Page 83 of A Kingdom so Crimson

Levon simply kissed my brow and guided me back through the streets and into the glowing castle that held my fate and that of a haughty king sitting on his throne.

27

Iawoke to the sound of curtains flying open and shards of sunlight piercing my closed eyes, jarring me awake with painful squints. A growl escaped my lips as Levon came into view, already dressed in a tight white tunic and long brown pants.

"Morning, my Regina," he greeted, kissing my forehead. I reluctantly sat up; my eyes were struggling to stay open, and I wanted to crawl back into bed. "Get up and dressed in your training attire. We're going for a run and some practice before the tailor arrives."

I shot him a confused look, my groggy mind struggling to process his words.

"A tailor?" I groaned, standing up and suddenly realizing I was only in my underthings. My face flushed red as Levon promptly turned around with a smirk.

I quickly reached for my pants and shirt, slipping them on with haste.

A devilish smile curled his lips as he looked over his shoulder.

"Don't you dare," I hissed as he turned back around right as I finished pulling my top down. I cursed at him, prompting him to step closer to me before quickly pivoting toward the lounging room.

"I'm not quite sure what I most enjoy you in," he purred, grabbing an apple from one of the side tables. He paused before fully exiting, "And yes, a tailor will be here to make you the grandest spectacle there ever was, though I'm not sure you could be quite as grand as you are in your nightwear," he teased, swiftly disappearing out the door right as my shoe hit the wall behind him.

The grandest spectacle.

A prize.

I inhaled deeply, letting the room's sweet scents of lemon and lavender calm my racing heart.

How was I supposed to face the king and thousands of others? How was I supposed to be something that I was not?

I walked over to the large golden vanity, running a comb through my tangled hair, evidence of my long and restless night. Salt stains marked my cheeks and neck as last night's haunting dream flooded back into my mind. My voice felt raw from repeatedly calling out to Levon, Kaizen, Calum—anyone to rescue me from the encroaching darkness that enveloped every inch of my cold, aching body.

I could still feel the phantom weight of the manacles on my ankles, wrists, and neck, the screeching and gurgling sounds echoing from the other side of the dark cell where I remained trapped. No shadowy figure could be seen, but its presence lingered; that thing—that creature with its milky white eyes snarling toward me.

I halted my thoughts before they could delve any deeper.

Control it.

Inhale.

It was only a dream.

Exhale.

A dream fromthem.

I hastily wove my hair into a messy coronet, a far cry from its usual neatness, but I welcomed the distraction to keep my mind from racing. I yearned to move, to run, to feel the weight of a sword in my hand or the impact of my knuckles against something solid.

I pushed the door open and found Levon seated at the large table, fiddling with the apple core. The lingering aroma of last night's dinner spices still hung in the air, a reminder of our late return well past midnight.

I grabbed a handful of blueberries, peeled a banana, and approached the door. Levon rose to his feet, following after me with a knowing smile. "So eager, hm?"

"I need a distraction," I confessed.

A smirk tugged at his lips as he raised his brows. I rolled my eyes even as a wildfire of sparks danced up my spine and ignited within my chest.

I quickened my pace down the hall and descended the grand staircase into the courtyard.

He started jogging toward the left side of the castle, and I followed suit. We ran along the castle's edge, circled the garden, and took a path leading to a hill scattered with trees and shrubs. My legs burned as we climbed the hill, but I welcomed the physical exertion, letting it distract me from my thoughts. I pushed myself harder, feeling my lungs squeeze with each exhale. The sun hovered just above the horizon, though its heat caused sweat to bead along my hairline.

Just as we neared the top, Levon suddenly swerved to the side, blocking my path, and unexpectedly tackled me to the ground, knocking the air from my lungs. I cursed as he let out a laugh. Our limbs tangled, and we rolled back down the hill. I shovedhim to the side and dug my heels into the ground as my foot found purchase.

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