Sniffles came from behind me, and I was certain if I turned back, I would see Bailey crying full happy tears. I imagined that the relief of knowing her family, especially her child, was safe from the clutches of Malakai was overwhelming. My heart soared for them.
“And what of Kyella?” Elijah asked, renewing my own anxiety.
“I need to think of the ramifications of both decisions that could be made,” the Empress answered. “Things are not as simple as they seem.”
“Of course, Your Majesty,” Elijah relented, bowing his head in acceptance.
In a way I was glad for her answer. I wasn’t prepared to hear her say that she wanted to send me back.
“In the meantime, please see that all of our guests are placed into rooms, Elijah. You can choose whichever you deem fit.” Then, turning to me, she said, “Please, freshen up and rest. We will meet for dinner tonight, and I will make my decision for you then, Kyella.”
Keeping my head held high, I nodded once. “Thank you for your hospitality and for allowing this family to stay here. I’ll forever be grateful to you for that, no matter your decision.”
I meant every word. I couldn’t have lived with myself if Tristan, Bailey, and Rina were sent back and executed because of my desire to escape. It was the heaviest burden I could’ve carried.
Barnabus made clicking noises at that, making the Empress smile. Could she understand him?
“Dakath and Kolvar, please stay behind to talk of the mission further while Elijah shows them to their rooms,” she requested.
Kolvar sighed, seeming disgruntled at the idea of leaving me, and turned to face me. “Are you hungry right now, or will you be okay for a little bit?”
He was asking if I needed blood, and I appreciated his thoughtfulness, but I found myself still full of energy and not gnawing hunger. “I’m good, I promise.”
“Come along,” Elijah called as he walked right past me towards the doors.
“His Highness calls,” I teased, flashing a smile at Kolvar. I shocked myself with my humor rising to the surface so easily.
It seemed to have shocked everyone else as well because the room erupted into laughter, turning the tips of my ears hot with the unintentional attention. The Empress’s voice floated through the air as her laughter finally faded. “Be careful, Kyella—he may begin to demand we all call him that.”
I loved her easy going manner, even if I couldn’t completely match it while my fate was up in the air. It made me feel more hopeful about my future here, and it told me a lot about who she was as a person—how different she was from Malakai. I could tell she was very even-tempered and cared about all those within this empire. While I of course would be heartbroken to be sent back if that was her choice, I also couldn’t justify claiming that my own life was worth the deaths of many in her lands if it came to a war.
Dakath offered me a heated, almost possessive look, as I turned and he watched me hurry to catch up to the others, who had already exited the room. Something about the way he looked at me made my skin feel like it was burning, like his energy was naturally wrapping around mine in a tight hold, that I was finding I loved.
Elijah led us up a spiral set of stairs, showing Tristan and his family to a suite down a formal hallway that was well lit and warmly heated. I didn’t get a chance to look into the space, only stealing a quick glance, but the squeal that came from Rina had me guessing it was beautiful.
As we left them to settle in, we moved down a second hallway in a slightly awkward silence. There was a lot I wanted to say to Elijah and so much I wanted to ask, mainly about why he was acting as he did…but I wasn’t positive how it would be met. I didn’t want him mad at me.
Coming to the end of the pathway after a few turns, Elijah stopped in front of a door and gestured towards it. “This is your room. Mine is across the hall, Dakath’s is next to mine, and Kolvar’s is the room directly next to yours. You will be safe here.”
While I appreciated his words, I wanted him to look at me again.
Boldly walking directly into his personal space, I tilted my head back to look up at him. “Elijah, why do you avoid looking at me? At times you seem to want to ignore my existence completely. Yet you chose to help us escape, you even pleaded my case to the Empress—I don’t understand.”
I didn’t understand him, but I wanted to.
I saw his Adam’s apple bob as he swallowed and dipped his chin down to look at me. I didn’t think I would ever get over how beautiful his emerald eyes were.
Reaching out towards the door with his gaze still on my expression, which held an undercurrent of emotion I didn’t understand, he turned the knob. “You’ll find everything you need inside, but I’ll send a few maids up with hot water for your bath and some clean clothing.”
I was frustrated that he’d blatantly ignored my question, but his words had realization slamming into me.
“My bag! I can’t lose it!”
I turned to go back to the throne room, panic infusing my being at the idea of losing the few things I could claim were my own, but Elijah’s hand quickly snapped out to grab my wrist, yanking me back to him. In any other situation, the idea of him touching me would’ve possibly been welcomed, but this touch felt controlling, and my blood boiled in frustration as I wrenched my hand free of his grip and took off.
Unfortunately, I quickly found myself falling to my knees as my vision blurred and my legs moved faster than I could keep up with.
Before I could make contact with the ground, Elijah scooped me into his arms, the world spinning around me. My chest heaved as I struggled to orient myself. One minute I’d been in front of my room, and the next I’d nearly smacked into the wall at the opposite end of the hall.
