Chapter 29
Chapter
Twenty-Nine
-KADIAN-
There was a plan.
Opening my door as quietly as I could, I turned my head from side to side. I knew I would have to spend the evening with Iona, but it didn’t mean we had to walk to the Eternal House together.
I held the folder of papers in my hand, it seldom left my side these days, my grip tightening until my knuckles turned white.
The papers that were now neatly inside had been strewn on a table today in a chaotic sprawl, pages overlapping, some slipping to the floor.
I had never been neat or orderly. Something Brida had never let me live down, and I’d often come to rely on her organization to keep me on track.
University for me had been crumpled papers, clothes everywhere, and generally a good time.
What I wouldn’t give to go back to that now.
The hallways of Azmeer held a different atmosphere.
More guards and Wind Walkers made their way through the palace, every corner, every speck of shadow needing to be observed.
Were they searching for Dainan? The Lord of Shadows?
What was it Lil had called him? I hadn’t seen Rai since his invasion of the Vitality Council.
Whatever was happening behind the scenes, it was clear he was desperate for control.
And he would use whatever means necessary to ensure it.
Rounding the corner to the Eternal House, I marveled at the green stone that lined the walls. While the House of Shadows had a certain appeal, mostly to those who craved its darkness, there was something endearing about the emerald green that greeted me as I approached the rock-carved door.
My placement, while brief, in the Eternal House had been enjoyable. Deep down, I knew I hadn’t spent enough time here to become a full member. My outburst then took whatever chance I’d had left, tearing it to shreds. Sometimes I was my own worst enemy. But with Lil, I had never stood a chance.
Standing in front of the door, I closed my eyes and remembered what it was like to step inside. The stone would split in half, and unlike the House of Shadows, there was no taunting voice when attempting to enter. It was quiet, a blissful quiet. A quiet I’d been craving for some time now.
Brida and I had gone camping as kids, Vale letting me tag along.
In exchange, the one time of year my parents took us anywhere, Brida came, too.
Every night, when Vale had gone to sleep in his tent, we would grab our lanterns and run as far as we could, chasing the darkness, the mysteries that lived in the woods, the stories that were hidden in the breeze.
My favorite spot was when we visited the lakes and hills just north west of Escalia.
We didn’t realize how steep the cliffs were.
But we sat on the edge of one of the mountains lining the water, stargazing all night until the sky broke with the sunrise.
When we returned to camp, Vale had fallen asleep next to the fire, stoking it throughout the night.
“That was close,” Brida had whispered as we made our way back into our tent.
I’d never told her that Vale had winked at me as Brida had gone past, offering me the faintest smile.
No, that was something Vale had given me. His trust, his love.
Breathing in deeply, I swore I could smell pine—sharp and fresh, laced with something almost nostalgic.
My favorite scent. It filled my lungs, grounding me for a fleeting second.
But as I took another breath, the smell intensified, growing richer, deeper, until it was all-consuming.
It wasn’t just a scent anymore; it was a presence, wrapping itself around me, pressing into my skin, sinking into my very bones.
The hairs on my arms stood on end, my senses sharpening to a razor’s edge. My heartbeat stuttered. Something was wrong. Something is wrong.
My vision darkened, edges curling inward as if the world itself was folding in on me. My breath hitched. What’s happening?
A whooshing force ripped through my head, rushing like a violent gust of wind trapped inside my skull. The room tilted, my balance vanishing beneath me as if the ground had been stolen away. I tumbled forward, gravity pulling me toward something unseen.
Then—impact. My palm struck the door’s surface, warm and solid beneath my touch. And just like that, the world vanished, and everything went dark.
???
“Shh.”
Silken fingertips trailed across my cheek, slowly caressing me in a way I’d never felt before. I was calm, unshaken. At peace. The sensation moved across my face before the fingers interlaced themselves with my hair, stroking through it, bringing me to the edge of sleep.
“If you keep doing that, I don’t know how much longer I will be of use.” The words left my lips before I could think, before I could… Where am I?
Opening each of my eyes, I was greeted by a familiar face, a smiling face. One I had loved instantly, one I missed desperately.
“Hello darling,” I whispered up at Lil, whose smile was soft, tender. Whose eyes were full of wonder, mischief, glee, and surprise. Eyes that looked like the water on a sun-kissed morning.
“Good morning,” she giggled. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
I wasn’t sure how I was looking at her, but I knew that whatever expression rested on my face, it was one of reverence. I had seen her… when was the last time I had seen her? It had to have been last night, surely.
My head rested in her lap, and as she lowered her face to mine, I took a moment to breathe her in. The feel of her hair brushing against my face, the smell of the sea, the glow of her skin. Everything about her, about this, was perfect.
Placing my hand on her cheek, I rubbed my thumb from side to side, before pulling her to me fully. Her lips were soft, and the kiss gentle, as if we had done this a thousand times before. But had we?
“I’ve missed you,” I whispered as I held her face.
“Missed me?” She pressed. “You’re becoming even clingier than usual. Going to have to break you of that habit, Your Royal Majesty.”
Gods, of all the nicknames, that is the one she chose? After Rai? After…
“What’s wrong?”
I lifted my head from her lap and, for the first time, looked at the room we were in.
The room was not in the House of Shadows. The walls did not possess the eerie glow of the House, nor did they radiate the same heat. Missing was the black onyx, and in its place stood walls made of blush stone, similar to the rest of Azmeer, well, at least similar to what I had seen.
We were in bed. A bed covered with endless pillows and quilts, something I couldn’t comprehend.
Who needs this much, and why would I ever want her covered?
I looked over to Lil who sat on folded legs, hands placed on her thighs, eyes curiously watching me.
Waiting and observing for me to answer her question.
“I’m sorry, what did you ask?” I couldn’t help but look at her. This felt so natural, at ease. I knew it would be this way; from the moment I’d seen her. Somewhere deep inside me, I’d just… known.
Lil moved closer, raising her hand to my temple, “Are you sure you’re alright? You’re not warm.” Pulling her hand away, she stood from the bed, and I took in the sight of her. Dressed in nothing but a pale blue camisole, she reached for a deeper blue robe.
“I’d prefer you to come back to bed and remove both articles of clothing. As quickly as possible.”
Lil annoyingly continued to tie her robe, gazing over her right shoulder to look at me. “You know very well that we have a schedule to keep today.” She made her way over to a vanity that had a mirror where she found my gaze, “They’ll be here in a matter of minutes to get us dressed.”
Get us dressed? Why in the Gods’ names would I ever want to clothe this woman?
“Did we somehow forget how to dress ourselves? I’m quite positive I saw you put a robe on just now.
Something I would like you to remedy. Immediately.
” I moved my arm to support my head, and continued to admire her.
Every movement was fluid, like water, graceful, practiced. She had been born to be seen, admired.
“You know very well it’s all part of the protocol. The act.” She sighed as she rubbed a cream of some sort onto her face. “Besides, once everything is in place, then you can begin to challenge the traditions, should you wish.”
Rising to a seated position, I looked down at my hands, my arms, they were mine, yes, but they looked stronger.
More weathered. Staring down at my left hand, I couldn’t help but pause as the glint of gold caught the light.
“Kad, you need to get moving.” Lil’s voice cut through my thoughts, forcing me to focus.
I made my way over to the vanity, lowering myself to give Lil a kiss on her neck. My hands rested on her shoulders, gripping them tightly, afraid to let go of her. Fearing if I did that somehow this would disappear, everything would be taken from me.
“You sure you’re okay? I know it’s a big day, but you’re not seeming yourself.”
Pressing a kiss to her ear, I whispered, “I’m fine. Just happy knowing that I am exactly where I am supposed to be.”
Lil placed one of her hands over mine, tilting her head to look at me. “You’re supposed to be over there,” she inclined her head to a bathing chamber. “Readying yourself. I told you; they’ll be here in minutes.”
A low chuckle left my throat as I kissed her once more, the taste of salt on my lips, before making my way across the room.
Standing before the mirror, I took a moment to look at myself.
To truly look at myself. Despite the fact that I had been surrounded by mirrors since waking, it had been impossible to drag my gaze from Lil.
But standing here now, I looked older. Stubble grazed my chin, and while my hair still showed no sign of grey, it no longer possessed the red it once had.
The sandy brown hair I’d grown up with, the color marking me as an Escalian, an average citizen, was back.