Page 86 of King Elijah (The Zemiran Chronicles 2)

Janelle’s eyes widened, but she nodded without asking why. “Done.”

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FOR THE NEXThour, Elijah made a series of mental notes about the home and people—how they behaved toward each other. What they wore, what they ate. Then, he scanned the room and noted every door and window for an escape.

Kieran emerged through the doorway and strode toward them, his face taking on a more serious tone than when they first met.

“Alright. It’s time we discuss a few things, shall we?” Kieran said casually.

Elijah stepped forward, blocking Kieran from being able to touch Janelle.

A smile tugged at Kieran’s lips. “Hmm, interesting reaction—”

“Stop pretending you don’t know,” Elijah said.

Kieran smirked again. “The part where you love her,” Kieran said. “And I know you’ll do anything for her, won’t you?”

Love? Elijah said the word in his mind. He cared for Janelle and would fight to keep her safe, but he was unsure what love truly meant. At the same time, he was uncertain if he could give Janelle what she needed from him. But what Elijah saw from the Oracle made him realize there was more to his destiny than ruling a country.

“Do you care about anything other than power, Kieran?” Elijah asked.

“Don’t you?” Kieran said. “You’re the king of the most powerful country in our world.”

“Fuck power,” Elijah bit out. “I’d give it all up for her.”

He knew as he said it aloud that it was true. He would give up anything for Janelle, without question or doubt. Perhaps that was love, after all.

“Then do it,” Kieran said, his lip turning up. “Give it all up.”

Elijah stilled, giving her a glance before saying, “Done.”

“Don’t be a fool, Elijah!” she said. “I’m not worth everything you’ve built to protect your people! Have you gone mad?”

Just a little bit, he thought.

Kieran raised a brow. “I didn’t think it would be this easy,” he said. “Sure, the Oracle showed me everything, but you should have given a little bit of a fight.”

Elijah held his tongue, trying to avoid ruining everything he had planned. He wanted to, though. He wanted to jump forward and suck out the life from the monster before him, but he steadied his breath, slowly releasing each exhale to calm his nerves.

“Understandably, you’d want to kill me,” Kieran taunted. “But we all know what happens next.”

Kieran snapped his fingers, and a medium-built blond man came forward holding a dagger and a silver chalice, as if they had had it all prepared for that very moment.

“Just follow my lead, and we can be done here within minutes,” Kieran said, slapping his hands together. “I’ve seen it, Elijah. I’ve seen everything go as smoothly as it has so far. Let’s keep this going, shall we?”

After Kieran sliced the middle of his palm, he let the welling blood drip inside the cup. Then he wiped the blade with his shirt and handed it to Elijah.

Elijah shook his head, watching each carefully planned movement from Kieran and his people.

Everything from the moment Janelle stepped into his palace was planned by Kieran and his people. The fury for not realizing it sooner burned deep inside him, wanting to unleash itself, but he wouldn’t show it. It was too late.

“I was right,” Elijah said. “That you knew I’d do this. Not just about me handing over my army for Janelle, but you knew she and I were fated. Didn’t you?”

“You were not destined until your powers touched. Even from afar,” Kieran replied. “Until you sensed each one’s powers and the Gods pulled you together like a tightrope. At least, that’s what my Dryad showed me before I sent Janelle.” Kieran frowned. “Did I enjoy watching my Dryad’s vision of the woman I loved being fated to another? No. But unlike you, my people’s protection is far greater to me than love. So yes, I sent her to you once I saw her fate, because she was too afraid to ask the Dryad herself. I saw you overpower her when she attempted to kill you, and then the two of you were drawn to each other’s power like a moth to a flame. No matter how hard you tried to deny it. I saw each moment until this.” Kieran glanced down at the dagger still held in Elijah’s palm. “The moment you slice your own hand and make a blood oath with another of your kind.”

Elijah turned to Janelle. “It was you,” he said. “It wasn’t the Newick gem I felt during the two weeks you hid in my city. It was you. Our magic touched far before you entered the palace gates.”

Janelle’s lips parted, and she shook her head. “Please, Elijah. Don’t let this knowledge deter you from what’s right. Don’t make this oath with him. Please.”

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