In the Shadows

Chapter 5: Skye's Burden

The city of Velaris was a haven of peace, a gem nestled in the heart of the Night Court, but Skye could barely appreciate its beauty as she stood on one of the balconies of Rhysand's manor. The city twinkled in the twilight, the Sidra River glittering beneath the soft glow of faelights, and yet none of it could chase away the weight that pressed on her chest.

Her mind was a tempest, torn between the expectations placed upon her and the growing fear that, no matter how much power she held, she would never be in control of it—or her fate.

The sound of approaching footsteps pulled her from her thoughts. Skye turned to see Rhysand stepping out onto the balcony, his dark hair catching the fading light, his violet eyes filled with an easy warmth that made him look both dangerous and comforting. The High Lord of the Night Court had a way of making people feel at ease, even when he was weighing their every word.

"You look like you could use some company," Rhysand said, his voice soft but carrying a weight of understanding.

Skye offered him a tight smile. "Company or a distraction?"

"Whichever you prefer," he replied with a lightness that didn't quite reach his eyes.

For a moment, Skye remained silent, debating whether she should confide in him. She had come to Velaris not just for her safety, but also to gain perspective. To find some answers. She knew Rhysand had seen much in his time, and more than that, he was a ruler who understood power—the burden and the responsibility that came with it.

"I'm not sure distraction is what I need," Skye admitted, turning her gaze back toward the city. "But I'm not entirely sure how to ask for help either."

Rhysand came to stand beside her, resting his hands on the stone railing. He didn't press her, didn't ask for explanations. He simply waited, his presence calm and steady, allowing her to gather her thoughts.

"I didn't want to come here at first," she began, her voice low. "It felt like running away, like I was abandoning my court when they need me most."

"And now?" Rhysand asked, watching her with quiet intensity.

"Now I wonder if I'll ever be ready to return."

The admission tasted bitter on her tongue, but it was the truth. Skye had been raised to believe in her duty, in her strength as a potential High Lady. But every day, that belief had been chipped away by the growing tension back home, by the pressure from her family—and most of all, by the looming presence of her brother.

She sighed, resting her hands on the cool stone of the railing. "My brother, Caden, he... he always assumed he'd be the next High Lord. He was groomed for it. The court expected it. Hell, I expected it."

Rhysand remained silent, his expression patient, encouraging her to continue.

"But the power chose me instead." Skye's voice wavered, her fingers tightening against the stone. "I didn't want it. I

"I didn't want it," Skye repeated, her voice barely above a whisper, the weight of the confession settling in her chest. "All I ever wanted was to support Caden. To stay in the background, to help him where I could. I never wanted to be the center of this... this storm."

Rhysand nodded, his violet eyes soft with understanding. "Power is rarely something you ask for. It's something that is thrust upon you. And when it is, you have two choices: rise to meet it or let it consume you."

His words struck a chord within her, and Skye felt the familiar coil of fear tightening in her chest. "That's the problem. I don't know if I can control it. The power is wild, unpredictable, and sometimes—" She hesitated, her gaze dropping to the ground as if the admission would make her vulnerable. "Sometimes I'm afraid it will consume me."