Page 47 of The Awakening of Essensia

Vaelira was already off him, backing away like he was a threat. Like he’d burned her.

“What do you want?” he said to the messenger, his eyes still locked on Vaelira’s.

She looked away, but not before he caught the betrayal there. It was worse than he had imagined.

This was not how it was supposed to happen. He had meant to explain everything away from the prying eyes and listening ears. Now she looked at him like she didn’t know him at all, and the truth was, she didn’t.

“Her Royal Highness requests your presence,” the man said behind him.

Elijah groaned inwardly. “I will be there shortly.”

Understanding the dismissal, the messengers left.

He felt the inevitable weight of eyes on him but kept his focus on Vaelira. On the woman who had stirred so much hope in him, but was like the rest of them now, head lowered and unable to meet his gaze, her hands loose at her sides. What a contrast to the fiery woman she had been mere moments ago.

He stepped forward, hesitated, then reached for her anyway, lifting her chin gently. “We will speak soon.” He meant it. He had come here to arrange a time to talk privately. Someone could have been sent in his place, it would have been wiser, but he had wanted to see her.

Vaelira didn’t speak.

An uncomfortable weight settled in his chest, so he turned from it and strode down the hall. She would understand once he explained. She had to.

Elijah approached the gate to the Noble Quarter, and a guard swung it open, bowing low. Fast footsteps echoed behind him and he turned, unable to stop the half smile rising to his lips. Vaelira ran towards him.

“Halt!” the guard barked.

“It’s fine,” Elijah said, irritation rising at the guard’s tone. “She’s with me.” He stepped back through the gate, meeting her halfway.

She was breathless and Elijah remembered the feel of those same breaths, warm and unsteady, when she had been straddling him mere minutes ago. He suspected she did too, from the way her cheeks flushed.

“I hit you.” she said.

“If I recall correctly, I landed the first blow.” He winked at her. She didn’t smile.

“Why?”

His grin faded. “Not here.” He glanced over his shoulder. The guard quickly looked away. Elijah squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, then faced her again.

Her jaw was tight, fire returning behind those hazel eyes. For a moment, he wanted to tell her everything, right there in the open. Why he had gone to Anhaven, why he had brought her back, why he had been so furious when she had nearly got herself killed before the gates of Allen, but he could not. He would not take that risk.

She said nothing, and the silence reaffirmed what he already knew. She was folding into herself, withdrawing from him. Just as they all did.

“Tonight,” he said. “Meet me here.”

Her gaze flicked to the guard behind him. “I’m not allowed through without Jurah’s approval.”

He cocked his head at her. “I’m pretty sure heir to the throne outranks Lord Commander.”

He had meant it as a joke, but she did not take it that way. Her eyes dropped, and his heart sank with them.

“Tonight,” he said, softer. “After dinner.”

She looked up. The wind caught her braid, wisps of dark hair blowing around her face. She stepped back, bent her knees awkwardly, and nearly tipped sideways.

“What are you doing?” he said, attempting to suppress a laugh.

She straightened quickly, biting her lower lip. The sight of it stirred something primal in him.

“Am I not meant to curtsy?” she asked icily.