Page 65 of Eluvonia
Kaida’s grip on my wrist is firm, his pace relentless as he drags me through the castle halls. The shadows follow us like a living tide, twisting in the corners of my vision. His silence is louder than the echo of his boots on the stone floors, thick with something I can’t quite decipher.
I’m supposed to fight this. I should fight this.
And yet, all I can do is follow, pulse hammering in a rhythm I don’t recognize.
Behind us, Declan trails along, muttering something that sounds like a half-hearted complaint. I barely register it.
Because Kaida called me his.
And I don’t know if I hate it—or if some traitorous part of me doesn’t mind at all.
We reach a large wooden door, and Kaida shoves it open with enough force to rattle the hinges. He pulls me inside, Declan following, and slams the door shut behind us. Only then does he release me. I rub my wrist, watching as he stalks back and forth across the room like a caged predator.
Declan leans casually against the wall, arms crossed. “So, are you going to explain why you dragged her in here like a sack of potatoes, or is this your new way of bonding?”
Kaida shoots him a glare sharp enough to peel paint, but Declan only grins, clearly enjoying himself.
I stay quiet, my arms folded as I watch Kaida. His jaw works,hands flexing at his sides. Finally, he stops, turning toward me with a scowl.
“If she or Shura bothers you,” he growls, his voice rough and low, “tell me, and I’ll deal with it.”
Before I can respond, he strides past me, brushing close enough that I catch his faint scent of smoke and pine. The door creaks open, then his shadows slam it shut behind him, leaving a tense silence in his wake.
I blink at the now-empty doorway, tilting my head slightly. “Well,” I mutter, “that was dramatic.”
Declan bursts into laughter, his warm, easy chuckle filling the room. He steps closer, clapping a hand on my shoulder. “He has an… odd way of showing he cares,” he says with a lopsided grin. “Think of it as his version of a hug.”
I snort. “If that was a hug, I’d hate to see what a kiss looks like.”
Declan grins wider, giving my shoulder a reassuring squeeze before letting go. For a moment, his gaze softens, and there’s something unspoken in the air between us. “Thank you for today,” I say quietly, the words carrying more weight than I intend.
He bows dramatically, one hand sweeping out. “Always at your service, m’lady.”
I roll my eyes, but a small smile tugs at my lips. For a moment, we just look at each other, the firelight from the hearth dancing in his golden eyes. Then he clears his throat and takes a step back.
“I’m going to find the big oaf,” he says, the grin returning to his voice. “Make sure he’s not frying anyone alive.” With a wave over his shoulder, he heads for the door, his laughter trailing behind him.
The door clicks shut, leaving me alone. I exhale, the tension in my shoulders easing just slightly as I glance around Kaida’s room. My gaze lands on the bathroom door—it’s my favorite place in this luxurious prison cell, the only place I can truly let my guard down.
Without hesitation, I head inside. The marble floors are cool under my feet, the oversized shower calling to me. I turn the knob, and steam begins to fill the room, beckoning me. Stripping off my clothes, I step under the hot spray, sighing as the water cascades over me.
It’s a balm for my body and mind, washing away the weight of the day. The grime, the tension, the echoes of Seraveille’s shrill voice—it all spirals down the drain. I let my head tilt back, water soaking my hair and trickling down my spine as the sound surrounds me.
Kaida’s voice cuts through the haze of my thoughts, clear as if he were standing right here:“She is mine.”The way he said it… It wasn’t just possessive; it was layered, deliberate.
A warning. A claim.A promise.
A quiet laugh slips out as I run a hand through my hair. “Dragons,” I mutter under my breath, shaking my head. “Always so Intense.”
Chapter 26
AERIS
The quiet murmur of the castle fills the hall as I make my way toward the training room. My mind lost in the maze of thoughts that seem to plague me endlessly. I’m rehearsing a mental list of things to improve in training today—my aim with the bow, my stance, maybe even the rhythm of my breathing. That’s when Seraveille appears around the corner, her presence as unexpected as it is unwelcome.
I stop short, nearly colliding with her. She smiles—a predator’s smile, all teeth and venom.
“Well, hello… Fae,” she purrs, her voice dripping with mockery.
