Page 17 of Ruined Kingdom

Kaine’s thoughts were gentle toward me, but his actions were violent as he lifted the Prince in the air by the throat.

I was sure we would see the end of Prince Nikolai, but the sound of galloping horses surrounded us, seemingly out of nowhere. I imagined the worst-case scenario: his men were back to protect him, and Kaine would be in danger.

But when I turned, I only saw Kaine’s army led by General Eugin—the very man I’d been about to go find. Relief swept through me, and all the tightness that strained my chest dissipated.

I quickly told him about Nikolai’s men hurting creatures around the forest, and he sent his soldiers out to go put a stop to them.

He approached Kaine and the Prince with his head held high. “Would you like me to dispose of him, My King?”

Kaine growled, squeezing the Prince’s neck even tighter.

Lexi touched my arm, urging me to look away. “Close your eyes. You don’t have to watch.”

Part of me wanted to look away, but I knew I had to witness this. A part of me wanted to. Kaine was doing this for my sake.

“You think you’ve won? You still don't get it,” Nikolai choked out, his words strangled and wet. “Triumph is already mine for the taking.”

He managed to press a wiry smile to his strained face before snapping his fingers and disappearing.

I blinked a few times in the hopes that my eyes had deceived me. But he was well and truly gone.

“That damn coward,” Sharra muttered in quiet frustration.

Kaine dropped to the ground, slowly and painfully morphing back to his human form. His bare back tensed as he weathered the transformation.

I was by his side before I was able to take my next breath. “Kaine, are you all right?”

My concern was fixated on his bloodied arm, but he shrugged and reached over to caress my cheek. “Nothing to worry about, love.”

I leaned my face into his hand and smiled. “Is it too much to ask for you to stay out of trouble, at least for a little while?”

“Look who's talking. I turn my back for one minute, and your life is already in danger again.” His smile faded as his dark eyes clouded over with fear and exhaustion. “What am I going to do with you?”

“I hate to break up the little lovefest, but am I the only one wondering where that mortal with magic abilities went?” Sharra approached us with her arms crossed. At first, she appeared to be annoyed, but upon closer inspection, I could see that she was scared.

I didn't blame her. A mortal, especially one like Prince Nikolai, with powers a human shouldn’t be in possession of, was certainly a frightening thing.

“He must’ve made some sort of deal with the Fae King. But don’t worry, next time, we’ll be ready for his tricks.” Kaine brushed it off as if it was spilled milk and not a murderous, powerful royal. He pushed himself up to his feet, and I rose along with him, holding his arm to help him keep his balance. He turned his attention to General Eugin. “I want surveillance around the castle at all times. It’s clear that we’re his objective. I don’t want to be caught off guard again.”

“Of course, My King,” General Eugin said and bowed his head respectfully.

The walk back to the castle was quiet. The pain in my arm was throbbing now, which meant it had to be worse for Kaine.

I kept thinking that we should’ve pulled it out back there in the forest. There was something about the golden bolt that seemed menacing and forbidding to me.

Tieni was the first one to meet us as soon as we entered the castle. “Good Goddess! What happened to you?”

“It was the Prince from the Larose Kingdom,” Lexi offered when none of the rest of us answered quickly enough.

“I see,” Tieni said, changing her expression from confusion to solemn understanding. “That explains why you shifted and ran out of here like a bat out of the hell. I know it's not something you concern yourself with, but I would appreciate it if you brought some backup with you next time. You're lucky I told Eugin that you had left.”

Kaine gritted his teeth and forced a wry smile for Tieni. “I appreciate that.”

“That’s enough chatter. Let’s get that thing out of your arm.” Tieni motioned to the other staff members to help Kaine into the kitchen.

I followed close behind, unwilling to leave his side for a second. At this point, I might as well be tied to his hip…

Blood rushed to my face at the thought. I don’t think I’d mind that too much.

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