AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Thirteen
Kelia
With my hands wrapped around his throat, I leaned over, waiting for him to fight back.
“Kelia,” Callum said in a calm voice. “If you’ll just listen.”
“Listen? You agreed to a mission without my consent and one that includes our reason for being here.”
He flipped us over and pinned my hands to the floor, the action so quick, I didn’t have enough time to react. “Just.Listen.”
“I could kill you and leave with the child.”
His expression softened. “Do you think the queen would allow that? Do you think right now there aren’t eyes on us? You wouldn’t make it out of the palace, and they would return your headless body to the magi with a sincere apology that you died during your service to the queen.”
With a hip thrust, I bucked him off and sent my magic to lasso his hands.
“Is that what you want to do right now?” Sitting on the ground, eyeing me, the tips of his fingers flared red.
How could he do this? How could he agree to this? I was so angry!
I’m angry . . .
Realizing my emotions were taking control, I released Callum. He was unraveling me. Sliding across the floor, he moved to sit in front of me. He reached out a hand. Almost as if he was going to grab mine, but then paused.
“We are in a precarious situation, little sparrow,” he said with a sigh. His shoulders fell. “We’re not leaving the Underground unless we do what the queen asks, but I swear to you now, I will die before anything harms that child.”
An odd sensation bubbled in my chest. A mix of sadness and fear. Pushing the wave of emotion down where it belonged, I shook my head. “Why didn’t the queen ask me herself? Instead, she sends you as her messenger boy.”
He scratched the back of his neck, his gaze darting away from mine. Annoyed, I stood, and he grabbed my forearm.
“Are you okay?” he asked, genuine concern in those silver eyes.
“Of course, I am.” Yanking my arm out of his grip, I turned and left the room.
Alisha leaned against the opposite wall by Callum’s door. Her stark white hair had been braided and looped around her head and she wore scaly tight armor in black. She played with one of her axes, the hilt going side to side in her hand. “Are you two finished?”
“We’re ready for adventure.” Callum laid an arm across my shoulders, smiling and causing Alisha to curl her lip in disgust.
Having him this close sent a wave of warmth to the patch of skin his hand grazed. Whether or not he realized it, he moved his thumb lazily against my neck, giving me chills. If the queen and him were lovers, I didn’t think she would approve of his closeness.
“Mab is already waiting. Follow me.” Alisha turned and when she did, Callum leaned over and kissed my cheek.
“Stay sharp, little sparrow,” he whispered, leaving me at a loss for words.
Not having time to think on how that kiss made me feel, I rushed forward, walking fast to catch up to Alisha who headed for the throne room.
Queen Merelda sat on her throne speaking with Mab who smiled and held a raggedy white, stuffed doll in her hands. The doll was missing an arm and the red sewn on eyes gave it a very odd expression.
“Hello, again!” Mab said and ran toward us. “I hear we’re going on an adventure.”
Callum cut in front of me, not giving me a chance to speak, and squatted so he was face to face with Mab. “We certainly are. Are you ready to help us kill the big evil monster?”
She nodded, smiling, and making me ill all over.
I was her age when the darkthings came. How could I expect this innocent child to fight such darkness? It didn’t seem fair. Though, nothing in this war was fair, and I had to remember that.
“There’s no more time,” the queen said. “Go now.”
