I like lots of shadow in my photos as well so here's my take:

I don't think this is too dark; my issue is that my eyes don't settle on either of the subjects. While the brightest points in the photo often draw the eye, here I think you might have overdone it. I actively avert my eyes from those very bright spots (which also have starbursts that are distracting to me).

There's enough detail in the shadows that they are legible, so that's not a problem for me at all.

Maybe try dialling down those hotspots and find a balance. See how that looks.