Chapter 18 - Where You Belong
Athena didn't know how to respond to him.
This is where you belong.
The words echoed in her mind as she stood in the courtyard, breathing in the cold mountain air. They didn't feel threatening. They didn't feel mocking.
They felt... certain.
Like he wasn't guessing.
Like he knew something she didn't.
She wrapped her arms around herself and looked around.
The courtyard was carved directly into the stone, high walls rising around it like the inside of a mountain. Above, the sky stretched wide and pale with morning light. Torches still burned along the edges, their flames flickering lazily in the breeze.
She had never seen anything like it.
"This place..." she whispered. "How old is it?"
The man beside her-she still didn't know his name-shrugged slightly.
"Older than you can imagine."
She nodded, even though that answer made no sense.
They walked slowly along the edge of the courtyard, her footsteps quiet against the stone.
She noticed something strange.
People passed them.
Men and women dressed in simple dark clothing.
They didn't stare at her.
They didn't whisper.
They lowered their heads slightly as they walked by.
Respectfully.
Not fear.
Respect.
Her stomach twisted.
"Why are they doing that?" she asked.
The man glanced at her. "Because of who you are."
Her chest tightened.
"I think you're confusing me with someone else."
He didn't respond to that.
They walked back inside through a side corridor, and Athena felt eyes on her again.
Not hostile.
Curious.
Like she was something unexpected.
They turned a corner and nearly ran into another man.
This one looked completely different.
Tall. Lean. Calm. His hair a dark blond, his gray eyes sharp but thoughtful.
He stopped when he saw her.
And then he did something that startled her.
He bowed his head slightly.
"My lady."
Athena froze.
"I'm sorry?" she said.
The large man beside her spoke for the first time with a hint of familiarity.
"Rowan."
Rowan's eyes never left Athena's face.
"Welcome," he said gently.
Her heart began to pound.
"Why are you calling me that?"
Rowan exchanged a brief glance with the larger man before answering.
"Because it is appropriate."
Athena shook her head slowly.
"I don't understand anything that's happening."
Rowan's expression softened.
"You will."
That answer made her more uncomfortable than any of the others.
She stepped back slightly.
"I think I'd like to go back to my room."
Rowan nodded immediately. "Of course."
As the larger man turned to guide her back, Athena felt it again.
That strange pull in her chest.
She paused and looked down the long hallway to her left.
For no reason at all...
She knew someone was there.
Watching.
Her eyes scanned the dim corridor.
She couldn't see anyone.
But she could feel it.
A presence.
Strong. Familiar.
And somewhere in the shadows, out of sight-
Silas stood perfectly still.
Watching her.
Feeling the same pull she did.