She didn't answer for a moment, leaving Taris to stand outside the door. She stood before the window again, looking out over the city with open longing on her face. More than ever she was wondering what her life would be like if she'd denied Kentaro and hadn't fallen in love with him. [I] Something dark lurks within the city[/I], Envy had said. Taris is dark. 

[I]Taris[/I]. Taris [I] is[/I] dark. She'd seen him before, so many years ago, when she would wake up covered in dirt and, dress in rags, and play all day with weapons and children, and go to sleep exhausted, with a smile on her face. A shadow had come, then, too. It hadn't caught her attention, but Envy did. Aera remembered how stressed and cautious he was. Her memories recalled shadow elves with long ears, then, too. A few of them had spoken to Envy a few times. But not Taris. Taris hadn't been in the Den. She'd passed him in the streets.  [I]Those eyes[/I]. 

What had happened the last time the Shadow Elves lurked within the city? Unfortunately, she couldn't recall. Something in her stomach didn't feel right. "Go downstairs, Taris." She said over her shoulder. Her voice sounded odd. "I'll head down myself in a few minutes." She waited for a few seconds, listening for Taris' footsteps to die away, listening hard for his soft elven feet. Slowly, she untied her gloves and got out her dining ones. They were thinner and only went up to her elbow, and were more appropriate for formal dinners.

Finally, with a sigh, she turned and went down herself, with a quick glance at the mirror to check her appearance. Wouldn't do to show her thoughts. 
Walking along the hallway, she stopped, lifting her gaze from the floor, hearing him approach.
"You messed up, today." He said in a dark voice.
Aera turned around. "Leave me be, Kasca."
The corners of his mouth went up in a sneer. "You're not going to ask how you messed up?" He took slow steps toward her. "Not even the least bit curious?"

The elf held her ground, lifting her chin in defiance, but was otherwise still and silent. 

Kasca blew a small laugh, stopping inches from her. "You're beginning to prove to my friend what a bad wife you are. He's tried so hard to keep you from the filth in the streets, and now you've brought the filth into the castle." His hand rose and ran along her hair like he was petting an animal. Aera took in a breath, frowning. "If I'm not mistaken, I just saw your dark friend leave your room. Alone. Doesn't take a genius to figure out what's going on between you two." He had a sick grin on his face as he ran his hand down her cheek.

She brushed his hand away and stepped back. "There is  [I]nothing[/I]  between me and Taris." She glared at him.

With impressive speed, he lurched forward, slamming her against the wall with one hand at her throat. She gasped and tried to push him, but he leaned against her with his whole body, pinning her, grabbing her right wrist and holding it above her head. "Truth or not, Kentaro will believe me when I tell him I saw that thing leave your chambers. He already knows you've been alone with him today. It wont take much to convince him" He grinned again and Aera lifted her foot from her slipper. "Not much longer, and he'll lose all interest in you and who does you. Then, I'll find you." 

He bent his head and kissed her cheek. Having seen Kasca enough times, she knew he kept a blade on his leg. She felt it with her toes and grabbed it, raising it to her free hand. With the blade in hand she slammed her leg up again, nailing him in his groin. Kasca gasped and bent, releasing her, tearing her glove off her hand. Aera swung at him, bringing the pommel of the blade down on his left shoulder. He toppled and landed on his stomach, hands beneath him. Aera threw herself down, digging her knees into his spine as she pulled his head back by his black hair, bringing the knife against his throat. "Don't you ever touch me again." She hissed. "Or you will die faster than you can blink."

Keeping the knife, she stood and picked up her dropped glove before continuing down the hall.
Behind her, Kasca stood, uneven in his pain, with a glare of death, his left arm awkward and possibly dislocated.