Somehow I knew that Kyella would never be someone to take orders—not anymore, especially now that she had found freedom. But in the bedroom? Would she bend to commands? If she trusted someone enough…
Fuck, what the hell was I even thinking?This wasn’t a healthy mindset because none of this was possible. Not with my life, not with the position I held and everything I had to do. I needed to move past this.
“You came to my room early to ensure I had breakfast?” Her gaze lit with curiosity and what seemed like disbelief. “Or did you want to go to breakfasttogether?”
I moved my gaze to the dining hall, where some attention was turning our way, before answering, “I wanted to ensure you started your day out right. It will be a long one, I’m sure.”
When she didn’t provide a response, I looked back to find her watching me with narrowed eyes, as if trying to dissect my very being. I swallowed hard and held her gaze as I watched her eyes shade with what appeared to be disappointment.
“Right,” she drew out, her jaw clenching. “Of course. Breakfast is important.”
Yeah, she really didn’t like my answer.
“Kyella!” I called as she strode into the hall ahead of me. I could feel more eyes on us, and I realized that despite calling her name, I had no idea what to say to her. How did I explain my dilemma? How did I explain that this wouldn’t work between us, whatever ‘this’ was?
“What, Elijah?” she demanded, her eyes darkening as she arched a brow in challenge. I’m sure she thought it would piss me off, but all it did was make me want her more. There weren’t many people willing to stand up to me, and the way she did it was so incredibly enticing.
Running a hand through my hair, I tried to figure out a way of fixing what I’d messed up without revealing all my cards. “I wanted us to have breakfast, to ensure you ate—”
Kyella sighed. “I know. That’s what you just said, Elijah.”
“— together. I wanted to have breakfast together, or else I could have had it delivered to your door.” I gently wrapped a hand around her upper arm and led her to a group of private tables. “Now come on, time to eat.”
* * *
Once we were settled at our table, a server came by with two goblets of blood as well as some pastries for Kyella. Her eyes weren’t on the food, though; they were only on the blood, and I nearly groaned as her tongue peeked out and ran over her lips.
“Have a drink,” I encouraged, unable to resist the urge to take care of her.
She swallowed nervously and picked up the goblet, taking a hesitant sip but with far more ease than last night.That had been such a mess.At least at first, before we knew what was going on. And when it had been explained, well… I felt nearly as bulldozed by surprise as when I’d first laid eyes on Kyella.
I had known there was something special about her, but never in a million years could I have imagined she was a type of creature I’d never heard of before. It was both fascinating and worrisome, and it was no wonder why she had been so important to Malakai.
Her brow dipped as she took a longer sip, the tension rolling off of her as she finished half her glass. I hadn’t realized how uncomfortable she’d been until now. I knew it wasn’t from anything to do with us, either. No, that type of tension only came from hunger.
Why hadn’t she left the room earlier? Or told one of the others?
“How long have you been hungry?”
Her cheeks flushed as she took a break from drinking. “Honestly? A few hours now.”
“You should’ve told them,” I said firmly. My brothers would’ve immediately found a solution for her. I was almost positive her room had a bar with blood in it.
“It wasn’t purposeful.” She took a longer sip before answering the rest of my question. “I’m pretty used to being hungry, so I don’t even notice it half the time, and this is all new to me… So yeah, I'm still getting used to it.”
I wanted to wipe her mind clear of any time in which she didn’t have everything she needed.
“Anytime you’re hungry, let me know,” I commanded.
She seemed perplexed. “Why?”
“Why?” I retorted, blinking in surprise.
“Yeah, why?” she asked again, propping her chin on her palms as her eyes bored into my soul. “Why do you care? Why do you want me to tell you?”
Because it would obsessively bother me if I didn’t think you were being taken care of.
“We brought you here. You’re our responsibility.”
