Forbidden Darkness (Whispers Prequel #1)

Chapter Eight

Nervously, Tanoan peaked at Thyatira out of the corner of his eye. So many times he’d seen her and watched her in the castle without her ever taking any notice of his presence and now finally she was sitting right beside him. Not only that, but she actually listened to him and believed his recount. Never in his life had anyone actually given him a second thought.

Tanoan was acutely aware of her soft hand inside of his large, shadowy one. He’s been expecting her to pull away from him in fear, but instead she’d proved him wrong and still clasped his. The change that Tanoan saw in her since the incident this morning was drastic. No longer was she scared and frightened of him, she was reasonable and saw that there was more to him than just the darkness that surrounded him.

‘This must be what it feels like to be accepted.’ Tanoan thought to himself as he felt warmth spread through his chest. Any minute now he expected her to run away from him with terror in her eyes, but she didn’t. Instead Thya just watched the water fall around the fountain. ‘I wander what she is thinking about.’ Tanoan thoughtfully considered, but Thya’s expression gave nothing away.

“I’m going to try my best to help you.” Thya exclaimed suddenly without turning her head from the fountain.

“How’re you going to do that?” Tanoan asked her curiously.

As much as Tanoan wanted the Whispers to be free of slavery and become equals with the other races, he couldn’t see how just one Kitsune, even though she is the princess, could help him. It was her father calling the shots and in the future Nadir will be. Tanoan already knew that there was no way that Nadir would ever allow the Whispers to be welcomed into the kingdom.

“Once I’m queen I’ll give the Whispers the freedom that they should already have. I’ll prove to everyone that your species is really a creation of good, not evil.” Thyatira explained to him in distant voice, but Tanoan just shook his head sadly.

“Nadir will never allow that.” He told her which caused a slight frown to mar her beautiful face.

“Of course he will. Nadir’s reasonable. I’ll just tell him everything that you told me.” But Tanoan was already shaking his head at her again, this time a frown matching hers adorned his face.

“There’s a side of Nadir that you haven’t seen.” Tanoan tried to explain to her. “He hates my kind; I can see it in his eyes. He doesn’t hold the same fear and suspicion that the rest of the people have, he detests my very existence.” Disbelief coloured Thya’s expression and Tanoan realised he wasn’t going to get anywhere with her by saying bad things about her fiancé.

“You will see.” He warned her. Silence then filled the small space between. It wasn’t awkward, but it wasn’t comfortable silence either. ‘I hope I didn’t push her too far.’ Tanoan fretted, glancing at Thya but once again her face remained expressionless.

“I hope I never see.” Thya whispered, almost as if she hated even considering that there was a bad side to Nadir.

“I do too.” He told her, sincerely.

The thought of Nadir letting her down made a burning feeling swirl in his chest. The Kitsune didn’t deserve to have Thya; it was obvious to Tanoan that Nadir was only after the power that being king would bring him. Oh, he knew that Nadir did care about her, but it wasn’t love. It was a childhood affection and expectations combined with greed. If only Thya realised that.

‘What if she did realise it? It’s not like I could ever do anything about it. She’d never choose to take a Whisper as a mate. Some other Kitsune would marry her.’ Sighing, Tanoan tried to calm the tumult of feelings that churned inside of him. The most he’d ever be able to do for her would be to heal any minor cuts or grazes that befell her. There was nothing else he’d be able to offer her.

“What’s wrong?” Thya asked him, concern swirling in her beautiful, moss green eyes.

“It’s nothing.” Tanoan mumbled, hoping she’d drop it.

“There’s something. I can see it in your eyes.” She pushed, begging him to tell her.

“I’d never hurt you, Thya.” Tanoan sighed, giving in. “I know I look scary. I wish that I could make the shadows disappear, so then people would see me and cringe in horror. But I vow, I’ll never let anything or anyone hurt you. Least of all me.” He told her sincerely, looking into her eyes.

Surprise crossed Thyatira’s expression, Tanoan realised that he’d caught her off guard with his declaration. Tendrils of fear began sliding their way inside of him again. ‘I hope I didn’t cross a line.’ He thought fearfully, reminding himself that she’d already absorbed so much today already and that he shouldn’t push her any further today.

“Just forget it.” He murmured, turning away from her piecing gaze.

“No! It was just unexpected!” Thyatira blurted out. “I know you won’t hurt me and I’m grateful that you’d protect me, but I can look after myself. I don’t need yours or anyone else’s protection.” Thya said resolutely.

“It’s just a precaution. I don’t trust this kingdom. I’ve seen more than enough bad treatment hashed out onto my kind over the years. If you were caught out here with me…” Tanoan let his voice drop off as he considered the possibilities.

“I’ll be fine.” Thya quickly said, as if she was also considering the possibilities. “When will I be able to see you next?” She asked him, almost hesitantly.

‘She wants to see me again?’ Tanoan thought, disbelieving. ‘Why would the princess want to see a Whisper again?’ At that moment Tanoan didn’t even care about the answers to the question bobbing around his head. Elation spread through him at the thought of spending time with the only person that had ever taken the time to get to know him.

“Tomorrow night?” The Whisper asked her, hopefully.

“My betrothal celebration dinner is on tomorrow tonight.” Thya shook her head. Tanoan’s face fell and by the look in Thya’s eye, he could vow that she also appeared disappointed.

“Maybe the night after then?” Tanoan tried again. This time Thya nodded at him, but he could see sadness behind her hypnotic eyes.

“I’ll try.” She promised him, glancing back at the fountain.

The Kitsune princess and the Whisper sat on the edge of the fountain’s basin together, watching the water rise and fall. The night was peaceful and only the sounds of the water and the faint croak of a frog in the distance disrupted the silence. The moon continued its ascent into the dark night sky with the twinkling stars watching over them.