Chapter 10 A Close Call
A Close Call
Kai
With every passing moment, I feel like I’m missing something. My declaration of my mission shocked her more than I assumed it would. There’s fear in Siralaine’s eyes, fear that I’ve only ever seen in the eyes of an enemy.
So what the fuck am I missing?
Her hair is naturally dark, so she can’t be a sea siren. If she were, I would have to take the life of my own mate.
After my statement, she had simply nodded and turned her back to me, but I could still hear her heart thumping violently.
Her story still doesn’t add up… water fae usually have blue or grey eyes.
There’s something about her that she’s hiding.
Let’s say I believe her, and she is a water fae.
She said her family home overlooks the sea, meaning there must be a way to bypass Morcant’s security if it’s through allied territory.
But every word from her lips is laced with secrets…
I now turn on my side as I settle down beside her. Her scent hits my nose, and I resist inhaling it. She smells too good, and it’s distracting.
What are you hiding from me, little mate?
I lay there, knowing I won’t get any sleep tonight, not when there’s someone so close to me. I trust no one; I can’t. Not when I have many enemies.
I rest my head on my arm, looking at her back. In the dark, her silhouette is outlined perfectly. Reaching over, I brush her hair out of the way so I don’t tug on it, and place my arm over her waist, pulling her flush against me.
Siralaine gasps, stiffening in my arms. “What are you doing?”
“I wasn’t worried that you might fall off if that’s what you think. I’m just making sure you don’t try to run,” I say quietly. “Now go to sleep.”
She remains tense, but her body feels good pressed against mine… There might be other reasons why I won’t get any sleep tonight.
“I don’t think you were worried,” she mumbles.
“Oh yeah?” I whisper huskily. “What do you think then?”
She doesn’t reply, and I brush my fingers lightly across her stomach.
“N-nothing…” she breathes.
You can try to fight me, darling, but it won’t get you far…
I close my eyes, my fingers drawing light circles over her shirt. She places a hand over mine, a weak attempt at stopping me, but she isn’t resisting me. I brush the tips of my fingers down over the curve of her stomach, smirking when I feel her press her thighs together.
“I already told you, I’d rather die,” she snaps suddenly, becoming rigid as she rolls onto her stomach, and turns her head to look at me, frowning.
I resist a smirk; she looks rather cute right now. “Well, we both know that option is still open.”
I keep my arm firmly around her waist as she scoffs and turns her face away from me once more, but she stays on her stomach.
I wake up to the sound of shouting from outside. My eyes snap open, my heart racing as I realise I hadn’t even woken up the moment the sun rose. I never sleep that well.
I glance at the woman beside me to find she’s nestled into the crook of my arm, one arm pressed against her chest, the other resting on my abs, and she’s fast asleep. Her shirt is hanging off her shoulder, revealing her smooth, creamy skin.
I smile faintly. Looks like I’m not the only one who slept well.
I’m about to sit up and check what the shouting is about when Siralaine lets out a small breathless sigh, her hand slipping lower. My morning wood stands proudly, creating a tent in my pants. Any lower and she’ll be touching me, and I’m not sure I’ll be able to resist.
I remove her hand from my stomach and get off the bed, stretching as I walk over to the window and peer out. I hear more commotion, trying to make sense of the shouting, but I can’t. Then I hear the sound of hooves.
What is going on?
Sniffing the air, I smell something burning.
Fuck. My senses are now on high alert.
“We need to go. Now!” I say, turning to see she’s awake. She’s sitting up, with her long hair tumbling in front of her face, her large eyes still heavy with sleep and her pretty lips set in a sexy pout. The perfect view to wake up to, and one I would enjoy if we weren’t under attack.
“What is going on?” she asks as I grab our things swiftly, pulling on my shirt and jacket before tossing her pants to her.
“I’m not sure, but we’d better leave. Put this on.” I throw her the cloak as she grabs her shoes, and I yank my boots on quickly. I grab my sword belt and buckle it on before shouldering my bag and holding my hand out to her.
She looks up at me, surprised, before glancing at it, as if expecting me to retract it.
“There’s chaos out there; I don’t want you getting lost.” Nodding, she slips her hand into mine, and for a moment, confusion flits across her face, but then it’s gone. Can she really not sense the bond?
There’s no time to waste. I open the door, only to be met by screams and chaos down the hall.
“Why are they killing everyone?!” Siralaine whispers frantically as I pull her down the opposite direction in the hall.
“I’m not sure,” I mutter, pausing as I hear chaos from ahead as the smell of smoke and ash grows stronger.
“If you’re harbouring a fugitive, you will pay the price!”
More fire blasts down the hall, and I yank her to the side.
Fire fae… whose side are they on?
Are they here for me? Is it because of the dead bodies at the entrance of the portal?
“I can’t breathe…” Siralaine murmurs.
“You’re a water fae. Summon enough power to keep yourself safe. We need to get out of here.”
There’s nowhere to hide. I scan the hall, trying to find the best escape route. We should go up.
“This way!” I whisper, dragging her along.
“Over there!” someone shouts, and it’s followed by a blast of fire.
Fuck!
“They might be after me!” Siralaine whispers as I head upwards towards the roof.
“The water fae are pretty peaceful people, aren’t they? Why would they call you a fugitive?” I ask, sparing her a glance. Her heart thunders as our eyes meet, and I narrow mine, understanding hitting.
She’s hiding far more than she’s let on, when I’ve already given her a chance to come clean to me. Irritation rushes through me.
“We cannot escape them!” she shouts. “Let’s split up.”
“Not happening!” I am not going to lose her, even though keeping her by my side is fucking up my own mission. “And for all we know, they may be here for me.”
“Stop!” She takes hold of my arm as we round the corner and looks up at me. “I don’t think they’re here for you.”
“And you think they’re here for you? Why would anyone send such a big entourage out? What are you worth?”
Siralaine hesitates, glancing over her shoulder. “This is my fight, I’m sure. Maybe someone recognised me. They said ‘fugitive’, and that’s me.”
Who are you?
“Well, too bad. You’re my prisoner right now, and I need you. We aren’t splitting up. That’s final.”
“Then, let’s just split up to make it easier for us. I promise I’ll meet you on the roof!” she pleads, and for the first time, I think she’s telling me the actual truth.
But I’m not about to risk her life.
“Nice try, darling. But I don’t play games with liars.” I drag her behind me, blade in hand. “We finish this together.”
Her frown deepens, but she doesn’t argue. Suddenly, the wall to the left explodes, and three tall fae step through, their silhouettes framed in fire and smoke.
The leader’s voice is sharp as steel. “Step aside and you might live.” His eyes are already on her.
So they are here for her.
“I’m afraid I can’t do that,” I reply lazily, but my grip tightens on my blade.
“King Morcant will have your head for obstructing justice.”
If that’s true, at least we share the same enemy.
“And what are her crimes?” I ask, my tone mocking.
“Betrayal. By order of the King of Elmeria, she is to be taken alive to face trial.”
Alive? How generous.
Yet I wonder what she did to be wanted by Morcant.
I tilt my head, studying them like scum beneath my feet, then cast her a quick glance, wanting to know if this really is true.
She’s trembling, and her heart is racing.
Her silence confirms her betrayal. And yet…
I step in front of her, blocking her from their sight.
My arrogance disguises what I refuse to name.
“You want her?” My voice is level, yet sharp. I raise my blade. “Then come and get her.”
The first lunges towards me, but he doesn’t manage to reach me. My sword cleaves through his chest in one clean stroke, his scream cut off in his throat as he falls to the ground, dead – his blood painting the ground beneath him.
There is no one I have yet met that can beat me in battle, and that isn’t about to change now.
The second fae tries to sneak up on me, his eyes blazing with rage.
Flames curl at his hands, but I catch him mid-swing and drive my blade through his stomach.
He twists and manages to take a swing at me.
I kick the third aside, but he’s fast, countering and taking a swing with his sword.
I jump back, moving Siralaine with me. It’s too tight in here to get much room to defend properly.
I block a few blows, our movements a blur. They’re more careful now, even the one wounded. He’s using his powers to throw ball after ball of fire in my direction.
They exchange a signal, and I tense, readying for whatever they’re about to.
Then fire erupts from all directions. Without thinking, I extract my wings, unfurling them fully, shielding Siralaine from the fire.
Through the blinding flames, I spot one of them darting forward and taking a deep stab to my right, but I’m a second too late, and it slices through me.
I snarl as I twist my sword and pierce it through his heart.
The final fae hesitates, shock flashing in his eyes, but it’s already too late for him. I close the distance, walking through the flames, pointing the tip of my sword under his chin before he can move.
I lean in, close enough for him to see the smile that never reaches my eyes. “Tell your King,” I whisper, “If he wants her, he’ll have to drag her away from my dead hands.”
Then I slice through his shoulder, deeply and critically, but enough to allow him to deliver the message. He crumbles to the ground, and the flames die.
Silence falls, broken only by Siralaine’s ragged breathing.
I turn to her, my expression unreadable, though my pulse is still pounding from the fight. She looks at me with wide, fearful eyes, perhaps more afraid of me than she was of them.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I ask, my voice low, but the ice in it makes her flinch.
I loop my arm around her waist in a motion that is more possessive than protective.
She’s mine, and she and everyone else better remember that.
Her eyes skim over my body, her breasts heaving as I look down at her, waiting for an answer, and despite the fear in her eyes, she doesn’t pull away.
She swallows, her lips trembling, and I think she might confess, but instead she closes her mouth, shaking her head as if trying to get her bearings.
“I-I…”
I let out a low, humourless laugh. “Once we’re out of here, you will tell me what you are hiding. Just remember who is keeping you alive.”
My hand brushes the small of her back, possessive, mocking, as if reminding her she belongs to me, whether she admits it or not.
“Ok, I will…” she whispers, but I’m not sure there’s much truth in that.
“We’re both enemies of Morcant. Why not trust me?”
She doesn’t reply, and I release her, scoffing as I mask my irritation.
“Stay close, darling,” I murmur, eyes locked on hers. “Or next time, I might not be there to save you.”
And without waiting for her answer, I stride ahead, leaving her caught between fear, fury, and the dangerous truth simmering beneath it all.