Page 61 of Her Ivory Flame

She heard footsteps moving around, fire long burned out and a small amount of moonlight made shadows around the room. She leaned against the wall at the corner, her axe close to her chest and ready to strike if needed.

Whoever it was got closer and when she heard them about to turn the corner, she struck.

Her shoulder met with the person’s waist and they both fell to the ground with a loud hug.

“What the?” she heard a familiar voice under her as she straddle them, axe at their throat.

She pulled on her magic and let the flame burn around the axe blade, the glow from her power casting light around them.

“Silas?” she sneered, pressing the axe harder against his throat.

“What the hell Alyra?” he barked back, his hands grabbing at her arm to push the axe away.

She jumped off of him quickly, the feeling of him against her brought back too many feelings she didn’t want to acknowledge but kept her axe aimed in his direction.

“Why are you here?” Kaden’s murderous voice came from behind her, his towering presence stopping an inch from her backside.

Her flame was the only light source around them until Silas walked to the closest lantern and sparking the wick. She squinted as her eyes adjusted and turned slightly away from the light, bumping into Kaden’s chest on accident.

She could smell lilac on him, an aroma they used to have in her homeland and she paused in surprise. How did she not smell that on him before, or better yet how did he have it?

“They pulled me back from the border.” Silas said, his voice close to a snarl.

“I knew that.” Kaden snapped. “Why are you here in her room?”

Kaden knew he was coming back and didn’t tell her. She shot her eyes up to him, his gaze fixed on Silas and turned to follow his stare.

It was obvious Kaden had come from her bed area and she knew how it must look. She would let him think what he wants, she didn’t owe him any explanation.

“I’m returning to my position as her night guard, Emris gave the order.” Silas glanced her direction and she could feel the color drain from her face.

“No.” she blurted out quickly. “I don’t want you here.”

Silas leaned against the wall and crossed his arms, his face schooled into a calming expression she knew too well. Something about his demeanor had changed since he left, a more carefree feeling and even a small amount of malice in it.

“I do as my king says,” he replied casually.

She felt her body start to shake and she couldn't tell if it was from anger or fear. She didn’t want him around, didn’t even want to look at him and yet he is adamant about staying close to her.

She felt Kaden shift behind her and he stepped around her without contact, his shoulder now blocking half of her from Silas. That faint pull in her stomach tugged and she let out a long breath

“You can stay here all you want.” Kaden spoke. “However, I will be staying too. Might want to get an extra couch or cot brought in for you.”

Silas glared at him, his eyes noticing Kaden’s protective stance in front of her and he flared his nostrils.

“What is wrong with this couch?” Silas pointed.

“That’s where I sleep.” Kaden snapped.

“So the empty spot on the bed is open?” Silas’s eyebrow lifted, his voice mocking and she felt her flame flicker on the axe again.

“Come close to me or my bed and I won't hesitate to slice open your throat.” she warned, her eyes narrowing on Silas.

He just chuckled and pushed himself off the wall towards the fireplace. She watched him casually place some wood on the coals burning and within a few seconds, flames flickered around it.

“I guess I shall go wake Raine and have her bring me a bed.” Silas stood and stretched his arms.

“Absolutely not.” she spat. “She doesn’t deserve to be woken in the middle of the night because of you.”