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Nineteen
Kelia
When I opened my eyes, I did not expect the queen to be sitting by my side.
“You’re either very brave or very stupid,” she said with a slight twist to her lip. “You could have killed us all.”
With a wince, I slowly slid myself up to a sitting position. Linen had been dressed around my whole chest, covering my wounds. “It was a risk I had to take.”
“My duty has always been to the dark fae.” Glancing over at her son, she rested back against the chair. “The surface fae have their own king and it’s his duty to deal with surface problems.”
“The Rift threatens all life.”
“Yes, it does.” Her expression softened; her gaze fixated on the sleeping prince. “How long does he have?”
“I don’t know. It varies, could be hours, could be days depending on how the infection spreads.” I turned and dropped my feet on the ground, catching my bearings. “How long have I been asleep?”
“A few hours.”
“We need to move.” I stood and wobbled. The queen grabbed my waist to steady me, her narrowed gaze showing her disapproval. “I’m fine. The bleeding has stopped.”
With her hand still on my hip, she stood, and held my chin with her hand. “I have met many humans in my time, and you are unique, stubborn like them, but not selfish, a respectable quality but one that will get you killed. Though you did kill my sweet mamba.”
“My life became forfeit the moment the magi saved me from death and your snake is not dead. I made sure to pin it to the wall without slaughtering it.”
Releasing me, she stepped back, her eyes darkening. “If you save my granddaughter, you will have the full protection of the Underground where the magi are not welcomed. You would never have to return to the surface again.”
Understanding the gravity of her vow, I bowed my head in understanding. “Thank you, Queen Merelda, but I don’t seek a reward. I will do everything within my power to save Mab and the prince.”
My thoughts went to Callum who I noticed was nowhere in sight. The Queen’s mouth curved into a grin. “He’s out there.”
Ignoring the odd flush of warmth to my cheeks, I nodded a thank you. “I’m going to see if he’s ready to leave.”
Quickly leaving the queen’s knowing gaze, I left the medical tent. The area outside the tent was quiet. Fae sat around either sharpening swords or eating, some sleeping on black furs around campfires that held magical flames. Real smoke in the caves would be difficult to see in, but a magical fire could create the same warmth and light without the burn. Pink and azure flames casted beautiful shadows around the cavern, highlighting the unique obsidian and white crystals that made the ceiling seem like the sky of the surface.
Gazing to my left, I spotted a shaggy flash of magenta. Callum had his head down, arms folded, legs crossed, and snoring on a chair that had been melded out of the ground. A magical fire sat in front of the lone fae, the flames highlighting the sharp inclines of his cheekbones. Big, black eyelashes framed his almond shaped eyes, and it was in this moment that I realized how exquisitely handsome he truly was.
My chest rose and fell with sharp breaths as I watched him sleep, uncertain of what I should say. He would want to talk, but I didn’t. The physical and mental fatigue drained my willpower and I needed more than ever to be the stoic warrior the magi trained me to be.
Callum had created a rift within my heart and the chasm left by its wake was tearing me asunder. Never would I have thought any male could change me.
How foolish I was.
With slow, shaky steps I walked over to him.
Suddenly, his eyes opened, his gaze instantly finding mine. “You’re awake.”
“I am.”
He stared at my chest, and frowned. “And clearly not dressed properly.” With a shake of his head, he pulled off his shirt and moved to put it over my head. “Really, Kelia, when this is over, we need to have a proper discussion on your etiquette.”
His fingers grazed my arms and sides as he gently helped me put the shirt on. “How are you feeling? And be honest with yourself.”
It was hard to deny him when he stood so close, and his breath had this dizzying effect on my thinking. “Terrible,” I admitted.
Taking my face within his hands, he leaned closer. “What were you thinking?”
Pain tainted his voice and his eyes watered with emotion. He shouldn’t be looking at me like that, not now when I had to fight to keep my wits about me. “They needed to see it to understand the danger the Rift creates.”
