I had wandered into the garden at night and he had followed, as he often did—my shadow, my protector. I was used to utter darkness, to a night where the only light came from the stars above, but here, there was so much light—so much fire.

Adrian looked up, exposing the long column of his neck, and I wanted to know what it would be like to kiss him there and what he would do in response. Would his breath catch? Would he grip me tight? Would he draw my head back to do the same to me?

Before my thoughts could spiral, his gaze returned to me.

“You aren’t high enough,” he said and then extended his hand. “Come, I’ll show you.”

I stared at his hand, hesitant. It was a strange thought, but I had never touched him before. I had been too afraid, knowing deep down, I would be lost to him forever after. But how terrible would that truly be? Even if I was to die, at least he would have a piece of me.

I took his hand, and it was warm and rough. I liked the smile he offered before he led me into the shadows of the castle where the servants’ entrance was barely visible.

Inside, we were blanketed in darkness.

“Just a moment,” Adrian said, and his hand slipped from mine as he stepped away, and for the first time since I met him, I realized how soundlessly he moved.

Without him near, I felt colder, and I wrapped my arms around me tighter.

“Adrian?” I whispered his name because I could not feel him.

I gasped when a hand touched my waist.

“Do you fear the dark?” he asked.

I turned my head, and the stubble on his jaw scratched my cheek.

“No,” I said because it was true. “But I prefer the light. Nothing can hide in the light.”

“So you fear what lingers in the dark?”

“I suppose,” I said.

“Do you fear me?”

“No,” I said, too quickly. “Should I?”

“Yes,” he said. “But not for the reasons you think.”

“And what do I think?”

A light flared and I turned fully to face him. We were inches apart, and he brushed his fingers along my cheek, leaving a trail of heat that raced down my throat and into my stomach. I took a deep, shuddering breath.

He smiled wryly.

“You fear how I make you feel.”

He stepped closer, until there was no space between us and I had to tilt my head back to keep his gaze.

I did not respond to his statement but instead asked, “What do you prefer? The dark or the light?”

“Neither,” he said. “Evil basks in it all.”

His words sent a trickle of unease through me and I shivered.