CHAPTER 20 #3
Koen’s jaw clenches tightly, revealing the tension that is burning beneath his composed demeanor. The veins on his neck bulge, pulsating with a restrained emotion as he stares sharply ahead, avoiding her gaze. And mine.
“How dare you lie to me.” Her eyes glisten, knowing right here in this moment she could just let it out, break down in front of him, but she doesn’t. And I don’t blame her.
I envy her for her strength. I feel for her. I understand where her anger is coming from.
A vow is eternal. No man should ever break their vow. To play with a woman's heart, toying around with her with the words of love, is unforgivable. Love is the strongest force there is, the very thing that keeps us breathing, and knowing Koen betrayed her makes my heart ache deeply for her.
But as I have always feared, Koen is heartless. Until we were thrown in the games together, there was a flicker of warmth I have never seen in him, but now, I know the truth. It’s all just an act.
Lykia walks away, leaving the two of us in the dark.
“Now is our chance.” Koen strides forward, pulling his loose strands behind his ears, forcing his emotions away.
I glance back over my shoulder, watching her head into the celebration, and slowly pick up my pace to catch up to Koen.
“What was that all about?” I heavily pant, my feet tumbling over each other as he picks up speed in a violent manner.
“Nothing,” he grunts, climbing over a fallen tree.
“It didn’t seem like nothing, Koen.”
He abruptly stops as he rubs his forehead. His fingers press hard against his skin, his eyes narrowing as he meets my glare. “Why the hell does it even matter to you?” he growls, pacing back and forth. “This has nothing to do with you!”
He needs to stop yelling. The whole Realm of Azure will hear him, and we will be doomed.
“It does actually.” I swallow, feeling the lump in my throat only grow.
He halts, glancing over his shoulder at me. “And how so?”
“We are in this together. My life is in your hands.” My eyes widen, and I rub my nose for a mere second due to the raging storm that is brewing inside me.
“Us going to the archives, we could die if we get caught, yet here I am trusting you. Even though the last time got me thrown into the damn games.”
“You would have been thrown into the games either way.”
“Shut up and let me hate you for that,” I hiss.
He grunts, his eyes rolling as a smirk tugs on the corner of his lips. I become entranced as I watch him lick his bottom lip before responding. “Okay, go on.”
I blink. Snap the hell out of this. I clear my throat. “Since the second I have met you, you have done nothing but destroy my life.”
“Serene—”
I cut him off. “No, let me speak,” I exhale.
“You promised you would make this all up to me. Now is your chance to do so, but your emotions are running high. I can’t have that in the way of us finding answers, I need to know that you are prepared and ready to do what it takes to get us in and out of the archives. ”
His eyes fall, rubbing his lips in a deep thought. “You're right.”
“I know.” I cross my arms.
He rolls his eyes with a deep chuckle at my response. “I—” he falters, his voice trailing off as his mind stirs with a whirlwind of thoughts. His emerald eyes drift away from me while his fingers rub his chin, betraying a hint of worry etched across his brows.
“What is it?” I step forward, my eyes trying to catch the slightest clue as to what could be going on.
“What is your sister's name?” His eyes meet mine at last. “I forgot to ask.”
“Tilly…” I tilt my head to the side, my loose strands tickling my face. “Tileatha is her actual name, but those closest to her call her Tilly. Why?”
He takes a step back, almost tripping over some broken branches as he rubs his fingers through his tousled hair.
“Koen? What is it?” My voice cracks, and I take a step forward, the cool air brushing against my skin as I reach out to touch his back that is facing me. But the crisp sound of leaves crunching underfoot interrupts me, and I pause midway.
“There you two are.”
My tensed shoulders relax as I catch Florian making his way around the trees, striding towards us. He ducks under the low branches, his icy hair beaming against the dark night.
“How did you know we would be here?” I mutter, knowing I want to understand what the hell just happened with Koen, but with Florian here, he will never tell me.
“Koen found me at the celebration. We have a short window to leave the Kingdom.”
“You shouldn’t be going with us.” My lips rub between my teeth, remembering what happened the last time we arrived. I can still hear his painful screams like it happened yesterday. “I am selfish to want you to come.”
“I won’t have to shift.”
“What?” I glance between the two brothers as the wind picks up, blowing the leaves around the lush green grass, making it seem as if tiny stars are twirling around us.
Koen clears his throat, finally turning to face us. “What do you mean?”
Florian grabs his weathered, leather bag from his shoulder. He reaches inside and pulls out a bright milky-white stone. The stone pulses with a luminescent glow, like a distant star twinkling in the night sky.
“You did not!” Koen growls. “Put it back in that damn bag before someone sees this!”
“No, brother. This is the only way we will make it there and back in time for no one to notice us missing.”
“Can someone explain what this is?” I squint, avoiding the light.
“The Light Stone.” Koen’s eyes narrow, pulling his hand to his brows. “The Queen’s stone. The one that we all fight for in the battle games for our Realm to be curse free. How the hell did you get this?” Koen’s voice booms, blaring in the wind, and I just pray no one hears him.
“Not now, I will tell you once we arrive in Nilak.” Florian holds out the stone in his palms.
“There is no way she can travel with the stones! She isn’t a Royal!” Koen violently rubs his hands through his curls as he paces. “She could die, you do know that? My body can hardly handle the pain traveling through it!”
“I can heal her if she gets hurt.”
“Absolutely not!” My voice raises. “Kaine told me everything about you not being able to heal right now due to the curses, and you will not risk your life just to heal me!”
“Put your damn hand on the stone.” Florian’s voice drops to a deep hiss, his brows pulling inward as he glares at Koen. He huffs, placing his palm against the stone, and looks over towards me.
“If she dies, this is on you.” Koen’s eyes darken, his jaw ticking every few seconds before he side-eyes me with soft, unblinking eyes, making my heart seize. “This is a mistake. You can heal… not bring someone back from death. The Gods will never allow it.”
“Serene.” Florian’s eyes widen, the light of the stone casting shadows against his face as his eyes flare with fire. “Trust me. Now.”
Shit.
“If I die, I'm coming back to haunt the both of you,” I snarl as I press my hand firmly against the cold stone, feeling a surge of heat run rampant through my body like an electric current.
My head whips back, eyes wide open, as a sharp gasp escapes my lips.
I struggle to draw in the cool, crisp air around me.
And everything goes white.