Should I say something? Part of me wants to reassure him that I won’t pass on anything he told me, after all, who would I tell? That would only bring down attention on me and how I came to know this information. Why do I care that he’s uncomfortable anyway? I need to keep my mouth shut before I get myself into trouble.
“I have to say though, the royal fashion suits you.”
Something about the way he says this makes me narrow my eyes in suspicion. Why is he complimenting me? Is he just trying to distract me from asking more questions?
“I can understand why the prince didn’t want to let you go,” he continues in a purr. “You look like a princess.”
I am getting whiplash from his constantly shifting moods, and for some reason his change of topic makes meuncomfortable. “I thought you said that the prince only wanted the power I could offer, not that he was interested in me.”
“Could it not be both?” He’s irritated now, his eyes flashing. “Did you really think that a romance could ever work between you?” He scoffs, stopping in the middle of the dance floor. “Your life is tied to mine now, which is a dangerous position to be in.” Lowering his face to mine, he stares me in the eye, the atmosphere surrounding him turning sinister. “Sometimes those around us get hurt as a result.”
Removing myself from his hold, I glare up at him, not wanting him to touch me for a moment longer. He’s right about a relationship between Amir and I, but if he thinks that I will admit that aloud, he has another thing coming.
“Are you threatening me?” I demand, fighting my body’s desire to be back in his arms. His comment about loved ones getting hurt has sparked my protective instincts and I need to know that Ella is safe. What about the prince? Clearly Kit does not like me interacting with him. Amir has been one of the only bits of light in my life recently and I don’t want to lose that. However, to keep him safe I will distance myself if necessary.
“Not a threat, but a warning, dear Kiara.” Reaching out, he brushes back a stray curl of hair from my forehead, leaving a tingling trail on my skin where he touches me. “Keeping your distance is the only way to protect them.”
He’s speaking from experience. I don’t know how I know this, but the certainty of it sings in my gut. His message is clear. If I want those I care for to be safe, I have to step away. I will only bring more danger to their lives. My chest tightens painfully. This is why I kept to myself before I met Ella; having people in your life only leads to heartbreak.
No, I cannot think about this now, not when there are so many people surrounding us. There are important questions I need answers to, and I am determined to get the answer.
“You won’t hurt the prince?” My demand is forceful, aiming to shut down all other conversation.
The look his is giving me is one of condensation and pity. “If you want to keep up this charade then I won’t stop the prince from pursuing you. Just remember that all of this is built upon lies.” Lifting his head he looks around at the stunning ballroom and shoots a pointed look toward where the royals sit. “A beautiful lie, in many respects, but false all the same.” Gaze locking back onto me, he stares, as though he wants to say something else, but he simply shakes his head. “Enjoy it while you can, Lady Kiara.”
The music suddenly stops and the magic around us drops. Bowing slightly from the waist, he steps back, his eyes flicking over my shoulder before stalking from the dance floor. Taking a great gasping breath, I feel like I can finally breathe again, the heavy weight of his presence gone. Pressing my hand to my chest, I focus on taking several deep breaths, my mind completely overwhelmed.
“Kiara, are you okay?” Prince Amir appears at my side, scanning my face for any signs of distress or harm. Reaching out, he brushes my cheek with his hand in a similar gesture Kit had done only moments ago. He’s trying to comfort me, but I cannot stop myself from internally comparing the two of them. “Did you know that man?” He asks, clearly picking up on the familiarness between myself and Kit.
I stare at the place the demon was standing just seconds ago, slowly shaking my head in answer.
“No,” I whisper, not understanding the turmoil inside my mind. “I don’t know him at all.”
Twenty-Four
My body is exhausted, and my feet feel as though they might fall off, but still, I cannot sleep. Every time I close my eyes I am confronted with memories of floating around the ballroom and at times I swear I can still hear the string instruments of the musicians. In those peaceful moments I remember how it felt to be held by Amir, to have his complete and undivided attention. Inevitably though, Kit works his way into my mind and my body reacts. Even now, I am staring up at the ceiling, scowling and my skin breaks out into goosebumps and tingles work their way from my head all the way down to my toes.
The ball continued on for several more hours after Kit left and I cannot remember how many Lords I danced with. Most of them were fishing for gossip on the prince and the mysterious Sir Kristof. Unfortunately for them, I gave them nothing and many of them left with aching feet from where I tripped over them. Amir is a much better and more patient dance partner.
I was able to spend some time with Ella who had the time of her life. There were several moments where I noticed several of the nobilities children around the same age as her try to strike up conversations. Honestly, seeing that made attending the ballworth it, my heart warmed at her happy expression. I had looked for Caleb, hoping to speak with him, but he had disappeared.
Eventually I was allowed to leave and Abbie met me at my rooms to help me out of my dress and ready myself for bed.
It should have been simple, I’m tired and have had a long day, yet my mind will not switch off. Rubbing my hand across my face, I huff out a breath, frustrated at my lack of sleep. Something that I am unable to ignore any longer is that my room feelsdifferent. It has always been a safe place for me, like a refuge, but for some reason it feels different tonight. Ever since I awoke from my nap earlier today, I have felt shifty and uncomfortable here, as though I’m being watched. Closing my eyes I try to ignore the feeling and clear my thoughts.
“This is a warning, dear Kiara.”Kit’s words whisper through my mind, providing the true reason I am unable to drift off. “Keeping your distance is the only way to protect them.”
Is he right? Will Ella and Amir only get hurt by my presence? What about Abbie? She has become a confidant to me that I have come to rely on. The thought of any of them being hurt is abhorrent to me, and especially if I am the cause. My situation means that I am unable to physically distance myself from them as I cannot leave the palace, which Kit already knows. Meaning he must be suggesting that I emotionally distance myself from them. Could I really do that? Ella would be broken hearted; it would be like her family abandoning her all over again.
The other comment that keeps playing through my mind is how Kit described my new life here. A beautiful lie. No one can ever know the truth and my situation is unexpected. When I told the lie about my magic, I did it to save both Ella and my life. Everything that has happened since has been completely out of my hands. That doesn’t stop the guilt from eating me up inside. Why did Kit have to spoil that moment for me?
Completely frustrated, I roll onto my side and huff out a breath as I try to get comfortable. Can a demon really question the morality of my decisions? I don’t want to be thinking about him and I shouldn’t let him get to me. To my surprise I had a nice time tonight, and I won’t let him take that from me.
Then why do I see his face when I close my eyes?
Growling with frustration I bury my face into the pillow, hitting the mattress with my fist and imagining it’s his face.
A knock on the door makes me freeze. Lifting my head, I strain my ears but I don’t hear anything. Am I imagining things- another knock. Sitting upright, I frown in the direction of the door. Who would be at my bedroom this late? The moon is still high in the sky so there are still hours until sunrise and the palace is quiet and peaceful.
