Isle of Beasts and Shadows (The Forgotten Isle Saga #1)

Chapter 31

Sirius and Airella stood behind the castle gates, hidden from view. Airella felt a swarm of butterflies flutter nervously in her stomach, their delicate wings creating a whirlwind of emotions within her.

“Wait a second,” Airella began, her voice tinged with uncertainty, “can’t we just travel through Limbo to reach the princess? I mean, we would essentially be invisible to everyone while we’re there, right?” She shot a puzzled look at Sirius, hoping for some reassurance.

“In our previous encounter with Limbo, we came face-to-face with Father,” Sirius responded, his tone thoughtful and measured. “Having spent considerable time with him, I’ve gained insights into his ways. I believe entering that realm signals to him somehow. Infiltrating the ball this way might be our best bet.” He leaned towards the safer side of their plan, aiming to mitigate any risks they might encounter. “Ready?”

“Yeah, of course,” Airella replied with a hint of hesitation, nodding her head slowly as she glanced down at the newly opened potion in her hand.

Bracing herself, she swallowed the bitter liquid as quickly as possible, trying to evade its sour taste. Standing with her eyes shut, she pondered whether the potion had taken effect. Opening her eyes, she searched for Sirius, only to realize that he had vanished without a trace. Curiosity piqued, she exhaled a sigh and mentally prepared herself to venture into the unknown alone.

Steeling her resolve, Airella made her way towards the palace entrance, her heart racing with anticipation. As she pushed past the towering doors and stepped into the resplendent ballroom, a spectacle of grandeur greeted her. Golden streamers adorned the walls, shimmering in the ambient light, while a multitude of guests mingled and conversed animatedly. Overwhelmed by the opulence surrounding her, she turned her gaze, pondering her next move amidst the bustling crowd.

As she continued walking through the crowded room, navigating through the clusters of chattering guests, she almost collided with a buffet table that seemed out of place in the elegant setting. The punch bowl on the table caught her eye, its crimson liquid shimmering in the soft light. As she leaned in for a closer look, her reflection surprised her—she saw a red-haired young woman with freckles, wearing a delicate sky blue dress that stood out against the opulent backdrop.

Lost in this moment of self-discovery, Airella felt a gentle tap on her shoulder, pulling her back to reality. She turned around swiftly to face a stranger, a dashing young man in formal attire. His deep gray eyes met hers, a hint of gold betraying them, framed by his stylishly swept brunette hair.

He extended a hand with a charming smile and a bow, asking in a courteous tone, “May I have this dance?”

Airella felt her cheeks flush with a mixture of surprise and delight at the unexpected invitation.

“Is that how it’s done?” the man continued, a hint of amusement in his voice as he mirrored the movements of the other guests around them.

“Sirius!” she whispered urgently, her tone tinged with reproach. “Why did you vanish like that?”

Just moments earlier, Sirius had briefly disappeared from Airella’s side, yielding to his insatiable appetite as he claimed the soul of a wayward guest. However, instead of consuming it, he wrestled with his inner hunger, knowing the consequences of succumbing to it.

I can be good, Sirius reassured himself silently, a mantra he repeated to maintain control.

In his encounters with Father, Sirius had gained the knowledge of inhabiting the bodies of the deceased, a skill that set him apart from his father’s malevolent abilities. While he couldn’t manipulate the living, he possessed the eerie capability to dominate the empty vessels of the dead, a power that both intrigued and haunted him.

Sirius carefully placed the stranger’s soul underneath his cloak, ensuring its safety. He cradled the empty husk in his arms, surrounded by the eerie silence of the abandoned hall. Gently, he covered the stranger’s eyes with his fingers, his own eyes glowing a mesmerizing yellow. A rush of air escaped his lips as Sirius transformed into a swirling black mist that merged effortlessly through the stranger’s parted mouth. As he opened his eyes, they were now housed in the unfamiliar body he had chosen.

Standing before Airella, Sirius felt the urge to explain his clandestine actions. “I seized a moment to gather intel on the ball from a couple of unsuspecting soldiers. Now, here’s the plan.” Sirius grasped Airella’s arm, leading her to a secluded spot for their conversation. “The king will seat the princess beside him on the throne. When she takes to the ballroom floor, a queue of eager suitors will form. I will position myself to dance with her, and that’s when I’ll explain the circumstances we’re stuck under. We can’t take long because as soon as this party is over, that ship is sailing.”

“What do we do? Wait?” Airella whispered into Sirius’s ear, her voice barely audible over the jubilant sounds of the dancing crowd. Sirius observed Duran, noticing how he nervously toyed with his fingers while engaging in small talk with the ladies. Their eyes met, and suddenly, time seemed to slow down, enveloping them in a cocoon of silence.

“Airella, stay composed and act natural,” Sirius reassured her, linking his arm with hers as Duran approached. A forced smile played on Duran’s lips, betraying his irritation at their presence.

“Hello. I don’t believe we’ve met,” Duran greeted them, extending his hand in a gesture of welcome. Sirius took it and gave him a firm handshake.

Duran’s expression turned slightly stern as he shifted his focus to Airella. “And you, Madam, what might your name be?” His gaze was intense, almost predatory. Sirius sensed Airella’s unease and swiftly responded to her.

“Her name is Isabella,” Sirius said softly, attempting to push aside the thought that he had given her a name that seemed all too ordinary and familiar. “She’s very reserved.”

“I apologize for the inconvenience, but I must know your name before I depart. We can’t simply allow uninvited guests to stroll into the palace as if it were a common occurrence.” The man seemed insistent on learning Sirius’s name, his tone betraying a sense of urgency. Sirius could sense the tension but remained composed for Airella’s sake.

“Hugh Regaldi,” Sirius replied, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

Duran shot him a menacing look before strolling away nonchalantly. Sirius couldn’t shake off the feeling of unease; Duran was not to be trusted. It wasn’t clear if he was currently being possessed by Father.

“Are you alright?” Sirius inquired, seeing Airella look up at him through dark lashes, her cheeks flushed a shade akin to that of a deep red wine.

“No, Sirius, I’m not alright,” she bared her teeth, her voice shaking with quiet anger. “My mother is dead and Arii is being held hostage. Because of him.”

“I know, I know. We ought to dance; otherwise, we might continue to draw unwanted attention from the guards,” Sirius suggested calmly, taking her hand as they observed the other guests twirling to the rhythm of the music.

Studying the dancers’ movements closely, he did his best to mimic their steps, ensuring they blended in seamlessly. As his gaze met Airella’s uniquely colored eyes, unaffected by the illusion created by the potion thanks to his acknowledgment that she had drank it, he beheld her as he always had, albeit now adorned in a stunning blue ball gown.

“Do you know how to dance?” She questioned, her voice barely audible through the music filling the ballroom. Her mind wandered as she pieced together the fact that he had been isolated on the island from the moment he took his first breath.

“How hard could it be?” Sirius swept Airella into his arms without a word, the soft music guiding their every step. His movements weren’t as precise as everyone else’s, but they were just as elegant.

As they glided across the floor, a magical aura enveloped them, weaving a tale of love in every movement. His touch was gentle yet firm, leading her with an enchanting grace that seemed to transcend time itself.

In that moment, they were not just two individuals dancing, but souls intertwined in a celestial waltz, their hearts beating as one. The world around them faded away, leaving only the dance floor as their enchanted realm. Each step they took echoed with the promise of a timeless love story, igniting a passion that would blaze through the ages. And as they danced, the universe itself seemed to hold its breath, captivated by the ethereal beauty of their shared moment.

A spark of sensation overcame Sirius. He was learning something that humans have done for generations. If this truly were a fairy tale, this dance would be the moment where the two lovers would prepare to achieve their happily ever after.

However, this wasn’t one of those moments.

“I knew it wouldn’t be that difficult,” Sirius remarked with a confident grin, feeling a warm sensation as he gently pulled her closer. A smile naturally formed on his lips, his eyes reflecting a sense of pride in her progress.

“Either that or you’re just a fast learner,” she playfully retorted, returning his smile with a hint of admiration in her eyes.

The small orchestra, with their instruments poised, gradually faded into silence as a diminutive man, adorned in ostentatious attire, confidently strode to the forefront before the resplendent throne, effortlessly capturing the attention of the assembled guests.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you His Majesty, King William, and Her Highness, Princess Thea!” the announcer’s voice resonated through the grand hall, drawing all eyes towards the imposing figures who entered through the magnificent doors. Princess Thea gracefully took her seat, a vision of elegance, while King William, exuding authority, remained standing, his presence commanding the room.

“Loyal citizens of Eldaraya,” the king announced proudly, his voice carrying across the crowd, “I am thrilled to share a momentous discovery with you all. We have stumbled upon a pristine island nestled off the coast of our beloved kingdom. This newfound land shall serve as an extension of our realm, a sanctuary for those seeking a new place to call home.”

As the monarch’s gaze swept over the assembled crowd, his expression darkened, and he locked eyes with Sirius, a sense of disappointment clear in his features. Sirius felt a lump form in his throat as tension gripped the air.

“Regrettably,” the king continued, his voice tinged with gravity, “I must address a pressing concern that has breached our kingdom’s defenses,” the king continued, his voice tinged with gravity. “Two fugitives are among us, threatening our peace and security. One of them is known as Sirius, his surname unknown to us, while the other goes by the name Airella Devereaux.”

A sharp intake of breath rippled through the crowd at the mention of Airella’s name, the daughter of the esteemed Lysander Devereaux. People labeled her a witch for her extraordinary physical prowess and multi-colored eyes that matched her father’s.

“Airella’s associate,” the king continued, his tone unwavering, “is a peculiar, slender figure with alabaster hair and piercing yellow eyes. Should you encounter either of these individuals, I urge you to report their whereabouts at once.”

Seating himself beside his daughter on the ornate throne, the king raised a goblet of wine to his lips, the flicker of determination in his eyes unmistakable. “These malefactors seek to disrupt our harmonious existence and impede our journey to the new land. But let us not dwell on their mischief tonight. I cordially invite all eligible gentlemen to partake in a dance with my daughter.” With a resounding clap of his hands, the king signaled the commencement of the evening’s festivities.

As soon as he said to line up, Sirius did so, leaving Airella behind. As the guests gathered, Sirius felt a surge of determination coursing through him. It propelled him to swiftly navigate through the crowd, ensuring no time was wasted. The music from the orchestra created an atmosphere of urgency and anticipation.

The dance began, following the tradition of circling the area seven times. As Sirius awaited his turn to take Princess Thea’s hand, the rhythm of the music perfectly synced with the beating of his heart, his nerves palpable. Observing the other men conversing with the princess as they danced, Sirius mentally prepared himself for the imminent interaction.

Moments later, Princess Thea’s gaze met his, a warm smile gracing her lips as she extended her hand towards him. Locking eyes with her, Sirius felt a mix of nerves and determination swirling within him. As they began their first circle around the dance floor, he reminded himself of the mission at hand, focusing on the task ahead while cherishing the fleeting moments of the dance.

“I need to speak with you,” Sirius spoke quietly as they continued to move to the beat of the music, the soft strains of a lute accompanying their steps. They had just finished their second circle, the ornate ballroom bathed in the warm glow of flickering candles casting dancing shadows around them.

“About what, Miscreant?” She questioned, her voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and suspicion.

Somehow, she could see right past Sirius’s facade, her keen intuition picking up on the seriousness of his demeanor. It shouldn’t have been a surprise to him, either, the weight of his words pressing on him as they now had four more circles to go.

“The island. I’ve tried explaining to your father, but I believe he’d be more reasonable when listening to you,” Sirius spoke quickly, his words urgent as he raised his hand, placing his palm against hers gently as they continued to rotate in their usual circle, the rhythm of the dance swirling around them. “The island he speaks of, it’s not safe.” They were now on their fifth circle, the music guiding their movements with a hypnotic allure.

Her stare tensed as they passed by the king, a silent acknowledgment passing between them. They danced more slowly, the urgency in Sirius’s voice prompting her to focus, for she wished to hear what he had to say. They had completed their fifth circle, with two more to go, and each step brought them closer to the key aspect.

“How so? What’s wrong?” Princess Thea’s face filled with concern, her brows furrowing in confusion as she tried to grasp the gravity of Sirius’s words. She was completely unaware of the situation that had been unfolding, her thoughts racing as they had one more rotation left, the weight of the impending revelation hanging in the air between them.

“Your Highness,” Sirius began, his voice laced with a mix of weariness and determination. “I’ve lived on that isolated island for what feels like an eternity. The humans who once called it home met a grim fate at the hands of the Miscreants that roam its cursed grounds. They were ruthless, claiming lives for sustenance. I am ashamed to admit, I took part in its ending. But now, I find myself in a role of protector, striving to shield the unsuspecting from meeting the same tragic end.” They completed their seventh and final circle.

A heavy silence draped over the ballroom as Sirius’s revelation sank in, the air thick with disbelief. All eyes fixated on him, their expressions a tapestry of shock and horror. The scythe he wielded caught the light, its blade gleaming ominously, contrasting against his now-pale complexion.

His gaze drifted downward, only to find the form of the boy he had inhabited sprawled at his feet. A bizarre twist of fate had seen the man’s soul escape the confines of his cloak and reclaim its vessel, leaving Sirius exposed in his true form.

Turning his attention to Airella, Sirius fought to maintain composure amidst the chaos unfolding around them. With a sense of urgency, he began planning an impromptu escape strategy.

Gripping the scythe tightly, he swung his scythe through the air, a silent signal of their impending flight. But before any plan could take shape, a sudden blur of motion disrupted the scene as Duran lunged towards him, propelling both of them into the yawning maw of the portal to Limbo.