-pieces.
I picked a simple, champagne- colored gown with a low neckline and an open back.
After peeling off my dirty clothes, I stepped into the steaming pool with a sigh. Now would be the perfect time to practice with the shadows.
I closed my eyes and let their soft voices sooth me.
"Where is Kaius?" I asked them. I concentrated and heard the answer after a couple of tries. In the training ring with Killian.
"Tell him I said I know what he did."
He made me go to sleep. And then brought me here.
After a few moments, they began whispering again.
"You learn fast. You also needed sleep. And I was told you're enjoying a bath? And didn't invite me?"
I felt the shadows caress my body and I shrieked. Then I could feel them laughing.
"Tell him that he's terrible and ask him if he can see me."
"No, I would never invade your privacy like that."
I blew out a breath of relief. If he did, I would have killed him.
"Ask him if I need to finish my training for the day."
The response time was longer this time. "We will continue tomorrow."
And then I got another response. "I can hear all of this I hope you know. Not cool. The shadows talk to me too."
Sarnai.
"I apologize. I will tell the shadows to only whisper to Nesrin and I next time."
I laughed and finished my bath.
Later, I entered the dining room and everyone was already there. Kaius was sitting away from everyone, drawing again.
Killian whistled at me, which got Kaius' attention.
"Kai, you may have been right. Nesrin might be the best-looking one here," Killian winked.
Kaius' eyes traveled over my body before meeting my own eyes.
"That color really makes the gold of your eyes stand out. A real work of art."
I felt my cheeks heat up and I quickly sat beside Sorin, hiding behind him.
"Kaius told us at lunch that you were sleeping. Do you feel better?" Darcio questioned, examining me.
"Yes, I feel quite alright," I cleared my throat and started to fill my plate.
"Do you like the clothes I picked out for you?" Sarnai asked, sounding hopeful.
I smiled at my little sister. "Yes, they are in good taste."
"You should come shopping with me Esmeray offered. I looked at her dress, a dangerously low neckline, a slit on either side of the skirt, showing off her thighs, her sides bare.
I just smiled and nodded.
"What are you drawing, Kai?" Sarnai looked over at him.
Half of his hair was in a bun to keep his hair out of his eyes, his tanned hands smudged in pencil and charcoal. An artist.
"Nothing important," Kaius replied without looking away from his paper.
Sarnai fell into conversation with Esmeray and Killian, Sorin and Darcio talked amongst themselves.
I watched Kaius. The concentration tugging at his features, how he muttered to himself, the way the purple light made his silver eyes glow, how his hands gently moved across the paper.
His lips slowly curved upward into a smile and he whispered something to himself. Then the shadows whispered it to me.
"Like what you see?"
I scowled and began eating my food.
"When do you plan to go to the Light Court, Kaius?" Esmeray questioned.
Kaius still didn't look up as he said, "I sent word to Titus, I am waiting for a response. He has the court heavily shielded right now so we can't get in without permission."
I looked at Killian who was flirting with with Esmeray.
"I'm going to take you up on your offer. I'll learn how to fight. I can't always rely on my magic."
Everyone stopped talking. Even Kaius looked up. Killian just shrugged.
"Sure, just stay in the sparring room when you're done with Kai tomorrow. We will start you on the basics."
"Do I get to use a sword?"
Killian laughed and everyone went back to their conversations. "Not yet, but in time you will."
When I looked over at Kaius, he was already looking back down at his drawing.
After dinner, I went to the library to grab a few books before heading to my room.
I changed into a thin, black, silk nightgown and lied back in my bed with one of the books. But soon enough, I was asleep.
In my dream, I was running through the halls of my old house on that horrible night. Zetta looked up at me, her neck bent wrong, her dark brown hair splayed out around her, her gold eyes unseeing.
"Where were you Nesrin? Why didn't you help us?"
I backed away, shaking my head. "I'm sorry."
Then, a hand clamped onto my arm, spinning me around. His brown eyes were filled with icy rage, his brown hair matted with dry blood.
"Adrastos."
"You did this! It was your fault!" He screamed. "No, I didn't mean to," I cried.
Everything turned black and my family surrounded me. Sahar's auburn hair was one big knot, her face a gnarled mess, she was missing an arm, her brown eyes gone.
Rhosyn, who had looked just like me, was stitched together, her golden eyes filmed over. Adonis was in the same shape as Rhosyn. He was scalped, his eyes half-eaten by birds.
I felt like I was going to be sick. Zetta looked the same as before, standing with her neck at an odd angle. Adrastos stood with his guts spilling out. My mother, who had once been very beautiful, was now gruesome and mangled. My father was just the same.
"Where were you?" They all spoke at once. I screamed, putting my hands over my ears, trying to block it all out.
Then, I felt a gentle caress. Of shadows trying to sooth me, to relax me.
"It's okay," they said. "Breath. You're okay."
I opened my eyes to find myself tangled in my sheets, covered in sweat.
"How did you know?" I directed the question at the tendrils of darkness swirling around my room. Tendrils that were beginning to be a familiar presence.
They continued their gentle touches, rubbing circles on my back. I knew who was really controlling them.
"The shadows told me," they whispered back. Not only did I feel their presence, I could feel him too. Like a ghost of him.
"Thank you, Kaius," I murmered and lied back. The shadows stroked my hair until I fell back asleep.