Page 67 of A Kingdom so Crimson

"Because I made a promise long ago," he began, his voice a whisper carried on the weight of sincerity. "A vow to be a goodman, to protect, to show kindness, and I have traversed every mountain, every valley, desert, and continent to ensure it."

We gazed at each other and felt the despair of our desires to simply be who we were—without acting or having the shackles of others' dreams weighing us down.

More tears flowed freely, a poignant reminder of how deeply I yearned for the naiveness of childhood, where the belief of being loved and remembered was unquestioned.

He gently brushed away my tears, his touch soothing the rawness within. "I never knew my parents, and I've harbored resentment towards them for it. They made me believe that from the very start, I was nothing and would amount to nothing. Jesri reinforced that belief, and Calum…he never fought for me," I lamented.

I let out a frustrated exhale. "I accepted what was handed to me because I convinced myself I deserved it. No matter how much it angered me, I played the role I was expected to play. Always performing, always striving to please, and never truly being able to be who I—what I—" My words faltered, lost in the tangled web of uncertainty and longing.

His confession had stirred something deep within me, a confusing mix of hope and fear, anger and desire. It was as if all the emotions I had suppressed for so long came rushing to the surface, overwhelming me. I felt my chest tighten, my heart pounding with disbelief and yearning. The weight of his words, calling me his queen, was almost too much to bear. How could I everbeloved?

My mind raced with memories of all the times I had doubted myself, all the moments I had felt unworthy. Yet, his words chipped away at the walls I had built around my heart, threatening to expose the vulnerable core I had kept hidden for so long. Tears welled in my eyes, and I fought to keep my composure, unsure if I was ready to let someone in completely.

Levon lifted my hand to his shoulder while his other hand clasped mine, drawing me close.

We swayed together in silence, moving as the glowing river of colors surrounded us. With only the sound of our intertwined heartbeats, I found solace in his embrace, a moment of rest from the turmoil within.

"My mother used to say that the music of dance could soothe the mind and soul," he murmured softly.

His touch ignited a fire within me, warming my heart as it spread beneath my skin. I felt the strength in his hand on my back, the roughness of his calloused fingers against mine.

Leaning in, he pressed his forehead against mine, and in an instant, all the anger, hatred, and resentment I held for him melted away, replaced by a newfound understanding, a shared truth.

"I hope one day you'll discover yourself, Eliah," he whispered, his voice tender and sincere. "And perhaps your parentsdidwish the best for you. Maybe the circumstances they left you in were better than their own."

Sadness flickered within me, and I was unwilling to accept such a notion. Yet his words planted a seed of doubt, a tiny glimmer of hope that perhaps there was more to my story than I had ever dared to imagine. That I was more than all this. But how could anyone want me if even my own parents, the people who are supposed to love you unconditionally didn't even want me?

"Iwant you, Eliah Sabene," he declared huskily, drawing me closer as his hands encircled my waist.

I lifted my gaze to his, confused about how he knew just what to say, and took a deep breath, the cool air filling my lungs, its crispness a stark contrast to the heat of my racing heart. My mind raced between the desire to believe his words and the fear of what that belief might bring.

Could I trust him? Could I allow myself to believe in his words?

The warmth of his touch stirred a desperate yearning for connection and truth within me. I longed to trust him, but the weight of past betrayals and the haunting memories of twisted truths held me back, leaving me vulnerable. His eyes, filled with intensity and sincerity, seemed to promise a different future—one where I could finally be who I truly was.

We paused our swaying, the energy between us crackling like sparks dancing in the vibrant glow surrounding us. His touch sent shivers down my spine, burning a trail of warmth along my arm that seemed to set my skin ablaze. My cheeks flushed, the heat spreading to my neck and ears as his hand traced a delicate path up to my jawline.

"I don't know if I'm worth wanting," I breathed less than a whisper.

A tender smile curved his lips, his gaze unwavering as he gently lifted my chin. "Eliah," he murmured, his voice brimming with sincerity. "You're worth every journey across oceans and worlds, every moment until this one. You're worth it all."

My breath hitched as our breaths mingled. His thumb traced my lips, shooting stars into my vision as time seemed to pause. He looked down at my mouth, then back into my eyes, silently pleading, yearning. Flames surged through me, stinging my ears and cheeks as if they were alight with fire that melted away all logical sense.

He cradled my face in his strong, callused hands, each rough edge telling a story of his past sorrows and desires, all centering on me. His beautiful eyes blurred together as his lips brushed mine, setting my entire being ablaze with a fire much different from how I felt with Calum.

In an instant, his touch turned rigid, the tenderness replaced by a sudden tension that gripped his frame. With a sharp intakeof breath, he swiftly pulled away, dropping his hands as his gaze darted towards the stairs with an urgency that set my heart racing.

I followed his line of sight as my eyes locked with Kaizen's, who was radiating fury and seemed ready to attack.

23

"What in Giesha is your plan,Levon?" Kaizen's words slashed like a whip, cracking the once passionate air, each syllable dripped with venomous derision.

In an instant, Kaizen was at my side, his fingers like iron claws, as he seized my arm and thrust me toward the stairs. But before I could react, Levon intercepted him with angry determination.

"Take your hands off her," Levon growled, tearing Kaizen's grip from my arm and shielding me behind his towering frame. "I've hadenoughof your help.Go," he said, pointing back to the stairs.

Kaizen puffed an airy laugh filled with mockery. "You know I can't do that," he hissed between clenched teeth. "You'll end up being the one to kill her before the others get a chance."

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