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“Thank you.” I smiled and headed outside. It was dark now and hardly anyone was on the streets. I looked at the castle in the distance and wanted to be anywhere but there, so I wandered through the desolate town with my book in my hand. My mind flashed to Kaz and Kai from my dream. Part of me hoped it had been a dream, something made up, but I knew that wasn’t true. My best friends had lied to me. They had acted as if they had no idea who I was.
Betrayal tugged in my chest as tears welled but I refused to let them out. I would search this book until I found that crest in it. I needed to know who I was before all of this. Needed to find my place. Maybe this crest would lead me there because, clearly, I couldn’t trust anyone I knew, and today’s fight had proven that everyone is terrified of me. That’s what I wanted, but I also felt like a monster.
Cassius was scared of me, too. The thought was unsettling, but I was better off by myself. Maybe I always would be. After hours of wandering aimlessly through town, I headed back to the castle, expecting it to be quiet because it was so late. But when I walked towards my room, I could hear the contestants laughing. Cautiously, I walked past my room and down the hall where I saw lights. When I glanced around the corner, the men were in some sort of mess hall drinking. Their cups filled with amber liquor as they boisterously laughed. The room was small compared to the dining hall and reeked of liquor. Most men stood in groups chatting instead of in the wooden chairs.
They all quieted down when they saw me. Royer sat all bruised at one of the only tables available. The guards were in the room, including Cassius, who already had his shadows ready. I grabbed my amulet and extended my hand at the guy I beat up. Orange and red swirled out from my open palm and towards him. His wounds disappeared instantly. Confusion marred everyone’s face. Good, I hoped that threw all of them off. They all acted as if they knew me. That should get them talking about me for a different reason.
Without a word, I turned and headed for my room. Cassius’s loud footsteps let me know he was following me, but instead of acknowledging him, I put up a wall of fire mist around me.
“Thea,” Cassius spoke sternly but I didn’t respond. I walked into my room and locked the door. It only took a moment before his shadows moved under the crack of the door to unlock it, but I used my fire mist to create a barrier that he wouldn't be able to get through.
“Thea, let me in,” he demanded. “Please.”
Ignoring him was difficult, but he was not getting near me again. I couldn’t allow him to use my feelings for him against me. There was no way I would fall for his shit again.
“I know you can hear me.” He tried one last time. When I didn’t respond or allow his shadows to unlock the door, I heard him walk away. Sitting in the middle of my small bed, I started looking through the book of family crests, hoping it would lead me somewhere better than this place full of liars.
Chapter 15
My bed was too comfortable to get up and move so I stared at the ceiling. Nothing motivated me to get up and get dressed, but I eventually did. Slowly I made my way toward the dining hall but ended up walking past it. I followed the hallway until a set of metal doors caught my attention. When I shoved against the cold metal, it opened to reveal a stunning room of flowers with a glass roof. Once inside I let out a relaxed breath. The sun beamed through the glass above me. It was the most sun we had seen since my arrival, and I wanted to soak it up as much as I could.
I laid my cloak in the middle of the conservatory so I could sit on it and relax in the middle of all the plants. My nose filled with floral scents as I settled in a spot. I closed my eyes, allowing calmness to wash over me. This was by far the best room I had seen yet. My eyes fluttered open as my body warmed in the sunlight. Faintly, I could hear birds singing outside.
“We need to talk.” Cassius’s voice instantly ruined my peaceful escape.
“No, we don’t.” Turning completely away from him I continued admiring the hundreds of flowers in various shades of color. He gave me an irritated huff at my reaction. “In fact, I’m staying away from you like you requested from the king. So, leave me alone.”
“We should talk about this before the trial.”
“Why? Because I could die? At least then you wouldn’t have the burden of being around me.”
His shadows exploded around us, swirling so we could see nothing outside of them.
“You’re a child,” I huffed.
“You actually think I would want you dead? So, I don’t have to see you?” he bellowed.
“That’s exactly what I think.” Glaring at him, I stood up. “You made sure everyone in this fucking castle knew that’s how you thought of me. You humiliated me again. You were cruel to me.” My voice faded out, betraying the ache in my heart.
His eyes bore into mine for a long moment. He reached forward to touch my face, but I stepped away.
“You made it clear what you thought of me. So, I’ll keep my distance just as you requested.” I flicked my hand up and my fire mist overpowered his shadows, freeing me instantly.
“Thea, Gods damn it. You don’t understand. This is for your protection, not because I hate you or don’t like you.” He grabbed my arm and forced me to look at him. “There are things you don’t understand.”
Nothing made sense to me, but this just seemed like he was being cruel. I pulled my arm from him.
“Well, you’re doing a bad job at staying away from me.”
He swallowed hard as he glanced away from me.
“Trust me, I know. Staying away is for the best.” He sounded as if he was trying to convince himself more than me.
“No problem. I don’t want to be near you at all after how you treated me in front of everyone. You made me feel pathetic, Cassius.”
Something close to pain or sadness crossed his features and I immediately wanted to take back my words. This was all too confusing. I hated him, but I also knew I’d forgive him if he asked me to.
“If I could take back what I said, I would.” He frowned and stepped forward quickly to catch me off guard, pulling me to him in a tight hug. It felt oddly like a goodbye. When he pulled back, he crushed his lips to mine and held me against him tightly, as if he were scared I would move away. Cassius’s lips were demanding, and my knees probably would have given out had I been able to process what was happening. I didn’t have a chance to kiss him back before he pulled away. My heart was beating wildly in my chest as warmth spread through my veins.
