I pace the worn rug, doing the same thing I’d done when it was Father sitting behind that desk.
Kitt leans back in his chair with a sharp clearing of his throat. Sensing the tension, Easel steps forward to offer, “There is no alternative. This is what the court wants.”
“This is a death wish,” I bite out. “That is why they want her to do it. Not to prove her benevolence but to die trying.”
It’s Calum who speaks next, though I don’t bother looking at the Mind Reader. “I have faith that Paedyn can do this. And traveling to Izram will impress the people far more than even finding that crown.”
I shake my head, failing to hide my frustration. Damn pretending. Damn these Trials. Kitt already suspects that my allegiance to Paedyn runs far deeper than me being her Enforcer. “All of this for what? To deliver some damn roses?”
Easel draws a breath. “Izram struggles to grow them due to their sandy soil. And—”
“Roses are used to treat illnesses.”
It’s the first thing she’s said since striding into this study and taking a seat beside the fireplace. At the sound of Paedyn’s voice, I turn to look at her, finding those blue eyes already pinned on me.
“I was the daughter of a Healer once,” she continues simply. “I know of the benefits and high demand for the flower.”
Kitt nods in agreement to her words. “This gift would be beneficial to Izram—a physical peace offering for shutting off trade with them. Queen Zailah has yet to hear of our opened borders, so it would be Paedyn who reintroduces Ilya as an ally.”
“And the Shallows?” I ask, exasperated. “The things that lurk within it?” I’m suddenly bracing my palms on the desk, leaning forward as I say, “Kitt, you know that Jax’s parents died in a shipwreck over that sea. That was the very last time anyone has publicly tried to make the trek.”
“I know.” Kitt’s voice is suddenly stern. “Of course I remember what happened to Jax’s parents. But times have changed. Ships have evolved. Teles and Hydros will be on board. Extra precautions have been made.” He pauses. “Paedyn will be safe.”
Easel’s long mint hair comes into view beside Kitt’s desk. “As for what supposedly lurks within the Shallows, we have no way of knowing if those myths are true or not. But, rest assured, the ship will be equipped with weapons and plenty of Elites.”
That finally has Paedyn standing from her seat, unsurety slanting her brows. “What myth?”
I gesture to the court’s spokesman. “You’re the one sending her on this journey, so why don’t you tell her?”
He obliges, though, slightly hesitant. “It has been said that the Plague may have even altered… animals. There are stories of enhanced creatures—bigger, faster, stronger than before. Because of that, many believe there to be some creature living in the Shallows.”
“A beast that belongs to the sea,” I finish for him, turning my attention back to Paedyn.
My words seem to have hit her with a sudden realization. Her eyes are pinned on the carpet, her head shaking slightly. “The bats…”
“What?” Calum asks, stealing the question from my lips.
“The bats,” she repeats distractedly. “There were these massive bats in the cave above that crypt. I remember thinking there was something unnatural about them.” Her eyes find Calum’s. “Do you think they were…?”
“Genetically mutated?” He inhales deeply, tucking tanned arms behind his back. “It is definitely possible. The Scholars have collected evidence themselves, though they don’t publicly speak on it. But that doesn’t mean this sea creature is anything more than a bedtime story.”
“Yet another thing I never got the chance to learn on the streets of Loot.” Paedyn huffs out a laugh, the sound cutting. “I really am Ordinary. Even to animals.”
I catch the slight hardening of Calum’s face, likely in response to the bitter way she speaks about herself. “Are you up for this journey, Paedyn?”
“I didn’t realize I had a choice,” she answers earnestly. “But if this is what the people need from me…”
Easel nods solemnly at her words.
“Then I will do it,” she finishes.
“I’m going with her.”
There is not a hint of hesitancy in my voice. It’s a demand, a compromise I won’t negotiate. Even worse, I don’t care if my worry for her seeps into the words. I will follow her to the bottom of the sea if I must.
“Kai, you can’t be serious—” Kitt starts, sounding betrayed.
“I’m not just your Enforcer,” I state. “I’m now Paedyn’s as well. And if there is one thing Father ensured I had learned, it was to never let my king and queen face danger unless I was between it and them.”
I can feel Paedyn’s wide gaze roaming over me, but I don’t dare let my stare stray from Kitt. He studies me long enough to have Calum begin filling the silence. “The king needs his Enforcer here—”
Cutting him off, it’s Kitt I speak toward. “What do you think that crew will do to their Ordinary queen?” My voice drops as I murmur, “It wouldn’t surprise me if they tried to throw her overboard the second that ship reaches open water. Call it a freak accident.” I shake my head. “But not if I’m there. No one will dare touch her. And if you weren’t so damn important, Brother, I know you would be on that ship with her. But we can’t risk losing you. So risk me instead.”
“I’ll ensure the crew behaves,” Kitt challenges.
“Threats won’t stop them from throwing her overboard and returning with a tale about how the future queen ran off in Izram,” I counter quietly.
“Kitt.” Paedyn is suddenly beside me, her palms pressed against the wood desk. “I wish it was you coming with me.”
The words sting more that I suspected they would. Even knowing this is another moment of pretend, I feel a twinge of hurt in the heart I’ve so readily given her.
“But you have a kingdom to rule,” she continues steadily. “And if you want me to return to it, I need some protection.”
After a long moment of scrutinizing, Kitt finally tears his eyes away. “All right,” he says, voice hushed. “Kai will go with you.”
I nod curtly despite my sudden relief at his words. “I’ll ensure she makes it back to you.”
“I’m sure you will.”
“When do we leave?” Pae cuts in, sensing the slight tension.
It’s Easel who answers. “Day after tomorrow. Early.”
“You’re making the right decision, Kitt.” I swallow. “For your future bride.”
Everything inside me recoils at the words, but I utter them all the same. He seems to notice how much it pains me. But he plays along, giving a slow nod to the door. “You two have some packing to do.”
Not a very subtle dismissal, but I can’t say I’m surprised. So I take the hint along with my leave. Reaching the curved staircase, I climb the steps two at a time, following the familiar route toward my room.
My pace is even, hopes oddly high for one who may be sailing to their death. But I am no stranger to drowning. I’ve been doing just that since the day I looked into her ocean eyes.
A power shifts beneath my skin, growing stronger with each step. It feels familiar, harsh in the same way it has been since we were children.
I know who awaits me even before I round the corner.
Her lilac hair is braided loosely down the back of her simple blouse. It’s jarring, seeing Blair look anything but lethal. Yet here she stands, face free of its usual dark makeup and clothes surprisingly plain.
“What are you doing here?” I ask as way of greeting.
She raises a dark brow. “What am I doing outside my door?”
My smile is sharp. “Why aren’t you behind it?”
“Oh, I see!” She says this with more than a hint of disdain. “You’re asking because, apparently, I’m no longer allowed to set foot outside of my own room.” A slight pout forms on her lips. “We can’t have our future queen hurting herself trying to kill me.”
I run a hand down my face, already exhausted by this conversation. “What are you doing out here, Blair? I thought Lenny gets you everything you need.”
“Not everything, unfortunately.” She sighs. “If you must know, I was sharpening my knives. You know, for throwing at little children outside my window.” Her eyes roll. “Or whatever other twisted hobbies you think I enjoy.”
“Just…” I gesture lazily to the door. “Get back in there. Please.”
“Hmm.” Her gaze travels over me. “It seems the Slummer taught you some manners. How ironic.”
“Don’t, Blair,” I warn.
“So will you share her with Kitt the rest of your life? Or find another Ordinary on the streets?”
The words have barely left her mouth before I snap.
I throw her back against the wall with nothing but my mind and the use of her borrowed Tele power. She gasps in surprise, straining slightly beneath my hold on her body. No Elite appreciates their own power being used against them, but I have little concern for her feelings at the moment.
Each step toward her pinned body is slow, deliberate. The glare she gives me is dull, seemingly unconcerned by her current situation. But when I loom over her, she fights to tilt her head up and meet my icy stare.
“Talk about her like that again,” I murmur slowly, “and you will be begging to stay locked in that room, safe from me.”
Something about her gaze gradually softens in the seconds after my threat. And that concerns me. “Shit,” she breathes, mouth gaping. Her lashes flutter as she stares up at me, equally shocked and amused. “You’re in love with her.”
I step back abruptly, releasing my hold on her and the power I’d clutched tightly in my mind. She slumps against the wall, free to move her slackened limbs. And the first thing she does is shake her head at me in disbelief. “I always knew there was something between you, but…” Her laugh is slightly crazed. “You’re completely in love with her.”
My eyes wander to the floor, chest heaving with each breath. I can’t even find a convincing enough lie to spew. I’m not even sure I could bring myself to deny it if I had to. So I stand there like an open wound, letting her examine the weakness she’s discovered.
Blair takes a single slow step toward me. When my gaze finally climbs up to her awaiting one, the shake of her head is pitying. A sharp smile settles on her lips to mirror the one I’ve seen her give since we were children. “Oh, you are fuc—”
“Prince Kai!”
Looking up, I find an Imperial standing in the center of the hall with a plate of food in each hand. Identifying his red hair immediately, I watch Lenny’s eyes flick between his Enforcer and the girl he’s meant to be guarding. He clears his throat, hurrying over with an equally rushed, “Hello, sir, it’s great to see you. Um, Blair, sweetheart, you’re meant to be in the room. Not loitering outside of it, yes?”
Her eyes roll before she’s spewing falsely sweet words, thoroughly mocking him. “Um, Lenny, my little gingersnap that I could quite literally snap in half with a single thought, Kai spotted me before I had the chance to enter the room and send my sharpened knives flying toward those who pass beneath the window.” She turns to me then, smiling sarcastically. “He loves that game. Don’t let him tell you otherwise.”
Laughing uncomfortably, Lenny shoos her toward the door. “Quite the sense of humor she’s got. Never a dull moment with this one!”
“Oh, please,” she huffs. “Don’t pretend that you like me; it will only make me work harder to—”
Lenny kicks the door shut behind her with a smile.
“—ensure you don’t,” Blair calls from the other side, voice muffled.
Alone in the hall, we stare at each other for a long moment. With a sigh, I mutter, “Keep her out of sight, all right? It could have been Paedyn that walked down this hall, and we all know what she would have done.”
Lenny nods in agreement. “Yes, sir.” He steps closer then, casting a weary glance at the door. “She can’t stay locked up forever, though. It’s not right.”
I run a hand through my hair. “I know. But Paedyn needs time.”
That’s the only explanation I offer before turning away and beginning down the hall once again. “Good luck with her.”
His response is quiet, lost to the growing gap between us as I round another corner.
