Page 26 of A Kingdom so Crimson

He rose to his feet. "Fine. You want to dance?" he threatened, flicking his fingers toward me before settling into a defensive stance.

Enveloped in rage, I charged at him, propelling myself over his shoulder and twisted in his grasp as I tightly entwined my legs around his neck. Pain erupted in my leg, surging up into my hip as I threw my body back, pulling him down with me.We slammed into the floor in a chaotic tangle of limbs and rage, gasping for air to re-enter our lungs.

I tightened my grip on the dagger. He rose to his feet first, quickly seizing both my wrists and forcing me to stay on the ground. I kneed him in the groin, and he loosened his grip with a gasp of pain. Seizing the opportunity, I jammed my shoulder into his chest, shoving him off. I got to my feet and threw myself onto him, pinning him down.

"Eliah," he rasped again, this time with a pang of sadness that my heart wouldn't let in—couldn't let in.

I flipped the dagger into my other hand, ready to slice through skin when he took hold of my leg, digging into my already tender thigh. I cried out, losing grip on the dagger that clattered to the ground. He got up, swiftly dragging me by my feet. I tried to get out and grab ahold of anything to prevent him from pulling me further.

"Eliah! Enough of this!" he spat as I twisted my body towards him with enough force to kick my strong leg free, smacking him in the face. He stepped back, blood dripping from his already crooked nose, and held up a hand.

My breathing heaved as I sat still. My eyes glazed, forcing the claws of my anger to calm and instead sent silent tears lining my eyes. Instant regret threaded through me like a roaring river, pulling me underneath. I moaned out in a whimper and sank to the ground.

He wiped the blood from his nose and smoothed back his black hair before returning to me. Despite my efforts, tears threatened to spill as he knelt down and enveloped me in his firm, comforting arms.

"Eliah," he whispered, calming my racing heart and unleashing the watergates. "Don't cause yourself more pain before your journey even starts."

I sat immobile, trapped beneath his embrace, and sobbed. Emotions overflowed, engulfing me until all I could do was inhale his familiar scent and allow him to cradle me like the father I longed for—the father who never left me in Jesri's grasp.

"Eliah, let this anger be the force to make you stronger. Don't let it control you," he whispered quietly and quickly between gasps of breath. "Whatever this Match will be, it will push you beyond what you have previously done.LetSir Alder teach you. Let him be your guide so you can finally be free to be who you want to be.Trust him, Eliah,"he stopped, holding back his emotions.

He let go, forcing me to look at him as he held onto my arms. "I tried Eliah. I tried to testify for you, but Jesri has his ways.Don't let him win. Be your own person and win this damned Match." His eyes blazed with compassion, evoking memories of my childhood, of him simply being there, supporting me, nurturing my strength, and even sneaking me candies. "You are capable of extraordinary things, my girl."

He held me a little longer as I let the raw emotions simmer off, feeling the dwindling fire deep within me burn to a sizzle. He helped me to my feet as I embraced him again, this time holding him tight around his neck.

"Thank you, Darius."

Thank you for being the father I always longed for. For never letting me go. For being there when I needed it.

I swiftly let go and walked away, not wanting to meet his eyes again before more tears would crumble me whole.

11

In the days leading up to my departure, time seemed to blur together as I eagerly anticipated escaping this place and being rid of the Archenon men. I packed the few dresses and training clothes Jesri permitted me to bring, endured his stern lectures on proper court etiquette, and meticulously cleaned every corner of my room before he allowed me food.

I took a long look out my window, imprinting the colorful woods in my mind, hoping that wherever I went, I could feel as athomeas I did when its vibrant beauty embraced me.

Below, the hustle of servants and guards I had grown up with lined the estate walls, prompting me to depart.

I descended the stairs and stepped out the estate doors, greeted by welcoming voices. Levon stood beside his ebony carriage, caressing his bay mare, nodding briefly at me before conversing with his footmen. I took a deep breath, the humid air filling my lungs and propelling me forward with readiness.

Against the wall, Darius stood tall, clad in his usual training leathers. He embraced me tightly before heading off with his men, leaving no trace of the blunt emotions I knew he washolding back. He gave me a wink and nod before Aoife threw her arms around me, crying into my hair.

"Don't forget me," she sobbed with a tease. "Be brave, my dear." She held my shoulders, her gaze piercing. "You're going to do amazing things, Eliah!"

I blinked back tears, thanking her for everything. She released me with a gentle pat on my cheeks before I approached Calum, standing tall and noble.

Although my anger towards him had subsided along with the tears shed after the quarrel with Darius, an unspoken tension lingered between us.

I had only caught glimpses of him throughout the week. He never allowed me to speak before slipping away, veering down another hallway, or leaving before dawn to avoid me.

I could sense that he was aware of the book I had burned, particularly after Jesri uncovered the makeshift fire in my room, causing a commotion for all to hear. Calum's response was uncharacteristically muted—he neither demanded an explanation nor offered one himself. His silence, a departure from his usual demeanor, left me bewildered and on edge, the uncertainty gnawing at me like an itch I couldn't scratch.

However, the only words I heard from him were behind the closed doors of Jesri's study two days ago as they argued over my departure, etching a relentless memory in my mind.

"It's unwise to let her out of our sight with everything happening! Why send her now? And with him!" Calum's voice boomed, causing the wall I leaned against to tremble.

"Enough, boy!" Jesri's voice thundered, reverberating through the halls and halting even the servants in their tracks. "We had an agreement! What's done is done, and I will tolerate no further discussion."

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