Chapter 23 #3
“These other beings in your world, what are they? Can they come here?”
Sighing, he pulls me tighter against him as though to distract me from asking more questions.
“That’s enough curiosity for today.” Kit attempts to brush it off, aiming a dazzling smile my way, but that doesn’t hide what I see in his eyes.
He said too much. Somehow the small human in his arms managed to get information out of him and that makes him uncomfortable.
Should I say something? Part of me wants to reassure him that I won’t pass on anything he told me, after all, who would I tell?
That would only bring down attention on me and how I came to know this information.
Why do I care that he’s uncomfortable anyway?
I need to keep my mouth shut before I get myself into trouble.
“I have to say though, the royal fashion suits you.”
Something about the way he says this makes me narrow my eyes in suspicion. Why is he complimenting me? Is he just trying to distract me from asking more questions?
“I can understand why the prince didn’t want to let you go,” he continues in a purr. “You look like a princess.”
I am getting whiplash from his constantly shifting moods, and for some reason his change of topic makes me uncomfortable. “I thought you said that the prince only wanted the power I could offer, not that he was interested in me.”
“Could it not be both?” He’s irritated now, his eyes flashing.
“Did you really think that a romance could ever work between you?” He scoffs, stopping in the middle of the dance floor.
“Your life is tied to mine now, which is a dangerous position to be in.” Lowering his face to mine, he stares me in the eye, the atmosphere surrounding him turning sinister.
“Sometimes those around us get hurt as a result.”
Removing myself from his hold, I glare up at him, not wanting him to touch me for a moment longer. He’s right about a relationship between Amir and I, but if he thinks that I will admit that aloud, he has another thing coming.
“Are you threatening me?” I demand, fighting my body’s desire to be back in his arms. His comment about loved ones getting hurt has sparked my protective instincts and I need to know that Ella is safe.
What about the prince? Clearly Kit does not like me interacting with him.
Amir has been one of the only bits of light in my life recently and I don’t want to lose that.
However, to keep him safe I will distance myself if necessary.
“Not a threat, but a warning, dear Kiara.” Reaching out, he brushes back a stray curl of hair from my forehead, leaving a tingling trail on my skin where he touches me. “Keeping your distance is the only way to protect them.”
He’s speaking from experience. I don’t know how I know this, but the certainty of it sings in my gut.
His message is clear. If I want those I care for to be safe, I have to step away.
I will only bring more danger to their lives.
My chest tightens painfully. This is why I kept to myself before I met Ella; having people in your life only leads to heartbreak.
No, I cannot think about this now, not when there are so many people surrounding us. There are important questions I need answers to, and I am determined to get the answer.
“You won’t hurt the prince?” My demand is forceful, aiming to shut down all other conversation.
The look his is giving me is one of condensation and pity.
“If you want to keep up this charade then I won’t stop the prince from pursuing you.
Just remember that all of this is built upon lies.
” Lifting his head he looks around at the stunning ballroom and shoots a pointed look toward where the royals sit.
“A beautiful lie, in many respects, but false all the same.” Gaze locking back onto me, he stares, as though he wants to say something else, but he simply shakes his head. “Enjoy it while you can, Lady Kiara.”
The music suddenly stops and the magic around us drops.
Bowing slightly from the waist, he steps back, his eyes flicking over my shoulder before stalking from the dance floor.
Taking a great gasping breath, I feel like I can finally breathe again, the heavy weight of his presence gone.
Pressing my hand to my chest, I focus on taking several deep breaths, my mind completely overwhelmed.
“Kiara, are you okay?” Prince Amir appears at my side, scanning my face for any signs of distress or harm.
Reaching out, he brushes my cheek with his hand in a similar gesture Kit had done only moments ago.
He’s trying to comfort me, but I cannot stop myself from internally comparing the two of them.
“Did you know that man?” He asks, clearly picking up on the familiarness between myself and Kit.
I stare at the place the demon was standing just seconds ago, slowly shaking my head in answer.
“No,” I whisper, not understanding the turmoil inside my mind. “I don’t know him at all.”