Page 56 of A Kingdom so Crimson

He laughed, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "You look good up there," he mused, his words stoking my rage even further. I swung again, but he caught my hand mid-air, and before I knew it, he twisted us around, pinning me beneath him. His weight pressed down on me, his grip like iron as he trapped my arms above my head and his legs immobilizing mine.

Kaizen licked his swelling lip, a dark grin spreading across his face. "You never learn, do you?" he taunted, his hair falling into his face, his hood now down.

"Get off me," I hissed through gritted teeth.

"I'd rather not," he purred, his grin turning feral and his eyes gleaming with a sickly pleasure.

I dug my heels into the rocky ground, struggling to break free, but before I could, Kaizen was suddenly yanked off me.

"Get off of her, you prick!" Calum roared, his voice seething with rage, his upper lip curling in disgust. He crouched down to help me up, and though surprised by his sudden anger, I accepted his hand in shock.

Kaizen got to his feet, his fury radiating like the sun, scorching everything in its path. The tension between him and Calum crackled in the air as they locked eyes in a deadly stare. Calumtook a step forward, and I quickly placed a hand on his chest, pushing him back.

"Cal, stop," I ordered, my gaze darting to Kaizen, who was glaring at Calum with a hatred that seemed even deeper than what he held for me. I raised a hand to him, stepping between the two of them. "Cal, go back inside," I urged, trying to calm him down and not wanting him to get hurt.

His golden eyes met mine, and I silently pleaded with him to let it go. The tension in his chest softened as he clasped my hand over his heart, pulling me closer to him.

"You're coming with me," Calum commanded, wrapping an arm around my back, his grip firm as he tried to lead me away. I resisted, struggling against his hold and desperate for a moment tobreathe—to get away from everyone.

"Get your hands off her!" Kaizen growled, his voice like thunder as he stepped forward, his anger rippling through the trees around us.

Calum halted, his hand dropping from my back as he turned to face him. Without hesitation, Calum lunged at Kaizen, slamming him to the ground. His fists rained down, each punch fueled by raw, unbridled fury. It was as if Kaizen was letting it happen, a twisted smile playing on his lips between the blows. Panic surged through me as I lunged at Calum, my nails scraping at his arms and shoulders as I screamed for him to stop. As much as I despised Kaizen, I didn't want to see him torn apart like this.

"Calum!" I screamed again, but he shoved me back, sending me stumbling to the ground in a huff. That moment of distraction was all Kaizen needed as his eyes met mine in a rage. With a powerful kick to Calum's chest, he sent him sprawling to the ground, gasping for breath. Both men quickly got to their feet, their rage like wildfire and ready to consume everything.

I scrambled to my feet and threw myself between them with outstretched arms. "Enough!" I shouted, my voice echoingthrough the trees. My gaze flicked to Kaizen—his lip was split, and a dark bruise was already blooming on his cheekbone.

"Who in Tyran are you?" Calum spat with anger, standing up straighter as he brushed the dirt from his tunic and stepped protectively beside me, not knowing that Kaizen would never hurt me.

Kaizen let out a low, mocking laugh. "I could ask you the same question," he sneered, the air crackling with tension. He touched his bleeding lip, then spat on the ground with disdain.

Calum's jaw tightened, his fists clenching. "Because she came here, you think you can just show up and own her like somepet?"

Kaizen's expression darkened, his gaze locking onto Calum's with deadly intensity. "And you think you're the puppeteer controlling all the strings here?" He narrowed his eyes, "She's not yours to control."

Calum's temper flared, and he took a step forward, his voice low and threatening. "Say that again, and I'll make sure you regret it."

Kaizen leaned in slightly, his tone dripping with defiance. "Go ahead, try. But we both know how this ends, and it won't be you coming out on top."

"Both of you, stop this!" I shouted, shoving Calum back with all the force I could muster, still feeling rather weak from being in acomafor a week. "Go, Cal!I'll be right behind you," I hissed, pushing him again, desperate to defuse the situation.

Calum resisted, his gaze locked onto Kaizen with a burning hatred until he saw the plea in my eyes. With a frustrated growl, he rolled his eyes and turned away, gritting his teeth as he shot Kaizen one last glare before stalking down the path.

"What the hell?" I snapped at Kaizen, who had closed the distance between us with deliberate steps. "Youknewhe was watching," I accused, my voice trembling with a mix of fury andfrustration. I could see right through his intentions, the way he played the situation to provoke Calum—to provokemelike he always did.

Kaizen straightened, his posture confident as he took another step closer, his presence almost suffocating. "Go on," he rasped, his voice low and rough. "Levon's waiting for you." His words were a dismissal as if the whole confrontation had been nothing more than a game to him. He turned his back on me and stalked into the forest, his movements fluid and unapologetic.

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as I watched him vanish into the dense bramble of trees. Every fiber of my being wanted to scream, to lash out at all of this, but I forced myself to hold it together. With a deep breath, I turned and headed toward the estate, dreading to have LevonandCalum in the same room. And worse, facing Levon after whatever happened between us.

I heard Calum's voice echoing off the floors before I turned the corner into the dining area. I found him raking his fingers through his hair, Elise seated at the table in a muted red dress, and Levon gazing out the window with his back to me.

"Eliah!" Elise rasped as our eyes met, her face emitting a wave of confusion before she came in for an embrace. "We were all so worried. How are you feeling?"

I gave her a smile. "Fine, truly. I feel fine." It wasn't a lie. Physically, I felt strong, as if I could run for miles. But mentally, I was drained and apprehensive about whatever had happenedbetween Levon and me, and now knowing that I was to meet the king within the week.

Cal eyed me wearily before looking at Levon, who stood frozen before the large window. I gave him a hesitant nod, still feeling uneasy after what transpired and feeling all too much like hewashere on watch duty for Jesri, pulling the strings.

"May I have a moment alone with him?" I murmured, addressing Elise and Calum, with my gaze shifting towards Levon. Elise nodded, offering me another quick embrace.

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