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CHAPTER8
Eletta followed behind me quickly as I made my way toward the Achlyses’ private hall the next morning. The sun was high in the sky and shining through the glass of the palace in a million dazzling spectrums.
“This isn’t a good idea, my lady,” Eletta whispered just as I passed by a guard and made my way into the room.
Gavril was sitting at the table with a half dozen parchments spread out in front of him. Several guards and men who looked to be of nobility stood around the table as he worked.
He glanced up just as I made my way toward him, and a gentle smile graced his lips. “Adara.” He stood from his chair. “How are you this morning?”
“I’m fine.” I nodded and adjusted the long skirt of my light blue dress. “I was hoping to speak with you for a moment.”
“Of course.” He moved from the table until he was standing directly in front of me, but he didn’t dismiss any of his men. They all stood there within earshot of where we spoke, and I hated the feeling of them all watching and listening.
“It’s a beautiful day, and I would love to get outside the palace.” I felt like a child having to ask his permission, but Eletta assured me that there was no way the guards would allow me outside the gate without his or the queen’s approval.
“Would you like to go out to the gardens?” He looked back toward the table. “I have a bit of work left, then I could join you.”
“No.” I quickly shook my head and winced at the trace of hurt that crossed his face. “I was actually hoping to go into the city. I would have Eletta with me, and I would like to see the kingdom at which I am to serve.”
He looked back to one of his men, and I watched as the one closest to us softly shook his head no. Gavril wasn’t even the one making the decision. He had a room full of men who were so willing to keep me trapped for him, and I did feel trapped.
After walking away from Evren last night, I went to the library and spent several hours reading about the vampyres of Sidra. I had every intention of looking into my own history, but I couldn’t bring myself to walk past the book that had interested me just a couple days ago. Especially not after I found out the truth about Evren.
A truth that not even the history books told. I saw no reference to any half-breed. No legends of the bastard son of King Riven. All I had was Evren’s word and Eletta’s warnings when I told her that I had found out the truth about him.
She told me that even the fae people of Citlali feared their prince for what he was. They feared and distrusted him, regardless of his noble lineage.
I should have shared in that distrust, but I found that all I could think about as I flipped the pages and flopped in my bed was the way he had spoken to me and touched me in that hall. Distrust did not equal distaste, and even though I knew it was bad for me, I found the allure of the dark prince to be too hard to not want.
And that want made me feel more trapped than anything else.
“Please, Your Highness.”
Gavril’s gaze slammed back into mine.
“I would just like to walk and see the city. No harm will come from me leaving the palace for a few hours. Your people would never harm something that belongs to you.”
“You’re right.” He nodded because my words had struck the exact chord of his ego I was aiming for. “But I will send a couple of my guards with you.”
“That’s not necessary.”
“It is.” He looked beyond the men who stood around his table to one of the guards along the wall. “Jorah, gather my brother. The two of you will escort Adara into the city.”
“I’m sure that they have much more important things to do,” I quickly argued. I needed to get away from Evren, not be thrust into the city alone with the prince who haunted my every thought.
“Nonsense.” He looked back at me. “I trust my brother above all others with you. He will assure your safety.”
Jorah walked up to us and gave a deep bow before he addressed me. “The captain and I shall ready a carriage, Starblessed.” His skin was a deep brown that looked absolutely lovely against his uniform, but his deep brown eyes were what caused my breath to catch in my throat.
“Please don’t.” I shook my head. “I would prefer to walk.”
Jorah looked to his crowned prince who gave a quick nod of his head. “Of course. We shall meet you at the grand entrance when you are ready.”
“Thank you.” I looked to both of them before turning on my heel to head back to my room.
“Adara.”
I stopped as Gavril called my name. “Yes?”
