Page 22 of In The Shadows

Anger and frustration flare within me as I think about how poorly they treat viators. Over the years, many people have become so desperate for a better life, they have even risked death in the haunted forest to find refuge in Umbra. These viators have made lives in my kingdom. My people are the misfits of Omnia who have come together to grow Umbra in secret. Beneath Thalos’ shadow veil, we have made a place we all are proud to call our home.

Before Theo can object to my decision, I kiss him.

“Wait here. I’ll come find you once I have the room purchased,” I say, grabbing my bag from his hand and heading toward the inn.

The Aurora Inn sits across the street and a few shops down from The Blue Stag. It’s tucked near the bakery, which allows convenient access for anyone who stays there. The inn is nothing unique; it’s like all basic inns in any other kingdom. The only difference is the gray stone and wood trimmed outside, the standard façade in Lux.

After getting the key to our room from the elderly innkeeper, I head back to the walk and wave at Theo to come along. He does so silently and unseen in the vacant street.

He takes my hand, and we walk together to our private room, retreating inside. The room is like the rest of the inn: basic. A bed barely big enough for the both of us, given Theo’s size, a few candles light the space, and a small table with a pitcher and mugs set atop are all there is to it. It’s not luxurious by any means, but it’s a place where we can spend the night together that isn’t Brightwick. My heart wars with my head about this decision.

I set my bag next to the table as Theo takes a seat on the bed, testing its comfort.

“I’m going to get us some water. I’m parched,” I say, picking up the pitcher and heading out the door.

I return a minute later with a filled pitcher, and Theo steps out of the small bathing chamber as I enter the quarters. He comes over to me as I pour us some water. I offer him the mug and he accepts it, kissing me on the cheek. I smile at the sweet gesture.

I down my entire mug in one breath. I pull it from my mouth and wipe the droplets of water with the back of my forearm. Theo stares at me, seemingly shocked by what I’ve done.

“I said I was thirsty,” I say with no expression.

“Obviously,” he replies, smiling and drinking his water.

Finishing his mug, he takes the one from my hand and places both on the table. He wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me flush to his chest. He looks down at me, studying my features.

“Have I told you how absolutely stunning you are?” Theo asks, those honey eyes boring into my heart.

I smile brightly up at him. No one makes me feel like butterflies are erupting in my stomach like he does. Even after all this time. His words of praise and affection warm me to the depths of the soul I thought was long buried. His presence awakens a part of me I believed the darkness destroyed.

He leans down and kisses me with a passion that steals my breath. His lips part and I open mine to allow our tongues to taste each other. I slide my hands around his waist, drawing him close and eliminating any space between us.

Theo’s hand grips the back of my neck and tilts my head back, and I smile as his lips trace kisses down my throat and along my jawline.

I soak in the feel of him, dreaming of a different realm where this could be our life. Our nights would be spent worshiping each other’s bodies, memorizing every inch.

Hope blooms in my chest with a thought, all-consuming and risky. In the two years and nearly a dozen visits I’ve made to Lux to watch Theo, he has never seen me or spoken with me. Why is this time different? He was brought to me and given a chance to save me. Why?

Could this finally be the opportunity I’ve been waiting for? Could this be a sign from the fates that our time has come?

My heart races as I struggle with what to do next. If I tell him, he’d have to come back to Umbra with me so we could find an antidote for the elixir Oren and Leopold gave him all those years ago. After the veil is lifted from his mind, I’ll figure out a way to explain Asher to him. I know our love is strong enough for him to understand our complicated marriage.

I tilt my chin down, stopping Theo’s kisses along my neck. Leaning back, I stare at him again, trying to talk myself out of telling him the truth. He looks at me and the smile on his face laces with uncertainty.

“What is it?” he asks, scanning my face.

My heart flutters as I take him in. In all my dreams, I never imagined I would be here with Theo and believing we still have time left together in this lifetime. I draw in a breath, trying to calm myself before I take the biggest gamble of my life.

“Theo,” I start cautiously, “It’s me. It’s Lily,” I say hesitantly, not wanting to scare him.

His eyebrows pinch together.

“How do you know that name?” he asks, taking a step back.

I drop my arms from his waist, letting him have space.

“I know it doesn’t make any sense, but I can explain. The day in the meadow, Oren stabbed me with a trove blade. It only made it appear as though I was dead,” I say, as Theo’s face twists in confusion.

He backs away from me until his legs bump into the end of the bed.

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