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“You could have died,” he continues. His voice hasn’t calmed. If anything, he’s getting more worked up.
We’re nearing the bottom of the staircase on the second floor. From there, we’ll have to go through the hallway to get to the steps that lead to the foyer.
Exasperated, I stop when we arrive at the landing, and I pull my arm away from Kai.
Facing him, I look him straight in the eye and raise my chin defiantly. “You know what? I’m not sorry.”
“What are you doing? Let’s go.” He reaches for my hand, but I yank it back.
“You’ll have to excuse me.” Being a smartass, I stick a finger in my ear and wiggle it like I’m trying to unclog something. “I thought I heard you say ‘thank you’ for saving your life but it sounded like a word salad of ingratitude.”
Kai huffs, and I can tell it takes a lot of effort for him to grit out, “Forgive me, my queen.”
“For what?” I want him to say it. I want to hear him tell me I did a good job.
Instead, he doubles down.
“Forgive me for caring about you too much. Forgive me for valuing your life above my own. I cannot—will not—entertain the idea of harm coming to you. Even if your intentions are good and your actions are noble, I can’t stand it.” His statement is husky with conviction. “I can’t lose you.”
Well, it’s not the credit I deserve, but I do get where he’s coming from. I can’t fathom losing him either, and that’s why I can’t sit idly by.
“I’m not completely useless,” I claim, old and new hurt coming through because my interaction with Zarid ripped a Band-Aid off my past trauma, then gave me some more on top of it.
Kai’s eyes soften. “I never said you were.”
“You didn’t have to. I know who I am. I know I’m frightened and fragile. But you make me want to be strong, and I just showed you and myself that I can be sometimes. Maybe those moments are few, but I’m proud of myself. Why can’t you be proud of me, too?”
“Because I’m too terrified to feel anything else. If you want to help me, just look out for yourself. Please, Sunny.” Kai sounds so exhausted, and it’s hard to be cross with him when he’s in this condition.
My concern for him takes center stage. “I’m not even going to ask if you’re okay because I can see that you’re not. You must be in a lot of pain.”
He scowls. “I’ll live.”
“I know, but this—” I lift my hand to indicate his skin. “This is just awful.”
“I’m aware that it’s grotesque.” Obviously taking my comment the wrong way, he says, “I’d suggest you try not to look if it offends your eyes.”
“Kai, I meant—”
“I think escaping Zarid is the test,” he cuts me off. “In fact, I’m sure of it. We should get back to the maze.”
He’s right. We can iron everything out later.
Before we continue our trek, I quickly say, “A word of advice—if Zarid catches up with us, I’m not being metaphorical when I say we’re toast. You can’t beat him with tricks or physical fighting because as long as we’re up against his fire power, we can’t win.”
“Good intel,” Kai praises, pushing our tiff aside for now. “That means we need to go.”
On edge, we move forward.
When we get out into the hallway on the second floor, the corridor is empty. All the doors are open, and there’s a bright glow ahead where the stairs lead to the foyer.
Light at the end of the tunnel.
One of the suns is shining directly through the stained-glass windows over the main entrance, and it sends rays of yellow, blue, and pink onto the walls.
Unfortunately, we don’t get far before all hell breaks loose. We’re not even past the first guest bedroom when Zarid’s shout echoes through the castle.
“Traitors! Traitors are escaping! KILL THEM!”
