The Veil of Darkness
Chapter 291: A Dance Of Enchantment

Chapter 291: A Dance Of Enchantment

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a soft, golden glow upon the side garden of the magnificent Cursed castle. The air was so chilly that the sun rays barely helped at all. There were no squirrels or birds making noises nearby, only silence and the rustling of leaves as a light breeze blew across the garden.

Annalise and Kenric stood side by side, anticipation, and excitement evident in their eyes. This evening marked a special moment in their journey, as they were about to delve into the art of using magical weapons together.

"The weather looks least perfect for outside training." Annalise couldn’t hold herself back as she mattered out the words while pushing her hands deeper into the pockets of her cloak.

"I thought you were actually excited about our training session?" Kenric called her out as he stared right into her eyes. His dark summer eyes made her wish for a warm summer day.

"People can change their mind with time, you know?" She provided in response while trying to not turn out as the guilty party. Who would have known that the weather would suddenly take a sharp turn in just a couple of days? Just the day before there could still be felt some warmth in the air but that all was gone all of a sudden.

"But you aren’t just anyone. You are my Little Bird, there’s no way you will give up on such an incredible chance to learn the great art of weaponry." Kenric wasn’t giving up and it made Annalise just accept her after that she had brought upon herself. After all, she wa the one who had been pestering him, ever since the day of her test against Damien, to teach her how to handle magical weapons.

With a warm smile, Kenric handed her a slender silver dagger, intricately carved with ancient symbols. It was a gift from his ancestors, passed down through generations, and tonight, he would guide Annalise in unlocking its powers.

"Are you ready, my love?" Kenric’s voice was a gentle murmur, yet it held a hint of playfulness that made Annalise’s heart flutter.

She nodded, her heart pounding with excitement and nerves. Kenric’s hands gently enveloped hers, guiding her fingers to grasp the dagger confidently. "Now, feel the magic coursing through you. Remember, it’s not about attacking but learning the true potential of this dagger when combined with your powers," he whispered, his breath brushing against her ear.

"Okay," Annalise whispered back as she tightened her fingers around the wooden holder of the dagger. She slightly loosened her hold over her powers, allowing them to find or create a connection with the dagger that seemed much more than just a simple weapon that Kenric had chosen to use for the practice.

As they began their training, she felt an unexpected surge of energy. The dagger did seem to resonate with her, as if it recognized her innate potential.

"See there. It’s recognizing your potential. Now, you have to recognize its power too so that you both can form a team." Kenric continued to guide her. "Our weapons are just like our familiars, they need our trust and warmth to become a part of us. Treat them with the care and respect they deserve."

Annalise nodded her head in understanding and made sure to follow his guidance to the best of her capability.

Kenric’s guidance was patient and encouraging, as he taught her the basic gestures and incantations needed to channel the magic.

She stumbled a few times, but he was there to catch her, his touch both supportive and electrifying. They laughed and teased each other, turning the training into a dance of enchantment. With each step they took, the connection between them deepened, and their bond seemed to strengthen.

Under the moonlit sky, they practiced until the stars twinkled brightly overhead. Annalise’s magical prowess grew, and with it, so did her admiration for her husband. Kenric’s dedication to her training was evident, but amidst the seriousness, he never missed an opportunity to indulge in playful banter and affectionate teasing.

As the night progressed, they took short breaks, sitting close together, exchanging tender glances, and sharing stories about one thing or another. The intimacy of the moment was palpable, and Annalise couldn’t help but admire how Kenric was both lethal and sweet, a perfect balance of strength and gentleness.

In one instance, as Annalise tried to perfect a particularly tricky spell, she ended up causing a small explosion of colorful sparks which made the Autumn Prince burst out into a fit of laughter.

"What? Stop laughing." Annalise tried to sound annoyed but she completely failed to hide the smile that bloomed on her lips.

Kenric moved as he pulled her into a warm embrace. "You’ll get the hang of it, my love," he assured her, pressing a soft kiss on her forehead.

As the night drew to a close, they lay on a blanket beneath the starry canvas, holding hands and basking in the newfound connection they had forged through their training.

Annalise felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude and love for Kenric, realizing how lucky she was to have a partner who not only supported her growth but also made every experience with him an unforgettable adventure.

"The others have been watching us for a while. I think they are cursing me for keeping you by my side for the entire evening." Kenric said as his gaze shifted toward one of the windows on the second floor of the castle.

Annalise didn’t need to follow his gaze to know that it was none other than Valerius who had been watching them for a while by now. "He’s only keeping eyes on my performance." And she knew that it was the truth. When it came to her husbands, there had been barely any jealousy or anger issues between them related to her. They had always been supportive of her private time with each of them as well as her time with all of them.

Kenric let out a small sigh, dejected that he couldn’t fool her. "Let’s end the session for today then. It’s almost time for dinner and I’m starving."

The two of them hurried inside and Annalise headed straight to her room to change first before the dinner. Besides, she needed to look presentable for the guests that were arriving soon.