Page 86 of Reign of Betrayal

Kylo spins him around, pinning his shoulders forward to expose his spine. My shadows lash out like a whip, striking with the force of a tempest, tearing into his flesh until blood spatters the walls. His screams echo through the corridor, music to my ears. When he crumples to the ground, sobbing, Kylo holds out his left arm, smirking.

“Want me to take it, or do you want the honor?” Kylo asks, his voice darkly amused.

“I’ll do it,” I reply, drawing my sword. I swing, severing the arm in a clean cut. The guard’s head lolls as he faints, and Kylo cauterizes the wound with fire, the smell of burnt flesh filling the hallway.

“Take him to the healer,” I command, sheathing my sword. “Tell them I left him alive so everyone knows what happened here.” Kylo nods, hoisting the unconscious guard over his shoulder with a grunt and disappearing down the corridor.

When I step into the library, I find Reign standing between the towering bookshelves, her fingers running over the spines of ancient tomes, before opening one. She senses my presence and turns, her eyes widening when she sees the blood splattered across me.

“You didn’t have to kill him for threatening to whip me, Prince,” she says, her voice soft but steely.

“Oh, I didn’t kill him,” I reply, my tone flat. “But he won’t be whipping anyone ever again.” My gaze hardens. “Who whipped you before, Reign?”

Her grip tightens on the book she’s holding, and she slams it shut. The sound reverberates through the cavernous library. “That’s not up for discussion, Prince,” she says, her voice taut. She turns to walk away, but I catch her arm, my grip firm.

“Oh, but it is, Reckless,” I murmur, my voice low.

Before she can respond, Lilyana’s cheerful voice cuts through the tension. “Oh, there you are!” We both turn as she approaches, her smile faltering when she sees the blood on me.

I release Reign’s arm and whisper, “We’ll talk about this later.” Reign’s eyes flash, but she says nothing.

Lilyana’s face brightens again as she turns to Reign. “We need to discuss the ball! It’s to celebrate your victory and my name day!” Her smile fades as she glances at me, her nose wrinkling. “Luke…” she says, her tone questioning.

“Later, Lilyana,” I say, pressing my lips to the side of her head. While I walk away, I add over my shoulder, “Come find me in a bit, Lilyana. I’ll need a favor.”

Lilyana and I pick out romance books for each other before we return to my room. On the way, I think about Lukene’s actions and the blood I saw splattered in the corridor outside the library.

I can handle myself, but when I saw him and Captain Kylo, I knew they would take care of the guard for me. Lukene is such a contradiction. He pushes me away, yet his actions sometimes show he cares. I want to do things for him like he does for me, but I don’t know him well enough. He always keeps these masks in place, hiding his true self. I want so badly to see every part of him, to show him that every part of him is worthy of love.

When Lilyana and I walk into my room, I notice several bouquets of lavender on my nightstand, perfuming the air and reminding me of my father. Then I see it. On my bed is my father’s gray tunic, the one I left in my childhood home in the Drifts. It has been sewn into a pillow. Rushing to the bed, I grab the pillow and bring it to my face, inhaling deeply. His scent is long gone, but knowing it was his heals me just a bit.

I don’t know how Lukene did this, but I know it had to be him. Lilyana looks at me questioningly, and I explain how it was one of my father’s shirts.

“I wish I had a piece of my mother’s clothing…” Lilyana whispers. “I’d do the same thing. I keep her gardens blooming all year to remember her.” She places her hand on my shoulder and gives me a gentle smile.

“Well, I have to go,” she says, her face turning pink. “I have a meeting with… my… uh… father.”

“Or is it Captain Kylo?” I tease.

She laughs, rolling her eyes playfully. “Okay, you caught me. I’m meeting him for a walk in the gardens.”

“Well, have fun,” I say, sitting on my bed and cuddling the pillow.

“Tomorrow we’re going shopping for dresses after breakfast,” Lilyana says, glowing with excitement.

I cringe internally. I hate it when she buys me things. “That isn’t necessary. I’ll just wear what I wore to the last ball.”

Her face contorts in morbid disgust. “Absolutely not! It’s my name day, and you’re being presented as the champion to the royals’ closest friends.”

I sigh, long and slow, while brushing my hair out of my face. “Alright. Can we trade my earrings in for something else at the jewelry store?”

“You don’t like your earrings?” she asks, her brows furrowing.

“I love them, but I want to get Lukene something. It’s something I saw there the last time,” I confess while playing with the bottom of my tunic.

“Oh, well, you get whatever you want. It’s on the palace since you are the champion. Keep the earrings. We will stop there tomorrow.” With her final words, she leaves me to my thoughts.

Changing out of my clothes, I open my windows and let the cold breeze wash over me. I close my eyes, breathing in the fresh air. The chill caresses my skin, but it can’t cool the thoughts of Lukene running through my mind. What is he doing right now? Why does he push me away only to protect me?

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