Chapter 8 #2
Since we were in a palace, there had to be some type of hierarchy. “Are you a king? What is Lukas?”
Kiam gestured again for me to follow, and we took a left, entering another tall corridor. “Not a king. Again, these are questions you should be discussing with Lukas.”
“He doesn’t speak to me.”
“Have you tried?”
“To kill him, yes. Beyond that, not really.”
He arched a brow and then laughed a little. “I would have loved to have seen that. I’d shake your hand, but I’d like to keep my limbs where they belong.”
I shrank back. “And I’d like to keep mine.”
I’d always been careful and never played any sports. My hands needed to be in good condition if I wanted to draw and paint.
The air shifted as Kiam glanced down at me, the temperature dropping in a fraction of a second. His chilly, predatory focus made the fine hairs on my arms stand at attention.
“I don’t think you quite understand who or what Lukas is.”
My breath hitched, trapped in my throat as what he was saying tried to sink in. I shook my head, doing my best to blot out the prickly thoughts. “I never asked for any of this.”
I cleared my throat and let a wash of oxygen fill me. “Can we go outside? I could use the fresh air.”
My unwelcome bodyguard led me to a patio, passing a multitude of luxurious scenes on our way. There were others around, but I didn’t dare glance at anyone and kept my eyes down as much as I could.
When the doors opened, I instantly indulged in the soft, warm air. It caressed my skin and calmed my racing heart.
I peered around the fantastic landscape, examining everything I saw as Kiam warned, “Don’t even think about it.”
I waved my hand at him, and crossed the bricks, walking over to a stand of roses. The depth of color in their petals was unreal and seemed like an optical illusion.
The richness of the shade, the way the very fabric of the flower seemed alive, was incredible. Obviously, they were alive, but it seemed as if I could see the life in them, the cells forming and expanding, connecting the plant into the gorgeous shape of a beautiful blossom.
Later, when I tried to draw them, I wouldn’t be able to replicate the phenomenon because how could I capture the impression of movement in something that was static?
The backdrop of the jagged mountains that pierced the sky was a perfect contrast to the delicate flowers.
The paths I dragged Kiam down were free of any litter or other blemishes. There wasn’t a decaying bloom or stray stick to be found. Not even a speck of dirt.
Finally, I found myself next to a marble bench overlooking a sweeping view. There was a divide between the mountains, a dark and lush deep valley, split into two by a meandering river. My heart slammed against my ribs and I whirled around.
Kiam was right behind me, and I stopped, not wanting to smack into him. He stood there with his hands in his pockets, with zero idea why the sight behind me inspired panic.
It was impossible to have painted something I’d never seen before.
Next thing I knew, a unicorn would go prancing by.
“Are there unicorns around here?”
“I’m just as new to this Realm as you are.” He peered over my shoulder. “We are going to head back now. C’mon.” He waited for me to step in front of him.
On our way back to Lukas’s room, I looked around a little bit more, watching the coming and going of the people who either lived or frequented the castle. Noting their attire, I decided to try to blend in better.
“I stick out like a sore thumb,” I muttered to Kiam.
His gaze trailed from my ankles up to my face. “It’s your scent. You smell delicious.” His nostrils flared. “There’s nothing keeping myself or anyone else from ripping you to pieces.”
His voice was soft, casual, but the threat clearly articulated. My hands trembled and I wiped them against my sides. “Then why aren’t you? Why aren’t you hurting me if I’m such a temptation.”
Dark amusement glittered in his eyes, his irises switching from brown to blue, and back to brown. “You belong to Lukas, and I have self-control.”
He turned his face to the side, a cheeky smirk tilting the corner of his mouth. “Besides, what a waste. You’re not my type.”
Should I rub dirt all over myself? I would have, but even the soil had appeared to be clean. “My scent. What are you, some kind of bloodhound?”
Kiam snorted. “You’re funny. Smell is one of the vampire's greatest strengths. Lukas has failed to either mark you or claim you and that leaves you exposed and vulnerable.”
That would explain why he left his friend guarding me. A funny feeling wiggled around in my chest, leaving me wondering why, if I were so important to him, he wouldn’t guard me himself.
“Why hasn’t he?” The second I asked the question; I wanted to take it back.
“That’s something you’ll have to ask him yourself and I recommend you do.”
We turned down the hallway I remembered would bring us back to the suite. “How am I supposed to do that if he’s turned into the invisible man?”
Kiam grinned at me and I felt the atmosphere change. Suddenly, a hand wrapped around the front of my neck and I heard, “I’m right here.”