Page 170 of Enchanted Kingdom
She smiled at Keir, adding, “You haven’t slept over for far too long.” The words were delivered not just to him, but because she now knew I stood there. They were speared arrows aimed and delivered directly to my heart. She finished her little revelation by leaning in to kiss Keir.
To give him credit, he moved her arms and took a step back. “I saidno, Aiyana.”
I snapped my attention back to the king, unable to stop the tears that were building in my eyes. “Understood, Your Grace.”
Keir must have heard my voice as he spun toward me. “Jorah?”
I ignored him and smiled at the king. “Are we done with this lesson now, Your Majesty? I believe it is one I have already learned since coming here.”
His eyebrows were up. “Not bad. I am impressed.”
“What did you expect? My wailing and throwing things?” I asked.
He shrugged. “Well, yes.”
“Father?” Keir snapped. “What the hell are you up to now?”
I looked at Keir, trying to tell him with a glance to calm down. “I’m all right. It’s okay.”
He shook his head as he approached us. “No, it’s not. He isn’t supposed to meddle in the Assemblages.”
I smiled at Keir, though those tears were still there. I didn’t know how long I would be able to keep them there until the dam breeched. I couldn’t yet see his magic flaring, but I could somehow feel it. I reached up a hand to his cheek. “I’ll see you later? After you’ve finished here?”
“Jorah,” he said gently. “Please.”
“It’s okay,” I lied. “I’ll see you soon, Your Grace.”
And with that, I spun to leave.
CHAPTER45
Owen, as if sensing my composure was melting, hurried me to the elevator a hallway down and got me out of there as quickly as possible. It turned out we weren’t far at all from my old room, but now that I was staying in Keir’s wing, we had a bit of a walk.
As soon as he clicked the door shut to Keir’s wing, I slumped to the floor in front of the fireplace.
I gasped, trying to breathe in air, but couldn’t.
The king had wanted to use Aiyana and I against one another to teach each other lessons, just like he’d done with Keir and Krew. He was so busy pitting us against one another he thought we wouldn’t realize the real enemy.
Him.
He was such a vile man. I didn’t have accurate enough words for what he was. He had set it all up. He wanted me to see Aiyana and Keir. He wanted an outburst like the one I was currently having. Just so he could punish me for it however he saw fit.
I was over these games.
I was over it all.
And the worst part? The worst part was the dagger that Keir had placed in my back long ago. Now that I could see the depth of the wound to see how bad it truly was, I was bleeding out even faster.
Keir had slept with Aiyana. Maybe not recently, but the truth of the matter was that while he was supposed to be trying to earn my trust by not kissing the others, at some point he’d done a whole lot more than kiss Aiyana. And not cared enough to tell me so I didn’t have to find out like that.
“Breathe,” Owen demanded as he put his arms around me. “Please breathe.”
“I—” I shook with rage and tears. “Can’t.”
Owen rested the side of his head on mine. “I’m sorry, honey. I’m so sorry.”
Every time I thought I would catch a breath, another wave of anger hit fresh all over again, driving the breath away from my lips.
