31. An Ultimate Sacrifice #2
Aradia grimaced. There was no telling what she said or had done when in her vision state. “I what?”
“You called for me.”
She laughed awkwardly. “I must be really out of it if that’s the case.”
Kaiden offered a small smile that didn’t reach his eyes. His hand braced against her back in support as he helped her stand. She tried not to lean into the warmth it provided but it felt good to know he had watched over her.
“I was just filling my water canteen,” she said.
Kaiden leaned down to pick it up.
“There’s a stream a little ways through the trees. I’ll walk with you.”
“That won’t be necessary.” Aradia didn’t move from her spot.
“All the same, I will come.”
Aradia couldn’t help the huff of air which escaped her lips. “Is that concern I hear?” She stepped forward, reaching for her canteen and closing the distance between them.
Kaiden smiled, his voice dropped to a hush. “Caution.”
He turned the canteen over, waiting for her to grab it. Their hands brushed against each other and Aradia couldn’t help the smile creeping across her face as she maintained eye contact with Kaiden.
“By all means, prince, lead on.”
The moon rose to its fullest height, shining here and there through the thick trees and lighting the path ahead. It cast a pale halo around them as they walked in comfortable silence.
Aradia tripped on a root, catching herself on Kaiden’s arm. She looked up at him, a grimace on her face.
“Sorry.”
Kaiden smiled but thankfully stayed silent.
Aradia thought of anything to say to make up for her incessant clumsiness. “What’s Arkan like?”
Kaiden laughed. “Arkan is a kingdom built by its hardworking people. If you are lowborn you spend your life learning a trade and adding talent into the kingdom. It could range from farming, servitude, all the way to mercenary. The trade routes are always bustling through the kingdoms which requires many workers. Silks, spices, blacksmiths, bakers, carpenters, forges, and many more.”
He prattled off the answer as if it was a reflexive report given to foreign dignitaries.
“And if you're highborn?” Aradia asked.
Kaiden shrugged as if the highborn jobs were less interesting or important.
“Well, if you can survive a court full of vipers then your role could go from serving the hierarchy, developing lands and trade, the royal treasury, sitting on the high council, and maintaining order.”
Aradia thought of Kaiden’s many duties. “And where does that leave Cahira and the others?”
Kaiden stopped abruptly. They had reached the stream.
“Well, this is pretty,” she marveled.
Moss clung to the surrounding trees and a mishmash of yellow flowers, which were unique to the Vidrena region, added a colorful variety to the otherwise mundane view.
The full moon shone through a small cluster of branches, casting shadows around them.
A medley of woodland creatures reverberated through the air.
An occasional small splash of a fish coming up to eat the buzzing insects hovering above the waters was heard.
“Alluring would be a better word.” Kaiden’s voice cut through her observation.
She turned but found his gaze solely on her. Her heart did a small flip as she looked away. She took a step forward to the ledge and filled her canteen under a small rippling waterfall.
“Cahira has a will of her own although her duties are like any other princess.” Kaiden answered her previous question. “She will make a fine match for any kingdom. Although none deserve her.”
Aradia chuckled at the thought of such a mundane life for the girl she was beginning to get to know. “Marriage and birthing royals does not seem like a route Cahira is looking forward to. All the stories of her victories by your side have reached even behind the white walls of Gail,” Aradia said.
Kaiden nodded proudly. “Hence why no one deserves her. She is not only a future queen of Valencia blood, but a warrior as fierce as our goddess Morana.”
“No one, huh?” Aradia smiled knowingly. “Not even Fintan?”
Kaiden looked down at where she crouched, twisting the lid onto her canteen. His eyes twinkled in the moonlight.
“That,” he said slowly, “like many things, is complicated.”
Aradia’s smile grew at the thought of learning one of the many secrets Cahira held. “So, there is a story there?”
Kaiden chuckled and shook his head. “Yes,” he said slowly — carefully.
Aradia nodded. “Well don’t stop now, this is the most interesting piece of information I’ve learned since being roped into this whole charade.”
He shrugged. “They’ve been in love with each other for years. But, as with many things, my father made it impossible for them to be together.”
“How?”
He hesitated before shaking his head. “That’s not my story to tell.”
“I’m assuming Fintan is your right hand?”
“He’s the chancellor’s son. Therefore, groomed to become the right hand of the next king, whether it would have been me or not.”
“But it is you.”
Kaiden frowned, looking away. “Yes, it is.”
Aradia paused. She heard the frustration in his voice but tucked the knowledge away for another time.
“Well I know how Rhydar was welcomed in but what about Jasper?”
Kaiden crouched down, picking up a few pebbles, and tossing them into the stream. The sinking thump thump thump was the only response given until he turned to face her.
“Oh no. If you want that story. You’ll have to scrounge up the courage to ask him.” he said.
Aradia tried to read behind his words. The unease crept to the corners of his eyes and tightened his mouth in a small frown. She nodded in understanding. Jasper was different. Since there was no way in Moliath’s depths she was talking to him she changed subjects.
“What do you hope to find in Randale?”
Kaiden stood with a stretch. Aradia noticed how the movement made his muscles pull against his tunic.
“My father knows what we’ve done,” he said, “in Vidrena. The threat you pose is his highest priority now, I imagine.”
“Does it mean I’ve moved off your list of threats?”
Kaiden smiled. “You were never on my list.”
“Careful,” she said with a sly smile. “I could still be your greatest threat.”
Kaiden’s gaze intensified. “In more ways than one.”
Her stomach flipped at his words. “You know I’ve only ever heard awful things about you and what you’ve done. What really changed your mind? Why are you going against your father? I mean, a Valencia heir going against his own legacy is … unheard of.”
Kaiden’s quiet was as heavy as a knife over an extended neck. Aradia dared not move or breathe wrong, afraid if she broke their trance the truth would escape her.
“Peraynia has lived in terror, not knowing if my father might turn his ambitious eye to their city or homes. Imagine what it was like living under the same roof as him. Having to answer to him and watch him do unspeakable things, not only to our realm but within our very walls, and to my family. At some point enough was enough.” He didn’t move a muscle, but his eyes grew darker.
Or perhaps it was the moon hiding behind the clouds, casting shadows on the sharp angles of his face.
Aradia sighed. “Cahira said as much, although at the time, I didn’t know she was speaking from her own experience.”
“I’ve tried to save her as much as I could, but her scars run deeper than the surface level masks she dons.”
Aradia took another swig of water. Her throat tightened with pity at his words. “She wears many. But it seems like only you, and this inner circle you’ve built, know her truly.”
Kaiden nodded before changing subjects. “If anyone knows how my father plans on bringing down the Veil, they would be in Randale.”
“Why?”
“The city is packed with lowlife thugs who have spent their entire existence working with the evils of the realm and the monsters who inhabit it. We’ll find someone who has answers.”
He crossed his arms behind his back, looking quite at ease, but Aradia had come to learn the stance meant he was portraying the Prince of Arkan. Confident and formidable, not to be crossed.
“We?” Aradia coughed awkwardly to cover her fear. “So you’ve decided to accept me into your little group?”
Kaiden chuckled. “It takes much more than a pretty face and a bleak prophecy to worm your way into my inner circle, mic lumin?.”
Was it his undeniable pull or the dehydration making her act so brazen? She stepped closer, testing the space between them — testing him.
“Oh, so you think I’m pretty?” She looked up at him through her lashes.
Kaiden’s eyes glazed, dipping to her lips before slowly raising back to her eyes. He closed the gap until his nose could touch her forehead if he leaned down.
“I know there is more to you than you show. That alone is enough to make any man intrigued.”
“But you’re not just any man.” She moved to walk around him but his hand stopped her.
“No,” he said, grabbing her wrist he spun her effortlessly against him.
Aradia felt the hard press of his body and she swallowed at the impact. She dared to look up, forcing herself to glare in contempt. By the look of smug satisfaction on his face she knew her expression was certainly not portraying it.
He leaned down as if to kiss her.
Aradia held her breath. She glanced down at his lips. If she just moved a little bit more forward …
Kaiden’s low rumble broke her concentration. “You and I both know I’m so much more than that. The real question … ” he whispered, leaning to the right he rested his head against the side of hers. She could hear him take a deep breath, drinking her scent in. “Who are you? What are you hiding?”
Aradia didn’t trust herself to speak. She shook her head barely. The movement pushed Kaiden back in front of her. Seduction was not her forte and Kaiden, she was beginning to realize, was much better at it.
He took a step back with a smile. “When you’re ready, I will listen. Perhaps I might find room for one more person within our circle.” His voice was gentler than she thought would be possible for a man like him.
She huffed a laugh. “I don’t want to be a part of your little band.”
The insult landed flat against his smirk. They both knew her words were a lie.
“Of course,” he said. “The decision would always be up to you if offered.”
“Did you let them decide?” She angled her head back toward the camp.
“Fate intertwined us long before we created our circle. With or without it, each one of us would have found our way to one another.”
How heroic.
She rolled her eyes and brushed past him. “I determine my own fate.”
He followed in silence but Aradia felt his smile behind her.
It only made her walk quicker to the camp.
Unspoken words floated between them, which resulted in her clearing her throat multiple times.
But with not having anything to say, she remained silent.
The campfire had long burned into embers and soft snores came from Rhydar’s tent.
Kaiden walked with her to hers. He lifted the flap entrance and she stepped through, turning to face him.
“I–” she began but stopped.
He waited for her to continue. When words failed her, he nodded knowingly. “Try not to have any more visions tonight.”
She cleared her throat. “Thanks.”
He raised a brow in question.
“For catching me.”
He cocked his head to the side, assessing her. The gesture unnerved her more than it should and reminded her too much of Cahira. Perhaps they had learned the movement from their father. The thought made her sick but she held her ground, offering the smallest smile.
“Goodnight, Priestess,” he said quietly as if it was only meant for him to hear.
Aradia dipped her head. She let the flap fall between them before she whispered into the safety of her tent.
“Goodnight, Prince.”